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Categorize each transaction to get the most out of Quicken.

What about one transaction that includes several types of purchases? Or a home loan payment, where part goes to principal and part to interest? Just select Split Image Removed and enter the transaction detail.

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title	To assign a category to a transaction

Open the account you want to use.
In the register, select the Category field of the transaction you want to categorize.
Enter a category name or select the drop-down arrow to select the category you want to use from a list.
- Tell me more about entering categories
  - The category list is divided into several groups such as personal income, personal expenses, business income, business expenses, and so on. In the left pane, choose the group you want to work with and then select the specific category.
  - Certain category groups are hidden by default, largely based on information you provided when you set up Quicken (for example, whether you own a business or manage rental property). Select Show > Hidden categories to make the hidden categories visible both as groups and as individual items in the All Categories list.
  - Start typing the name of the category you want to use. Quicken will search for what your are typing by matching either the category or subcategory name.
  - If you type the name of a category Quicken doesn't recognize, you are prompted to set it up as new category.
  - Use subcategories if you need a more detailed way of classifying your transactions. Select them from the list, or enter them directly in the category field by typing a colon (:) after the parent category, and then entering the subcategory (for example, Utilities:Water).
  - If you previously entered other transactions for a payee, Quicken displays the payee's most recently used categories (up to five) when you type a category name directly in the category field.
Select Save to record the transaction.

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title	To enter or edit a transaction with multiple categories (a split transaction)

Open the account you want to use.
In the register, select the transaction you want to categorize.
On the transaction toolbar, select the Split icon (Image Removed).

In the Split Transaction dialog, enter (or edit) the category, tag (optional), and amount for each individual item on a separate line.

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title	What can I do here?

As you enter a split transaction, the Transaction Total may no longer match the Split Total. Quicken displays the difference between the two amounts -- the leftover amount -- below the last split line. There are a few ways to handle this difference, depending on your situation:

Change the amounts in the split lines so that the Split Total is equal to the Transaction Total.
Select Adjust to change the Transaction Total to equal the Split Total.
Select Edit and choose Apply remainder to current line to absorb any remainder amount into the selected split line.
Select Edit and choose Allocate this line to other split lines to distribute the amount of the selected split line among all other split lines.
Select Allocate to distribute any leftover amount among all other split lines.

As necessary, adjust the individual line amounts. (Optional)

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title	Tell me more

As you enter a split transaction, the Transaction Total may no longer match the Split Total. Quicken displays the difference between the two amounts -- the leftover amount -- below the last split line. There are a few ways to handle this difference, depending on your situation:

Change the amounts in the split lines so that the Split Total is equal to the Transaction Total.
Select Adjust to change the Transaction Total to equal the Split Total.
Select Edit and choose Apply remainder to current line to absorb any remainder amount into the selected split line.
Select Edit and choose Allocate this line to other split lines to distribute the amount of the selected split line among all other split lines.
Select Allocate to distribute any leftover amount among all other split lines.

Select OK to close the Split Transaction dialog.
On the transaction toolbar, select Save to enter the transaction into the register (unless you've enabled the register preference Automatically Enter Split Data).

Notes

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title	Can I categorize investment transactions?

For investment transactions, the Category field only appears in the transaction entry/edit dialog when it's applicable (for example, for checks you write from the cash management portion of your brokerage account). The field doesn’t appear in the dialog if categories don’t apply to the transaction type.
- Quicken reminds you to enter a category whenever you leave one out. (You can change this behavior by choosing Edit menu > Preferences > Notify.) If you don't assign a category, Quicken marks the transaction as Uncategorized in reports and graphs. If you see these labels when you've assigned categories to all transactions, it may be because for a particular category you sometimes add a subcategory and sometimes you don't. To find uncategorized transactions and assign categories to them, Select the Home tab and take a look at the See Where Your Money Goes section.
- If you memorize or download transactions, Quicken can help automate the process of assigning categories. If you'd like to use the category Quicken suggests, just record the transaction as you normally would. If you make a change, Quicken remembers the new category. (You can change this behavior by choosing Edit menu > Preferences > Data entry and QuickFill.) To learn more about how Quicken assigns categories, see How Quicken suggests categories for you.

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title	Can I automatically assign a category based on the transaction's payee?

Yes. When you download a transaction from your financial institution, Quicken tries to automatically categorize it based on a database of payee merchant codes. If you don't download transactions or if the categories Quicken suggests don't meet your needs, you can memorize the payee and associate it with related transaction information such as a category, amount, method of payment, and so on.

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title	How can I remove split information from a register transaction?

To clear all split lines in a register transaction, Select the X button—to the right of Split—in the Category field. You can then assign a new category to the transaction.

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title	Why is the word "Form" displayed in the category field?

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Categorizing your transactions in Quicken is more than a way to keep your finances organized—it’s a tool for understanding your spending habits, planning for the future, and making smarter financial decisions. Whether you’re tracking personal expenses, running a business, or managing rental properties, proper categorization brings clarity and precision to your financial picture.

This guide will help you categorize transactions, split them into multiple categories, and maximize Quicken’s features with tips and deeper insights.

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Why Categorization Matters

Categorization is the foundation of financial tracking in Quicken. Without proper categorization, it’s difficult to see where your money is going, prepare for taxes, or create effective budgets.

By categorizing transactions, you can uncover spending patterns, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven financial decisions. Accurate categories also ensure that reports, budgets, and planning tools in Quicken work as intended.

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Assigning Categories to Your Transactions

Assigning categories ensures every transaction has a purpose and is tracked correctly. This makes it easier to monitor spending, generate accurate reports, and understand your overall financial picture.

Steps to Assign a Category

Open the account containing the transaction.
In the register, select the Category field of the transaction.
Choose a category:
- Start typing the category name to see suggestions.
- Use the drop-down menu to browse available categories.
Save the transaction to apply the category.

What Are Categories?

Categories classify transactions into broad groups like:

Personal Income and Expenses: Salaries, groceries, utilities.
Business Income and Expenses: Client payments, office supplies.
Rental Property: Rent received, property maintenance.

Quicken allows you to create custom categories for unique needs and use subcategories for more precise tracking, such as Utilities:Water.

Tips for Efficient Categorization

Reveal Hidden Categories: Some are hidden by default. Select Show > Hidden Categories to display all options.
QuickFill Suggestions: Quicken remembers frequently used categories for payees and suggests them in future transactions.
Custom Categories: Create your own if Quicken doesn’t recognize the one you need.

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Splitting Transactions for Accuracy

Some transactions cover multiple spending purposes, such as shopping trips or loan payments. Splitting transactions into multiple categories provides a clearer breakdown of your finances.

How to Split a Transaction

Open the account and select the transaction.
Click the Split icon on the toolbar.
In the Split Transaction dialog, enter:
- A Category for each portion.
- Optional Tags for additional tracking.
- The Amount for each line.
Adjust the totals as needed and save the transaction.

Balancing Split Totals

If the Transaction Total and Split Total don’t match, Quicken highlights the difference. You can:

Adjust split line amounts to balance the totals.
Use Adjust to set the Transaction Total to the Split Total.
Distribute leftover amounts proportionally across other split lines using the Allocate option.

Tips for Managing Splits

Clearing Splits: Click the X in the Category field to remove all split lines and assign a new category.
Special Forms: Quicken uses forms for complex splits, such as paychecks or invoices, to simplify entry.

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Automating Categories for Efficiency

Manually categorizing every transaction can be time-consuming. Quicken offers tools to automate categorization, saving you time while maintaining accuracy.

Automating Categorization

Quicken automatically assigns categories to downloaded transactions using merchant codes. You can adjust these categories if needed, and Quicken will remember your changes for future transactions.

Memorizing Payees

For recurring transactions, memorize payees and associate them with specific categories, amounts, and payment methods. This feature ensures consistency and reduces manual input.

QuickFill Preferences

QuickFill helps Quicken learn your habits and suggest categories over time. To manage this feature:

Go to Edit menu > Preferences > Data Entry and QuickFill.
Adjust settings to match your preferences for automatic categorization.

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Categorizing Investment Transactions

Investment transactions often require unique handling, and Quicken simplifies this process by providing the Category field only when applicable. For example, you might see this field when writing checks from cash management accounts.

Transactions marked as Uncategorized will appear in reports and dashboards. To locate and fix these:

Visit the Home tab and check the See Where Your Money Goes section.
Assign appropriate categories to ensure your financial reports are accurate.

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Maximizing the Impact of Categorization

Proper categorization unlocks the full potential of Quicken’s features. Accurate categories provide better insights into your spending and enable powerful tools like budgets and reports.

Detailed Reports: Generate reports showing spending, income, and net worth by category or subcategory.
Custom Budgets: Create budgets tailored to your needs and monitor spending in key areas.

Tips for Effective Reporting and Budgeting

Stay Consistent: Use categories and subcategories consistently to avoid errors in reports.
Review Uncategorized Transactions: Regularly check for transactions marked as Uncategorized and assign appropriate categories.
Leverage Custom Categories: Tailor categories to align with your financial goals, such as tracking specific hobbies or business activities.

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Categorizing transactions in Quicken is an essential step toward better financial management. By following this guide, you’ll not only keep your accounts organized but also gain the insights needed to achieve your financial goals. Whether you’re setting budgets, preparing for taxes, or tracking expenses, accurate categorization is the key to unlocking Quicken’s full potential.

Version	Old Version 3	New Version 4
Changes made by	John Hewitt	John Hewitt
Saved on	Sept 28, 2020	Dec 03, 2024

Versions Compared

Key

Notes

Why Categorization Matters

Assigning Categories to Your Transactions

Steps to Assign a Category

What Are Categories?

Tips for Efficient Categorization

Splitting Transactions for Accuracy

How to Split a Transaction

Balancing Split Totals

Tips for Managing Splits

Automating Categories for Efficiency

Automating Categorization

Memorizing Payees

QuickFill Preferences

Categorizing Investment Transactions

Maximizing the Impact of Categorization

Tips for Effective Reporting and Budgeting