Why do checks have category and item details? Why does item details only show me 8 of over 100 products/services? Why, just why?! What is QBO trying to do?

Hello Suzannek1,

Welcome to the Community. I can clarify things about writing checks in QuickBooks Online.

The Write check feature in QBO works the same as the Desktop version. Category details are equivalent to the Expenses tab, which allows you to select accounts.

You use the Category section if you need to select a bank account, expense account, asset account, etc., and post the expense directly to that account. It's not necessary to enter details in both sections when entering a check.

If you prefer classifying the expenses by specific items, then use the Item details part only. Here are some sample screenshots showing the similarities between the two platforms:

Also, there are many ways to handle bills to be paid later and bills to be paid immediately using bills, checks, or expenses. I've attached an article you can use to learn about the difference between these three in QuickBooks Online:

Comment below if you need more assistance writing a check in QuickBooks Online. We'll be sure to get back to you. Have a great day.

It is not the same as desktop when I switched a little over a year ago.  I could write a check with an accounting code from item liste, include a rate @ amount.  Now this is split between the two options.  the Item details does not include my products/services list.  The Category option does not have a rate break down.  But I can't use both.  I would like to write a check using my accounting codes or product list - which item does not - and have it be at a rate.  Example.  We receive commissions that we keep 10% of.  I would like to write a check to the client using our commission income code and do 90% of overall commission for client visibility.  I used to do this in desktop.  I cannot do it in QBO.

Welcome back, and thank you for adding more details, suzannek1.

In QBO, you can write a check and add categories with item codes. However, you cannot use items codes on products and services.

As for adding a commission with a breakdown that indicates the portion for you and your customer, while only displaying one account, this can be achieved trough bundle items. With this, you can group commission items together into a bundle, and set that only the bundle item name will show on checks.

I understand that there are functionalities in QuickBooks Desktop that are not yet available in QBO, particularly regarding how items can be represented on check transactions. For this reason, I'm encouraging your to send feedback to our engineers. This way, they can create some changes in future updates.

1. Click on the Gear icon.
2. Choose Feedback.
3. Enter a summary of your feedback and choose Next.

If you have other questions in mind, feel free to go back to this thread, Take care and have a good one