How do I restore a deleted custom category?

Question

I just discovered that I accidentally deleted a custom category and related subcategories somehow. I backup my Quicken file weekly, but and I'm not sure when it happened. Is there a way to reset the category back to active without restoring categories from a backup file since I don't know which backup file contains the deleted categories? (Quicken for Windows Subscription Version R56.9 on Windows 11 Home)

[Deleted User] · Answer

@Debsmagick if you get that message when you try to readd the category then that usually means it exists somewhere.  When you look at your category list, are you choosing all categories?  There are filters for viewing specific category types that don't reset automatically.

In the "Show" box ensure that "Full List" shows.

The only other possibility that a category can't be added is that you have an account name with the same name as the category.

After everything is tried and nothing works then I would do a validate and super validate on your data file.  There is a possibility that you have some file corruption.

NotACPA · Answer

BUT, if the category was truly deleted, then you shouldn't be getting that message … as all uses of the category would have been deleted also.

Could it be that the category was merely hidden?  Try TOOLS, Category List and click "Show Hidden Categories" at the bottom.

Debsmagick · Answer

I tried to readd the custom category but received a 'duplicate category' error message. I assume because there are transactions posted to the category. Like I said, I'm not exactly sure how the category got deleted and was not asked what category to replace the deleted one with. Thanks for your suggestions!