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QuickBooks Reports Not Showing Memo or Description? FIXED

display a memo or description in the quickbooks reports
display a memo or description in the quickbooks reports

However, if you face an error while running reports via QODBC, we need to resolve that first.

1: Clearing the Caches and Cookies

Excessively stored cookies and caches in the browser can cause issues when memos or descriptions are shown in the reports. So, let’s clear the browser’s cache and Intuit-specific cookies.

browsers

Depending upon the browser you use, follow the steps mentioned below to clear the caches:

Firefox 
  • In Firefox, click on the Menu button and choose Settings.
  • From the left of your screen, select Privacy & Security.
  • Now, click Clear Data in the Cookies and Site Data.
  • Unmark the Cookies and Site Data checkbox. 
  • Make sure the Cached Web Content checkbox is marked, and then click on the Clear button. 
  • To save the changes you made, close the Settings window. 
Google Chrome 
  • Open your Chrome browser and click on the More icon. Then, select Clear browsing data.
  • Now, choose the time range of which caches you want to remove; such as: Last hour or All time.
  • Select the type of information you want to clear, such as caches, and then click Clear Data.
Safari for Mac
  • Open the Safari app on your Mac and choose History.
  • Now, select Clear History and then click the pop-up menu. 
  • Select the time period in which you want to clear the data. 
  • Once done, close the window, and the changes will be saved automatically. 
Microsoft Edge
  • Tap on Settings and more in the Microsoft Edge browser and then choose Settings.
  • Further, choose the Privacy, search, and Services option.
  • Under Clear browsing data, click on Clear browsing data now. Then, click on Choose what to clear.
  • Choose a time range from the dropdown menu of which you want to remove the data under Time Range.
  • Lastly, hit the Clear Now button. 

Let’s clear the Intuit-specific cookies from the browser you use: 

Google Chrome 
  • In Google Chrome, click on the More ⋮ icon and select Settings
  • Go to Privacy and Security and choose Cookies and other site data.
  • Now, select See all cookies and site data and then type “Intuit” into the search bar to find the Intuit-specific cookies.
  • To remove these cookies, select Remove all shown or click on the Trash icon.
  • Once done, restart the Chrome browser for changes to take effect. 
Mozilla Firefox 
  • Select the Menu icon at the top right corner of your screen. 
  • Go to Settings and then choose Privacy & Security.
  • Click on Manage Data under Cookies and Site Data. 
  • In the search bar, type “Intuit” and press the Enter key to find cookies. 
  • Now, select Remove all Shown and then choose Save Changes
  • Finally, restart Mozilla Firefox to make sure the changes are saved. 
Safari 
  • Open your Safari browser and then click on Safari beside the Apple icon at the top left of your screen. 
  • Go to Preferences and choose the Privacy option. Then, click on Manage Website Data.
  • In the search bar, type “Intuit” and press Enter to find the cookies. Then, click on Remove All.
  • Now, hit Remove Now and then click Done.

2: Open the Browser in Private Window 

Here’s how to use the private browsing mode to open QBO: 

open the browser in private window 
  • Google Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N 
  • Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P 
  • Safari: Control + Option + P 
  • Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + P 
3: Ensure You Have Added Both the Memo and Description in the Report

Memo and Description in reports are two different things. You use Description for line items while the Memo adds notes to the whole transaction. 

quickbooks memo and description in reports

Therefore, you need to make sure that you have added both the Memo and Description to the Report.

4: Running the Transaction List by Date

Let’s run the Transactions List by Date report to make the Memo Visible on QuickBooks: 

  • In QBO, go to the Reports menu. 
  • From the Transactions dropdown menu, select Transaction List by Date to run the report datewise. 
 transaction detail by account
  • Now, enter the correct reporting period and select Customize. Then, click on Filter.
  • Move to the Transaction Type dropdown and mark the Check checkbox.
  • Once done, click on Run Report.
5: Manually Add/Edit the Description in the CSV File

If you still find the QuickBooks reports not showing Memo or Description, you will need to manually edit the CSV file.

Therefore, when you export the banking transactions into a CSV file, open it and edit the description before you upload it to QuickBooks Online.

Let us see how you can edit the description in both cases – if your account is connected to online banking and if it is not.

  1. If your account(s) is connected to online banking 
  • Click on Bookkeeping Transactions and choose Bank Transactions.
  • Now, tap on the blue tile for the account to which you wish to upload the transactions.
  • Choose the Link account dropdown menu and select Upload from a file.
  • Now, click on Drag and drop. Alternatively, you can choose the Select Files option and browse for the file you retrieved from your bank earlier. 
  • Now, tap on Continue.
  • Now, go to the QuickBooks account dropdown menu. Choose the account to which you wish to upload the transactions. 
  • Click Continue.
  • Carry out the steps as instructed, matching the columns on the file with the correct fields in QuickBooks. Then click Continue.
  • Now, choose the transactions to import. Click on Continue, followed by Yes.
  • After accepting the transactions, select Done.
  1. If your account(s) is not connected to online banking
  • Click on Bookkeeping. Select Transactions followed by Bank Transactions.
  • Now, click on the Upload Transactions option.
  • Now, click on Drag and drop. Alternatively, you can choose the Select Files option and browse for the file you retrieved from your bank earlier. 
  • Now, tap on Continue.
  • Now, go to the QuickBooks account dropdown menu. Choose the account to which you wish to upload the transactions. Click Continue.
  • Carry out the steps as instructed, matching the columns on the file with the correct fields in QuickBooks. Then click Continue.
  • Choose all the transactions you want to import to QBO and choose Continue.
  • Tap on Yes.
  • After accepting the transactions, select Done.

This will resolve the issue with the QuickBooks reports not showing memos or descriptions.

Note: If schedule reports fail to work in QuickBooks, we have drafted a dedicated guide to help you resolve that.

Summary

1. Why do QuickBooks Reports not showing memo/descriptions?

Multiple factors can be responsible for why a memo or description isn’t showing in QuickBooks Online, such as:
1. Using an outdated version of your browser. 
2. Excessively stored browser’s caches and cookies. 
3. Incorrectly added memo or description.
4. Your transactions might not be running by date. 

2. What is the difference between Memo and Description in QBO?

In QBO, Description is normally a generic phrase or explanation of the activity (or expense) item. Meanwhile, Memos allow you to provide extra information about the task or expense you are entering.

3. Do I need to add Memo and Description info separately in QuickBooks?

Yes, you need to manually add the memo as well as the description while printing checks in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

4. Is it necessary to add Memo or Description in each transaction report in QBO?

No, it’s not necessary to add Memo and Description in each transaction report. However, you must add both information when you make it visible on the customer/vendor reports.

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