How to Delete Categories

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: There are some old 'categories' that I'd like to delete when I am entering transactions in register.

ssickler

In Quicken Windows, can you delete a category? How? I have used Quicken for over 20 years and have some very old categories that are in the way. I do not want to hide them. I want to delete them permenantly.

Quicken Anja

Hello @ssickler,

Thank you for reaching out to the Community with your question.

To delete categories, please navigate to Tools > Category list > Right-click the category you wish to delete > Click Delete.

Please be advised that deleting a category that is being used will also remove that category from each transaction in your register(s) that has that category assigned.

I hope this helps!

aeronaut54

this does not work as I right click I do not get an option to delete

aeronaut54

Is there another way?

UserDavidC

In the Category List, what is the Type of the category you are trying to delete?

If it is a Transfer type, they can not be deleted as they are really accounts.

Otherwise the Right-Click should bring up a menu with the Delete option.

Chris_QPW

You also can't delete built-in categories like _401Contrib.

Chris_QPW

P.S. I would also check the usage number before deleting a category, since if you delete a category that is being used, it will leave the transactions that are using it without a category.  You might want to recategorize the transactions first.

Rocket J Squirrel

Chris_QPW said:

You also can't delete built-in categories like _401Contrib.

You can take CONTROL of such deletions if you're a little SHIFTy.

mjs9876543210

@Rocket J Squirrel I'm having the same issue. I've tried holding SHIFT while right clicking but do see any difference in behavior. I'd be grateful if you'd tell me what I'm looking for. (QWin in virtual machine running on a Mac.) Thank you,

Rocket J Squirrel

mjs9876543210 said:

@Rocket J Squirrel I'm having the same issue. I've tried holding SHIFT while right clicking but do see any difference in behavior. I'd be grateful if you'd tell me what I'm looking for. (QWin in virtual machine running on a Mac.) Thank you,

Ctrl+Shift+Right-click will present a Delete menu item for any category, including built-in ones you should not delete. As with all power tools, be careful.