Register changes in Q Mac

bobhollister

I just transitioned from the Windows version and there are several register settings that I miss. The first is the ability to use two lines for each transaction, more information easily seen. Second, in Windows the register just shows a blank line into which you start typing to enter a new transaction — you don't have to use the mouse or keyboard shortcut to start a new transaction. Third, the check # entry is also the transaction type, transfer, electronic fund, atm, etc.

jacobs

The first two are certainly differences between the older Quicken Windows register and the newer Quicken Mac register. They've been this way for more than a decade since the current generation of Quicken Mac was created, so I don't think it's likely the developers are going to change the behavior now (although you're welcome to request it here).

Almost everyone who switches from Quicken Windows, or the prior generation Quicken 2007 for Mac, has the same initial comment about missing the 2-line register. 😉 It's a jarring change from what you're used to, but most people decide it's not so bad after they use it for a while. While the single line register does take more space horizontally, you may come to find it's much easier skimming up and down pages of register entries when every other line isn't showing different data. You may also find that some of the capabilities of the single-line register — ability to show/hide any columns, move columns into any order and make them any width — are helpful. I'm sure there are some Quicken Mac users who would like to go back to a 2-line register if they could, but I found after a while that I prefer the single-line interface and wouldn't switch back even if it was offered.

The blank row is another thing that takes a little time to adjust to, but it something you likely won't miss after working with Quicken Mac after some time. There are a few tricks to make this work well for you. Creating a new transaction can be done in three ways: clicking the "new" button in the bottom toolbar, selecting Transactions > New Transaction from the menu, or the simplest: pressing Command-N. The keyboard shortcut is also the key if you are entering multiple transactions: instead of saving a transaction by resting Enter and then needing to create a new transaction, you can do both with just a single Command-N keystroke; this saves the current transaction and opens a new one — basically what you're used to, with no additional steps.

Quicken Mac allows you to enter whatever you want in the Check Number field — like ATM, EFT, etc. — but it was designed with a separate Actions field for other transaction labels for those who want to keep the Check Number field for just check numbers. I found after a little use that I really didn't need to record these transaction labels, so I no longer do it in either the Actions or Check Number field, and I have the Actions field hidden.

My advice is to work with Quicken Mac for a while — and try not to constantly focus on or curse the differences from Quicken Windows! 😂 You've got years of hand-eye-brain coordination which take time to relearn and adjust to. Whether in the end you still wish for some of the Quicken Windows interface elements or not, it definitely won't be as jarring as you're finding it at the start.