Manage Default Categories

Use the Manage Categories tool to restore Quicken’s default categories, re-enable categories from other groups, or remove categories you no longer use. This is especially helpful when you want to clean up your list or reintroduce categories that were previously hidden or deleted.

When to use Manage Categories

Here are some common reasons to use the Manage Categories tool:

Use case: You deleted the Utilities:Water category while customizing your list. Later, you try to assign it to a transaction and realize it’s missing. The Manage Categories tool lets you restore it without recreating it manually.

Use case: You previously didn’t track rental properties and hid the Rentals and Royalties categories. Now that you’re managing a rental, you want those categories available again. The tool lets you add them back without rebuilding them.

Use case: You no longer track a side business and want to remove the business-related categories from your list. Manage Categories lets you remove unneeded items in bulk to keep your list focused and easier to manage.

Open the Manage Categories tool

Follow these steps to access the Manage Categories dialog:

1. Choose Tools > Category List.

2. At the bottom of the Category List, select Options > Manage Categories.

Add or restore categories

To restore missing or hidden categories, select them from the appropriate group and add them to your list:

1. In the Available categories drop-down, choose a group:

   • Standard

   • Business

   • Investment

   • Rentals and Royalties

2. In the list of categories, select the checkboxes next to the items you want to add.

   • Select Mark All to add everything in the selected group.

   • Select Clear All to remove all checkmarks.

3. Select Add » to move the categories to the Categories to add list.

4. Select OK to apply the changes and return to the Category List.

Quicken ignores duplicates and will not re-add any category that’s already present.

Remove categories

If you want to delete categories you no longer use, you can do so from the Category List:

1. Choose Tools > Category List.

2. Locate the category you want to remove.

3. Right-click the category and select Delete.

If the category is used in transactions, Quicken prompts you to reassign those entries or leave them uncategorized.