Why do some categories display the sum of the actual spent rather than deviation from budget

linda katz

When using the "details" display, in a couple of income and expense categories the "to date" balance shows the total amount of the actuals, rather than the total difference between budget and actuals. In other words, where the total expenditure is $10,000, and where the budgeted amount is $10,500, instead of showing $500 in "to date" it shows $10,000. Most categories show the correct numbers. Why is this happening?

Sherlock

I suspect you may not have set these categories to rollover.

linda katz

Nope, that's not it.

Sherlock

The To date balance should the sum of the earlier balances.  If it's not, I suggest you review: https://www.quicken.com/support/advanced-data-file-troubleshooting-correct-problems-quicken-windows

linda katz

In case anyone is interested .... I've now determined that the use of subcategories is seriously screwing up budgeting.. The problem with tracking the salary column is that the pre-set category of salary includes sub-categories of holiday, sick pay, and vacation. I wasn't using these in the category list, and this was apparently causing the problem. When I choose these subcategories for budget purposes, even though they're all 0s, the main category of salary is now acting as it should. This is really aggravating and makes no sense!