While it may not be too difficult for you to run basic reports, running more customized reports or detailed reports can be more complicated. Account users who have the QuickBooks Premier Account Edition and Enterprise Solutions have an additional tool at their disposal that helps them to integrate QuickBooks, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Here are a few options to create reports in QuickBooks.
Use Built-In Reports
QuickBooks provides several built-in reports, including a Profit and Loss Statement or a Balance Sheet. If you have QuickBooks Desktop, create a Profit and Loss report by first selecting “Reports, Company & Financial.” Then select “Profit and Loss Standard.” You can change your preferences to suppress account numbers that you do not wish to see by selecting “Description Only.” This will not erase all account numbers. To erase all account numbers on reports temporarily, uncheck “Use Account Numbers” under the tab entitled “Company Preferences.” Ensure that your reports are up-to-date by refreshing the screen prior to creating the report.
Use Statement Writer
Users of the Accountant or Enterprise versions of QuickBooks can use Statement Writer. This specific tool provides greater control over financial statements by allowing business owners to integrate their data with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Many account users prefer this tool over using customized reports. It includes an interface that involves a wizard that helps you develop your financial reports. You can save these and later access them.
The program requires at least a 2012 version of QuickBooks. Additionally, you must use only a 32-bit version of Microsoft Excel of 2003 or more recent. However, if you have the 2015 version of QuickBooks Accountant or QuickBooks Enterprise, you can use either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Microsoft Excel. Some account users believe that they must use a 64-bit Microsoft Office version if they have 64-bit Windows, but this is not accurate. Most QuickBooks or Excel third-party apps operate more effectively if account users utilize the 32-bit version of Microsoft products. Although the 64-bit version provides faster computing, this feature is often not able to be used in a practical manner. Instead, many account users experience more conflicts between their software and third-party apps when the 64-bit version is used.
If you would like more information on using QuickBooks built-in reports or the Statement Writer, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor can help you assess your needs.