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hworkman
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

My line-items typically require long descriptions. When I have several of them listed on the same estimate or invoice, they run together visually making it hard to read. For example, a typical estimate includes a line-item for “design” with a long description, then “photo retouching” with another long description, then “editing” with another long description. The descriptions of these three things run together visually into one text block with only the pricing column on the right marking the separations. My work-around is to skip lines in the form but QB fills in the blank line with “0.00” in the “total” column which is visually annoying and sometimes confusing to my customer. Is there any way to just add some visual separation? It could be space, a line, or even just shading the text area of every other line-item.


Solved
Best answer December 10, 2018

Best Answers
Rustler
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

In windows, I am not sure it will work in mac, in the item description at the end of the last word, hit the return (enter) key two times and save, then try it

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23 Comments 23
Rustler
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

In windows, I am not sure it will work in mac, in the item description at the end of the last word, hit the return (enter) key two times and save, then try it

hworkman
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

This worked (on the Mac version)! It adds one line of space between one item and the next. I'd tried doing a single return in the past which of course doesn't work; I never thought to try a double return.
SkinnyRaven
Level 8

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Return should work in the description field. Between line items command+Y inserts a line.
melonrouge
Level 1

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

This is not working on mine (windows), when saving, system always delete the additional lines...
qbteachmt
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Just Skip Down a blank line; or, click on a line and use Edit menu to see the Insert Line command (Ctl + Insert key) to insert blank Lines. Using the Enter key in Description is like Paragraph, not New Line.
wavellan
Level 1

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

On a Mac, to enter more data in the description field on another line for the same item, click OPTION + the RETURN key.  This will add a line much like you would do if you were writing a paragraph
IntuitBrooks
Level 9

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

In the description you can just hit return and it will enter a new line.  But skipping a line should work, too.  QuickBooks Mac doesn't enter a $0 on the line if it is blank. I just double checked.
qbteachmt
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Skipping a line = leaving a blank row. Hitting return in the Description = a Line Break in that same row of that item you already listed (like Paragraphing that description). They might look alike, but they do work a bit differently.
ceje
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

I had the same problem. My solution was to open notepad, press the enter key (which inserts a CR LF) which moves the cursor to the next line. Then select and copy the CR LF just entered (even though it appears as nothing) with the Cntl-C and then go to my QB's invoice and Cntl-V at the place I want the new line inserted.
IntuitBrooks
Level 9

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

cejescott - sounds like you are on a Windows machine.
ceje
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

You are correct... I use windows
qbteachmt
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

All you need to do is press Enter, while in the one line for the item, to get a Line Break. You don't have to Copy and Paste from somewhere else.
ceje
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

I wish that was how it worked for me. On a new invoice, in the "Description" field, when I type some text and then press enter, it jumps to the "Price Each" field. Maybe there is a setting that can change what the enter key does and I have it set wrong. And then again, maybe it is my version of QuickBooks Pro 2012 which has the problem. I know it's extremely old but it does what I need, and can live with my workaround. But, I would dearly appreciate any insight you might have on the issue... Thanks
qbteachmt
Level 15

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

@cejescott
"and then press enter, "

You Control the behavior; Edit menu > Preferences, General, the My Preferences tab (this program loaded on this computer). Here you control if Enter Key Moves Between Fields.
CC1993
Level 1

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

When trying to be able to add lines in the Address field of an Invoice, pressing ENTER simply doesn't work.  Neither does it help in Preferences to set Enter to change to a new field: that only takes you out of the field you are trying to add a line to! The only work-around I have found is to add spaces, then double check the print preview until Quickbooks (somewhat arbritrarily in my experience) "decides" that if there finally are enough spaces to create a new line. I would MUCH rather see Quickbooks allow Ctrl-Enter or Shift-Enter to create a new line in the Address field instead of this, but I've found nothing else that works.

 

IamjuViel
QuickBooks Team

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

I appreciate the steps you've provided, @CC1993.

 

Adding space on the address field improves readability. Currently, the ability to add lines and spaces automatically is not yet available. What you can do is to customize the font style and size on the invoice. Changing the font style and size of the invoice enhances readability.

 

Here's how:

  1. Open the invoice.
  2. Click the Formatting tab.
  3. Select Customize Data Layout.
  4. From the Additional Customization window, click the Layout Designer.
  5. Double-click on either Bill To/ Ship To field.
  6. From the Properties pop-out window, click the Font button.
  7. Choose the Font Style and Size you want to.
  8. Click Ok. 6.gif

Here's a sample invoice with a customize address font size:

 

7.gif

 

You can read through this article for more detailed instructions: Use and customize form templates.

 

On the other hand, I understand how beneficial this feature for you and your business. I'd personally relay this to our Product Developers for consideration in our future updates.

 

Also, you can stay tuned to blog for the latest product updates and feature releases: Firm of the Future.

 

Feel free to swing by here in the Community if you have other questions. I'm always here to help.

ceje
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

@qbteachmt: I know this is a really really late response, but I just looked at this thread again and saw your response. I tested it out on my QB Pro 2012 and it worked like a charm. So easy. Thanks for your help with a great solution. Best regards.

 


@qbteachmt wrote:
You Control the behavior; Edit menu > Preferences, General, the My Preferences tab (this program loaded on this computer). Here you control if Enter Key Moves Between Fields.

 

cyruscontrols
Level 3

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Just in-case it helps anyone out, I found that if I add a new line then paste the Unicode character U+2800 found in the link below into the description field, it will add a space. I can do this without putting a value into the fields to the right so it just shows up blank.

Works on Quickbooks online Essentials using Windows.

https://www.compart.com/en/unicode/U+2800

 

 

Chau
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Thanks. This works.

Add a blank line and type ALT+2800. This will add a blank space.

squirleyanne
Level 1

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Hold the alt key when pressing enter for a new line in the description field :-)

Treasures Of The World
Level 2

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Yes mine does the same, it delets the added blank line i have inserted...so annoying as my invoice is confusing to read and it is all bunched together..

 

Online payments and processing
Level 1

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

What field do we need to be in to use Alt+2800?

Kurt_M
QuickBooks Team

How do I add space or lines between items on invoices?

Thanks for joining us here in the thread.

 

Know we want to ensure we're providing the necessary details that you need to get through this situation. That said, can you tell us more about your query? Are you trying to perform the Alt+2800 inside QuickBooks Online (QBO) in the Invoice page?

 

Please don't hesitate to comment below so we can respond as soon as possible. Keep safe.

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