Can't get correct check number

Take out the # sign

N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

I used number sign here to explain the problem, didn't use the # sign in Quickbooks.

Bob

Are you using the "to be printed" option in the "pay bills"? If so, when you go to the print checks routine & entering the correct first check # it should retain the check #'s for the next time. Is this what is not working? I have several companies that use 2 series of check #'s - handwritten & computer. Both ways of entering/printing checks retain the correct check #'s. N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

I hand write all checks and pay bills from the Bill-Pay window. It prompts me as to the check number and I click the dot to use the next consecutive check number. Somehow it doesn't understand my number and it puts in a number referenced to the number of checks from when I began entering in QB. I then manually enter the check number in the register and save the transaction. Next time same thing. I have only one series of checks.

Bob

Call up your bank and order checks that have a beginning series number that agrees with QB.

No, that won't work either. QB uses a number lower than my current check numbers. That would make a big mess in trying to reconcile numbers which were already used and previously reconciled. Is there a place within QB to specify the beginning check number?

Bob

Allen-I think that comment was totally unnecessary & uncalled for. N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

Bob-It has something to do with the way you are doing it. When in the screen assign check number screen, click in the box under check # and enter the correct number for that payment. You will always have to do this in order to keep the #'s straight. Unless, you go through the process of "printing" (on paper) one of the bill payment checks, assigning it the correct #. This MIGHT change the internal numbering series of your data file. If you hand write all your checks, is there a reason that you go to the trouble of entering bills & then recording a check? (Such as tracking invoice #'s, etc.) Otherwise, you could just use the "write check" screen. This will remember the next check # & automatically enter for you.

N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

Yes, the reason for "Paying Bills" instead of "Writing Checks" is that the items arrive from vendors and must be entered into inventory, and then the bills must be paid. I am new to QB so I was following the arrows on the opening window which indicate the sequence to be followed. I hadn't tried clicking on "Write Check". Will that let me pay a vendor's invoice? In software there are frequently many ways to accomplish the same task, but unless one is familiar with it, one doesn't know if the results will be the same.

Bob

Besides, it won't work. QB just doesn't consistently remember check numbers as one moves from "Check" to "Pay Employees" to "Bill" and so forth.

Just a burden we have to bear.

Through the write checks routine you would not be able to pay a vendors invoice. It does seem that you are doing it the correct way, just be sure to enter your check # in the screen where I referenced above. N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

QB DOES remember check #'s when moving from check or pay employees or pay bill. I have no problem with the wrong check # coming up for me EXCEPT, if I for any reason I change the # that comes up myself.

N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

I guess the logical question to ask at this point is why it's reliable for some people and not for others. When I click on pay bill, I can choose to write check or assign check number, then the next screen asks me if I want to use a consecutive number or let QB assign a number. If I choose consecutive number, QB assigns its own number based on being consecutive from its last assigned number, not from my last number. It appears that for some of us, there is a software miscommunication between the wording in the program and the user. I've re-read the tutorial and viewed the help files. I don't see a solution in there. I do have 30 days support so I could ask tech support, but based on my previous experiences with software, the support is likely in India and the only thing tech support has in front of them is the same help files I have, and they are usually far less informed and have less experience with the software than I have, so I'm not going there.

Bob

Excellent idea, don't even try to contact tech support. They probably couldn't help anyway. Wander around here long enough, the question's bound to get answered.

-Greg

Bob-In that screen are you entering your check # in the column for it? When I enter manual checks in the pay bills part, I always enter the correct check #. I think this is where the software has a "problem"! Would save you a step (from going to the register) to just go ahead & enter correct # at that point. Once you get to the point of using computer checks, your problem will be solved. I think that the "manual" check part is not meant to affect your system check numbering scheme. If it did, the program's check #'s would frequently be off. N Owen To reply, please change "ONE" to numeral

Until I get a new printer, I can't print checks. I have a Brother HL1440 which is not compatible on my computer with XP, Word and many other programs. It prints checks and envelopes sideways, rotated 90 degrees. I've installed the latest drivers and followed all of Microsoft's suggestions for editing the registry. Strangely, this printer is on Microsoft's compatibility list of friendly hardware. Worse yet, Brother has no tech support. So, when I get enough money to buy a good HP printer, then I'll start printing checks. Meanwhile, maybe Intuit will have a bug fix someday for the programmer who didn't know how to add one and one.

Bob

Please note that my post said "on my computer". I'm not disputing how your computer works. Everything worked fine with Win 2000, never worked right after the upgrade to XP. Microsoft had me do several changes in the registry but it made no difference. There are so many different types of hardware that no one can say that every peripheral device will work equally well on all computers. Next printer will be an HP. They are far more universal than Brother and I never had a problem with HP support. Brother has no support and they don't answer e-mail to them. Buy it, you own it and if you have a problem, tough. I bought it from PC Connection and their tech support doesn't have a clue, either.

Bob

Don't give yourself a pat on the back. These people are all highly trained and most if not all have degrees in computer science. I can assure you the least compedent answering the phones can run circles around you when it comes to computer software.