Remove category for multiple transactions

asherfamily1

For various reasons, I would like to remove the category for a lot of transactions.  Unfortunately, "recategorize" allows one only to replace one category with another, not to remove the category altogether.  Can anyone suggest a work-around?

Thanks

Rocket J Squirrel

Recategorize the transactions to a new category named "DeleteMe". Once all the transactions have been recategorized, delete the category. The transactions will become uncategorized.

Frankx

Hi @asherfamily1

If you can give us a little more context, we can provide better guidance.

So, are you just trying to change the category for a lot of similar/identical type transactions?  Or do you want to eliminate a category that has lot of different type transactions, where those transactions will need to be recatagorized into a number of different categories?

And just to clarify - when you said "allows one only to replace one category with another, not to remove the category altogether" - it sounds like you are saying one cannot delete a category - which is not correct.

Get back to us and we'll go from there.

Frankx

asherfamily1

I have a lot of transactions in different categories for which I wish to remove the category.  Not eliminate it, because other transactions will continue to use it.

So, when I am finished, the category field in the edited transactions will be blank

Thanks

Sherlock

asherfamily1 said:

I have a lot of transactions in different categories for which I wish to remove the category.  Not eliminate it, because other transactions will continue to use it.

So, when I am finished, the category field in the edited transactions will be blank

Thanks

I suggest you create a blank category and use it to replace the category in the transactions where you wish to remove the category.  When you are finished the category field in the edited transactions will be blank.

volvogirl

I was going to suggest the same thing.  Make up a new category for them.  I might start it with a z.   Like zblank so it gets sorted to the end.   But I can't think of a way to replace them except 1 at a time?  You can't do a find and replace unless there's some other common item in the description or somewhere.   

asherfamily1

Sherlock — thanks. If it works that sounds like a very elegant solution
volvogirl — thanks also. When a category list is created, one of the options when selecting a category is “recategorize”. That option allows user to select multiple transactions for which the category needs to be changed

volvogirl

I thought that would change all the transactions that had that category.  You said there are other transactions that would still use that cat.

Rocket J Squirrel

Recategorize the transactions to a new category named "DeleteMe". Once all the transactions have been recategorized, delete the category. The transactions will become uncategorized.

asherfamily1

@volvogirl — one can select individual transactions to recategorize, or the first and last transactions in a range. It is also possible to first sort by payee, account, date, etc

WillieB1172

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20199887#Comment_20199887

This is genius. It's a shame we must have work arounds for such a needed and basic task, but anyway. Thanks! Worked like a charm.