Sometimes, when creating or printing bank transactions, you might face the QuickBooks reports not showing Memo or Description issues. This happens when the caches or cookies on the browser cause some issues or due to an outdated version of the browser you use. So, to help you generate a report that shows the memo/description when printing in QuickBooks Online, the stepwise solution in this guide by experts.
Finding the best ways to display a Memo or Description in the QuickBooks reports? Don’t worry; you can contact A2AutoCare’s experts instantly and get assistance whenever you want.
What to Do If QuickBooks Reports Not Showing Descriptions Field
In this section, we will discover the best ways to troubleshoot it if QuickBooks reports do not show a memo or description. Ensure to follow these steps in the order they are mentioned.
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.
NOTE: Make sure you are using the most recent version of the browser you use.
Step 1: Clear your Borwser’s Cache
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.
Step 2: Clear the Intuit-Specific Cookies
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:
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
NEW: What’s latest in QuickBooks Desktop 2024.
Summary
The steps provided in this article will definitely help you fix the QuickBooks reports not showing Memo or Description issue. However, there still can be chances when the Memo Description doesn’t show on the transaction report, and it leads to other payroll issues. In such critical situations, you must reach out to our A2AutoCare’s experts and avail the QuickBooks Consulting Services for instant help. The team of experts is available 24/7 to assist you with the best.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities