How To Clear Journal Entries In Quickbooks

Sometimes, journal entries in QuickBooks get incorrectly made. While making them, users may have included incorrect values or information. As a result of this, there may be a need to delete a journal entry in the software. QuickBooks enables you in removing a single entry as well as a batch of journal entries. Removing the same can be possible when you know the steps to do so. To guide you about how to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks, we have mentioned the exact steps you need. Here, you can also find the steps to delete this entry in QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and QuickBooks Pro. Along with this, for deleting multiple entries in the software too, you can find help here. As an alternative to deleting the general journal entries, you can also reverse them. The method to do so can be found as you keep reading further.

You can delete journal entries in QB as well as its several versions. To know more about the versions in which the option to do so is available, please go through the following summary:

When can I Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks?

How to Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks?

Option 1: Removing QuickBooks Journal Entry from Lists Menu
Option 2: Deleting a General Journal Entry from Company Menu

How Do You Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Online?

Option 1: Remove an Individual Journal Entry in QBO
Option 2: Delete Multiple Journal Entries in QBO

How to Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Desktop?
How Do I Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Pro?
How to Reverse a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop?

In Closure

When can I Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks?

You can delete a journal entry in QuickBooks Online/Desktop/Pro or any other version as a result of the following:

You may have made an error in creating a journal entry in QuickBooks.
A journal entry may be recurring in the software.
The entry created by you may no longer be needed.

How to Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks?

In QuickBooks, journal entries can be removed by following two options. They can be removed from the Lists menu by highlighting the entries. Additionally, you can open the Company menu to delete a specific general journal entry. Both the options help in removing one journal or general journal entry at a time.

To start learning more on how to delete a general journal entry in QuickBooks, you can read the following options. Option 1 will be suitable for removing an entry via Lists while Option 2 can be used for deleting an entry from the Company menu.

Note for Readers: Before deleting any journal/general journal entry in QuickBooks, be sure of the action. Once deleted, you may not be able to use the entry.

The Lists menu in QuickBooks can be usually seen on the Home Page of the software. This menu can be used for deleting a journal entry that may have an error or is not needed. Using this menu, you can pick a list in which that entry has been recorded. Then you can give access to every entry present in the list and further highlight any one of the entries. With the help of the Edit option, you can make use of the Delete button.

Here are the complete instructions needed for deleting a journal entry via Lists:

Opening the software,
Pick the list which is carrying the journal entry that is not needed.
When the list is displayed, give access to each entry present in it.
Now, select an entry for deleting it.
Highlight the selected journal entry.
Avoid clicking twice on the selected entry.
Now, a window may appear. The window may stop you from removing this entry. You can skip this window.
Next, choose the "Edit" option.
Press "Delete X".

Please Note: In the above-mentioned step "X" will indicate the name of the entry or list.

This process elaborated on how the users of QuickBooks can delete a journal entry. For deleting any other entry, you can follow the steps of the same process.

While running QB, you may have often viewed the Company menu. This menu assists you in preparing a general journal entry. Likewise, it can also be used for deleting an entry that may not be needed any further. Let us see how to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks with the help of the Company menu.

When this menu has been opened, you have to choose Make Journal Entries. Then either tap on the Previous button or push the Next tab. Until you see the desired entry for removing it, the button or tab has to be pushed. Once the general journal entry has been found, you can use Edit to remove/delete it.

Go to "QuickBooks".
Click on the menu that mentions "Company".
Choose the option stating "Make Journal Entries".

how do you delete a journal entry in quickbooks online

Pick one of the following options depending on which is available:
- "Previous"
- "Next"
Keep pressing the "Previous"/"Next" button till the general journal entry is seen.

Please Note: In this step, you have to repeatedly press the "Next" or "Previous" button till you see an entry. This entry should be the one that has to be removed from QuickBooks.

Now, tap on "Edit".

Please Note: The "Edit" option will be available in a menu. This menu will be given at the top.

Prefer clicking on "Delete General Journal".

How Do You Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Online?

The users of QBO can remove an individual journal entry as well as a batch of these entries. When a single journal has to be deleted, we suggest using the software's settings. Sometimes there can be multiple journal entries that may not be of use in QuickBooks Online. You can delete all of them in one go through the Batch Action feature in the Company menu.

Learn more to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks Online or remove a batch of entries by reading below.

Option 1: Remove an Individual Journal Entry in QBO

Via the Settings of QuickBooks Online, a journal entry can easily be deleted. From the Settings, you can reach the option of Chart of Accounts. You will come across several accounts here. Pick the one that is carrying the journal entry which is out of use. After this, you will be required to view the account register in which the entry will be located. As soon as you find the entry in the register, you can delete it.

Here, we have presented a few directions. Should you like to read more about how to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks Online, these directions will be of help.

In "QBO", tap on "Settings".

Please Note: "Settings" in the software will be indicated by the wheel-like or "Gear" icon.

Select "Chart of Accounts".
Choose an account for your transaction.
View the column labeled "Action".
Click on "View Register".
One journal entry needs to be selected.
Tap on "Delete".
Press "Yes" to continue and approve the same.
You may have to provide your confirmation for removing the selected journal entry. Provide it.

Tip for Readers: Due to some reasons, certain QB users were unable to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks. Further, reversing the entry also could not be successfully done. On finding yourself in a similar situation. You will be advised to hide that particular journal entry. For doing so, you will see the option of "X" is Inactive". "X" will indicate the journal entry. Select this box and the chosen journal entry will be hidden.

Option 2: Delete Multiple Journal Entries in QBO

QuickBooks enables you to get rid of a batch of journal entries in one go. Possibly, this can be done through the menu for Banking. As you enter this menu, you will have to pick an account. Check that this account comprises the journal entries you would like to remove. Using the For Review tab, select every entry that has to be deleted in a batch. Via the option of Batch Actions, you will be able to delete multiple journal entries in QBO.

On reading further, you can see how to delete multiple journal entries in QuickBooks Online step-by-step:

When you run "QBO", you will find "Banking". Enter this menu.
Choose an account that is carrying the batch of journal entries that have to be removed.
Select the "For Review" tab.
Pick the journal entries that have to be deleted in a batch.
Click on "Batch Actions".
A selection needs to be made for "Exclude Selected".
Tap on "Excluded".
Choose all your transactions.
Opt for "Batch Actions" one more time.
Now, push the "Delete" tab.

How to Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Desktop?

A time-saving method can be employed for removing a QuickBooks Desktop journal entry. As a part of this method, you can tap on Company. Then visit Make General Journal Entries and press the Find button. Following this, a few fields will be displayed such as Date and Entry Number. You will have to correctly fill them and then find your journal entry. Once it has been found, you will be able to delete it in QuickBooks Desktop.

Visit the menu for "Company" in "QB Desktop".
Find the option which says "Make General Journal Entries".
Select "Find".
Provide the following information:
- "Amount"
- "Name"
- "Entry Number"
- "Date"

Press the "Find" tab.
You will see a journal entry in the software.
Click twice on this entry.
Now, tap once on this journal entry.
After this, press "Delete".
Tap on "OK" and give your confirmation.
Press the button for "Save and Close".

We believe that these steps explained well how to delete a journal entry in QuickBooks Desktop. In case you are not successful in deleting it, see to it that no steps were missed by you.

How Do I Delete a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Pro?

As a user of QuickBooks Pro, you will be guided to visit the Company menu for doing away with a journal entry. Now, select the feature of Make Journal Entries and start pressing the Next tab. As an alternative, you can also press the Previous tab. By pressing, you will be able to view the entry which has to be cleared or removed. To continue, you can visit Edit and delete the journal entry.

In this version of QuickBooks, learn how to delete a journal entry by reading the instructions mentioned as follows:

Run "QuickBooks Pro".
Tap on "Company".
Select the option of "Make Journal Entries".
Click on "Next" or "Previous".
Keep on clicking on "Next" or "Previous" to reach the journal entry that is not required.
Now, tap on "Edit".
Find "Delete General Journal". Then select it.
Through the list, tap twice on an entry.
Choose "X is Inactive" from the window that opens.

Please Note: Here, "X" will denote the name of a particular journal entry.

Press "Ok". The changes will be saved now.

How to Reverse a Journal Entry in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop?

This section is dedicated to teaching you how to reverse a journal entry in QuickBooks Online and QB Desktop. Reversing a journal entry in QuickBooks helps in making a new one. This entry works to form a balance in your account.

To reverse an entry in QB or its versions, open Chart of Accounts via the Settings of the software. One account needs to be selected. This should be the one in which you have made the journal entry. Using View Register, you can reach this entry. In the Edit option, you will see Reverse. Press it to continue with the action.

Opening "Settings" of the software is the beginning step.
Head to "Chart of Accounts"/"COA".

how to reverse a journal entry in quickbooks

Pick that account in which the journal entry has been made.
Tap the "View Register" option.
In the QuickBooks account register, the journal entry needs to be found.

Please Note: You may see "Journal" mentioned either in "Type Column" or "Ref No.".

Pick the entry. Then expand it to view it.
"Edit" has to be clicked on.
Opt for "Reverse".
In the end, select the option of "Save".

Please Note: It may be of use to know that when a journal entry is reversed by you in QBO or QuickBooks Desktop, a new one gets created in its place. Mainly, it is made for balancing your account. The creation of the new entry works as a record of this change that has been made by reversing a journal entry.

In Closure

QuickBooks enables you to remove journal entries as and when you wish to. Based on your requirement, you can delete any entry or multiple entries in this software. In its various versions also like QuickBooks Online and QB Desktop, you can get the option to do so. In addition, you can also reverse an entry when you do not wish to disrupt the balance in your account. For deleting an entry or reversing it, we supplied enough methods in this blog. We hope that these methods would definitely be of use.

Let us know how successful these methods were. Share your views through the following comment section.

We have more helpful readings for you to explore. When you need to get familiar with the method to change your email address in QuickBooks Desktop and QBO, this guide can be referred to. Also, check how you can import your budget in QuickBooks by clicking here.