I'm reviewing & cleaning up my categories among other things. I've had quicken back from Q3 or earlier & now have Q06 Premier. I'd like to delete any unused categories and merge similar ones. I have a whole series of categories that begin with an_. Are those ones I should be using rather than the same thing not underline?
example Div income vs. _Div income
Also if I delete unused categories can I verify they are empty if the right side of the categories screen is empty. Does it include any entries from old hidden accounts.
That's a great question and I don't know the answer. I worry about previous items of say 3 years ago that were categorized a certain way and if you delete the categories, will itshow as uncategoized in your reports and on the register if the data from three years ago is needed. Generally every two years , I do a year end copy and I'm afraid that the past years will be in total disarray if I don't keep the categories that same. Sorry I couldn't answer your question. Thanks Russ Bird
Either of these work the same for tax reporting purposes. The '_DivInc' category [and some others] are added to the category list when you create the first Investment Account in a new file. For a user who does not add an Investment Account , the dividend and interest categories are in the list by default - I assume for income in cash flow accounts.
The categories that begin with the underscore [e.g., _DivInc'] can not be deleted - they are 'hardwired' so-to-speak.
What I do when 'cleaning house' as you propose:
First make a good safe backup - and more backup as you proceed.
Check the option to 'View Hidden Accounts' - this is important to find out if this category has ever been used.
In the category list, select the category you want to delete and then check 'Report' [at the top of the window]. Select 'Include all dates' in the Date Range. You must erify that the report includes ALL dates, ALL accounts and ALL securities - per the customization dialog.
You will either get transactions to edit or you will get a 'blank' report and a message to the effect that QW could not find any transactions.
Again the key here is to make sure that all dates, all accounts and all securities are included in the category report. This is the area that can cause you great pain - I speak from experience - more than once too!!! Thus the need for frequent backups as you proceed - your 'escape' route.
You will probably not be able to delete those categories that begin with an underscore, even if you have no transactions that use them. Those are special Quicken categories that are required if you have the Quicken account types that use them. For example, if you have any Quicken "Investment" accounts, you will not be able to delete any of the investment categories that begin with an underscore, like "_DivInc". Quicken will automatically use that category for certain transactions.
Whether you *should* use the same category for transactions where you control the category; I can't tell you. But I do not recall ever hearing of any downside to doing so.
The "Transaction Usage" pane does not include activity for hidden accounts.
You could create an Itemized Categories report for "All Dates", that shows hidden accounts and hidden categories, and shows "Totals Only"; that will give you one line per category. I believe categories with no transactions do not appear in the report.
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