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cme23
January 16, 2023
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Connecting a Subaccount to a bank feed

  • January 16, 2023
  • 4 replies
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I cannot connect a bank subaccount (listed as "parent account:subaccount") to a bank feed because I get an error: Invalid character ':' - From what I see the colon is added by QBO between the parent account and the subaccount. The colon is not part of either name. How do I connect the bank feed?

I already have other subaccounts connected. This is the first time it will not allow me to connect.

Do I have to take the subaccount out from parent account, connect and then place the account back underneath parent as a subaccount?

Best answer by SeamanTeam

I came to this feed because I'm having the same exact issue. I just tried removing the bank account as a sub account and placed it just under the general bank category. From there I was able to link the account (because it didn't auto populate the : due to it being a sub account). Once it was linked, I re-placed the the bank account under the correct account as a subaccount. That seemed to work! The account is still linked and is now placed as a subaccount once again! 

4 replies

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Kurt_M
January 16, 2023

Happy to have you in the Community today, @cme23. Let's work this out so you can link your subaccount to your bank feeds in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

Before anything else, I'd like to ensure we're on the same page. When attempting to link the bank account to your parent account's bank feeds, did you add a colon character to your subaccount's name? If so, you'll want to remove it from the account's name to get through and have it connected to your parent account.

 

The reason for the error that you've received is that colon character is not in the list of characters that the program acknowledges. If you want to add a special character to indicate you're connecting a subaccount, you can consider using other unique letters or symbols.

 

 For more information, please see this article: Acceptable characters in QuickBooks Online.

 

In addition, here's an article to help you manage bank transactions in QBO: Categorize and match online bank transactions in QuickBooks Online.

 

You can also check this page to learn more about reconciling an account: Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Online.

 

Please don't hesitate to get back to me if you need further assistance with this. I'm determined to help you get this sorted out as soon as possible. Feel free to leave a comment below, and I'll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible. Take care, and have a nice day!

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cme23Author
January 16, 2023

No, I did not add the colon to either the parent account or the subaccount. QBO added it, and then it says there is an invalid character.

Nicole_N
Nicole_N
January 16, 2023

Thanks for getting back here with additional information, @cme23. I want to ensure that you'll be able to connect your subaccount to a bank feed.

 

As mentioned above, the colon is not an acceptable character in QuickBooks Online, which is why you're unable to connect your subaccount with the parent account.

 

You'll need to remove it from the account's name or add an acceptable character to get through. See the screenshot below for reference.

 

 

I'm receiving the error from the image as well since I've added a colon, but after I changed it to "coma, it linked with my parent account successfully.

 

 

You can also visit this article to learn how to use bank rules to automatically categorize transactions from your bank: Set up bank rules in QuickBooks Online.

 

Should you need further assistance in connecting your subaccount with your parent account, let me know in the comment below. I'm always around to help. Stay safe and have a good one!

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cme23Author
January 16, 2023

So in your example you have Metrobank and MyChecking, as the parent and subaccount. The error is coming up on the colon inserted between (in your example) Metrobank:MyChecking. If I change that to a comma, is that going to start a new entry that will be linked to the bank feed vs the "MyChecking" account that I want it to be connected to? I didn't insert the colon and I don't want to have an additional entry added that I will have to delete.

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KCozzone
January 17, 2023

I'm reading this thread with great interest since I am having the exact same problem.  QBO created the colon and I cannot link a bank account.

Have you had any success?

Q
QueenC
January 17, 2023

Thanks for joining the thread and letting us know that you're experiencing the same issue, @KCozzone.

 

As mentioned by my colleagues above, a colon is not an acceptable character which has caused the error when linking a bank account. To isolate this, I'd recommend removing the colon or replacing it with an acceptable character such as a comma.

 

However, if you still can't link a bank account or you weren't able to remove the colon, I suggest contacting our Customer Care Support Team. This will enable them to securely examine your account, talk about the cause of this peculiar behavior, and offer you a permanent fix.

 

After you connect your bank, here's an article that'll serve as your reference in case you want to review your bank transactions and put them in the correct accounts: Categorize and match online bank transactions in QuickBooks Online.

 

Should you have any additional questions with regard to linking your bank account in QuickBooks Online, please don't hesitate to tag my name in the comment section. Have a good one.

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KCozzone
January 18, 2023

I think you are missing the point.  QBO puts the colon in!!!

 

So in order to solve the problem we have to create an account we don’t want to link it to the bank and then change  the account.  

didn’t used to work this way.  QBO obviously changed something  

clearly when several people have the exact same issue at the exact same time perhaps it’s time to look at what happened in QBO 

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SeamanTeamAnswer
January 17, 2023

I came to this feed because I'm having the same exact issue. I just tried removing the bank account as a sub account and placed it just under the general bank category. From there I was able to link the account (because it didn't auto populate the : due to it being a sub account). Once it was linked, I re-placed the the bank account under the correct account as a subaccount. That seemed to work! The account is still linked and is now placed as a subaccount once again! 

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    cme23Author
    January 18, 2023

    That was my original question and yes, that worked.

    I kept getting scolded for putting in a colon that I didn't.

    I guess someone needs to change the check on the bank name after QBO inserts the colon.

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