Definition
A transaction is any single event where money moves — a purchase, a deposit, a payment, or a transfer — recorded in one of your accounts.
Why It Matters
Transactions are the raw data behind everything else in Quicken: your categories, reports, budget (Spending Plan), and net worth are all built from them, so accurate records aren't just about tracking — they're what lets you make confident financial decisions. For example, categorized transaction data might reveal you're actually spending $450/month on restaurants, not the $300 you assumed, and (Quicken Business & Personal only) properly categorized business expenses throughout the year mean easier, more complete deductions at tax time.
How This Works in Quicken
Most transactions download automatically once you connect a bank, credit card, or investment account; you can also add transactions manually for cash purchases, corrections, or unconnected accounts. Once in your register, each transaction can be categorized, tagged, split, or matched to an invoice or bill. Editing a transaction in Quicken changes how it's categorized and reported — it doesn't change the original record at your bank.