Is there a way to import a multi-line ITEMDESCRIPTION in an invoice CSV file? The file has 5 separate lines in the column but when it imports, the lines run together.

Hello there, kobrie. Yes, there's a way to import a multiple-line item description on the invoice in QuickBooks Online. Let me help you achieve this. 

Importing multiple invoices at once is possible in QuickBooks Online, but there are things you should keep in mind. You can only import a maximum of 100 invoices at a time with a 1,000-row limit per spreadsheet. You can also import with single or multiple line items. 

QuickBooks will solely rely on the data provided in your CSV file during the import process. Follow the correct mapping and remove any zero amount if you don't want it to be visible when opening the invoice.

To import an invoice with multiple descriptions, you'll need to add another row with the same invoice number and enter other descriptions in the ItemDescription column. 

Please refer to the attached screenshot for visual reference.

You can also read the common questions about importing data for more in-depth information. 

Additionally, QuickBooks allows you to customize your invoices to make them look unique and professional. 

As always, I'm here to help whenever you require assistance importing and managing your invoices to QuickBooks Online. You can utilize the reply button below to enter your queries. 

Thanks for the response. The issue is if I put each line of the description on its own line on the invoice it shows a zero in the amount fields next to each line (each item doesn't have a billed amount). Your screenshots do not show the zeros. My goal is to have several lines of description on one invoice without showing any amount next to each line. It would be nice if QB didn't print $0.00 when there is no amount entered on the invoice.

Allow me to chime in and guide you on how we can remove the zero in the amount field on your invoice, kobrien4.

In QuickBooks Online (QBO), you can add multiple lines of description on one invoice. In the old layout, if the lines have a 0.00 value, you can manually take out the zero. I'll add a visual reference below. 



When you delete the zero manually, the amount field will become empty.

However if you're using the new invoice experience, the 0.00 can't be manually removed.

Moreover, to make your sales forms personalized and professional-looking, you can check out this resource: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

This thread's still open, so feel free to add a reply if you have other concerns about your invoices. My team and I are always here to assist you.  

Manually deleting the zero amount does not work for me. I delete it and it gets added back in. I'm using QBO.

I've tried to manually remove the zero amount but it doesn't work for me. I delete it and it gets added back it. I'm using QBO.

Thanks for following up with the Community, kobrien4.
 

I tested this myself in our test drive account and can confirm if your Amount field for line items on invoices is left completely blank, when printing, it will display a "T".
 

Here's an image showing my experience:


 

I can certainly understand how an ability to print invoices with blank line item Amount fields could be useful and have submitted a suggestion about it as of today.
 

You can also submit your own feature requests while signed in.
 

Here's how:

1. Use the Gear icon, then go to Feedback.
2. Enter your suggestion(s) in the Have feedback? window.
3. If necessary, attach a file with your Camera icon.
4. Select Next.
   
   

Your feedback's definitely valuable to Intuit. It will be reviewed by our Product Development team and considered in future updates. You can stay up-to-date with the latest news about your product by reviewing Intuit's Product Updates webpage.
 

As a workaround, you can export invoices as PDFs and customize them further outside of QuickBooks.
 

Please don't hesitate to send a reply if there's any questions. Have a great Tuesday!

When I print, it has 0.00 (see screenshot). You must be using a different version than I am. My original question was regarding multiple lines in the product description column; is there a tag or code that can be in the CSV file that will force link breaks when it's imported (instead of running togther)?

I submitted feedback on this issue quite a while ago. To me it makes sense to not print $0.00 or at the very least, have it be an option in the company settings (Do you want to print zero amounts?).

Looks like there isn't an easy way for me to import invoices and have them look good.

Thanks.

Let me shed some light on printing invoices and whether you can add a tag or code in the CSV file so it will force a break when it's imported into QuickBooks Online, kobrie. 

We appreciate you taking the time to send feedback to our product development team. We value your suggestions and ideas that help improve our product.  Please know that when printing invoices with the new and old layout, the 0.00 will still be visible as another line item.

Meanwhile, you can insert a line break in a line item of your CSV file, but QuickBooks will still merge the descriptions when imported. In the meantime, you can add an identifier. 

See the attached sample screenshot for visual reference.
 

If you want the functionality to separate the descriptions when importing your invoices, you can send feedback to our product development team. They'll carefully review your idea and may consider it for future updates. 

Moreover, to keep track of your invoices, it's essential that you record any payments received from your customers. By marking invoices as paid, you can ensure that your financial records are accurate and up-to-date. 

You can return here anytime for additional information about importing and printing invoices. I'm always here to back you up. 

Inserting a linebreak worked perfectly fine for me up until April 16. We create multiple lines in the ItemDescription field using a linefeed character (ASCII 10) in our CSV import file (generated by our proprietary info management software). Since the April 16, the linefeeds are replaced by spaces once imported into QBO. Using a delimiter like a hyphen as suggested is both unsightly and untenable because we already use hyphens in our descriptions.

Not sure why this behaviour has changed--perhaps something to do with the new invoice experience (which we don't have)? Whatever the reason, can it please be corrected? We don't have time to manually adjust every invoice; importing is supposed to expedite things, not slow it down!

Thank you for raising your invoice concern here in the Community, Henk.

Dealing with unexpected issues in a previously smooth process can be challenging. Let me provide some clarity on why line feeds are being replaced with spaces for imported invoices. 

We've received similar cases or reports about this matter. In the meantime, sign in to your company using incognito mode or a private window. This is to determine if a webpage is causing the change from line feeds to spaces in QBO (imported invoices). 

Below are the shortcut keys for each browser:

• Google Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
• Mozilla Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Safari: Command + Shift + N
  
  

Once you're logged in, import the sales forms again and check the line feeds. If this works, clear the cache and cookies to remove outdated files and optimize the browser's performance. Additionally, utilizing a different supported browser can be a great alternative to enhance your browsing experience.

If none of these suggestions work, I advise reaching out to our QuickBooks Online (QBO) Care Team to subscribe to the notification list for impacted users. 

To learn more about adding specific information to your sales forms and tailor the look to add branding to your business, explore this article to learn more about the process: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

Furthermore, these links will take you to our self-help articles where you can find resources and solutions for questions about managing sales transactions, processing payments, modifying sales forms, and other customer-related tasks:

• Sales and customers
• Invoices and payments
  
  

Keep in touch if you still run into any hurdles importing your invoices and have other product-related concerns or questions. I'll get back to make sure you're well taken care of, Henk.

A support case was opened for this problem, and I'm wondering how to track progress? So far the behaviour hasn't changed. Thanks!

Hi there, Henk.

To get an update on the progress of your case, you can reach out to our Customer Support team. Just provide them with your case number, and they will be able to securely access your account and check the status of your case.

To contact QuickBooks Online support, please follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Click on the (?) Help icon in the top-right corner of the screen and select Contact Us from the Search menu.
3. Choose the topic for your contact from the list of options provided.
4. You'll now be provided options on how to connect to our Customer Support.

You can find more information about the different types of support we offer and their availability by checking out the QuickBooks Online Support article.

Moreover, here's a guide to help you set your company preferences to process payments for invoices electronically: Take and process payments in QuickBooks Online with QuickBooks Payments. 

Feel free to reach out if you need further information about your account. I'm always glad to help in any way I can. Have a wonderful day!