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January 2, 2019
Question

How do I get Invoices to have grids or alternating lines of color to separate invoice details? I find it amazing that they don't have this option?

  • January 2, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 0 views

I would like to have a way to separate the lines in my invoices and estimates. Either a grid or some type of alternating color from line item to line item. Similar to the invoice I have posted. How do we do this? It looks so sloppy having it all bunched together even if I add blank spaces between items.

5 replies

BettyJaneB
January 3, 2019

Hi there, @404119.

 

Thanks for reaching us out here in the Community. Allow me to share some details about customizing an invoice template in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Currently, separating the lines on your invoices and estimates by a grid or some type of alternating color from line item to line item is not available in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

However, you can import customized templates into QuickBooks Desktop. Importing the template also helps prevent damaged templates when sending portable files or converting your company files. 

 

To do that:

  1. Open the company file that you want to import the template into.
  2. From the Lists menu, choose Templates.
  3. From the Templates drop-down list, choose Import.
  4. Select the template you want to import then select Open.
  5. Name the imported template. You can keep the original name or change it.
  6. Select OK. You should now see the imported template on the template list.

For more details about the process, please check out this article: Use and customize form templates.

Also, I'd suggest sending this suggestions to our developers. Doing this helps them understand where we can improve and what features should be added so we can better serve you.

 

To do that:

  1. Click the Help menu bar.
  2. Scroll down to Send Feedback Online.
  3. Select Product Suggestion.
  4. Choose Product Suggestion for the Type of Feedback.
  5. Product Area is optional.
  6. Enter your suggestion.
  7. Click Send Feedback.

There you go, @404119 you can now use your desired template. 

 

You've got me here if there's anything else you need. I'll be around to help you out. Have a prosperous day!

qbteachmt
January 3, 2019

The "shade alternate rows" function is only found in Desktop Enterprise.

 

@BettyJaneB

You are incorrect regarding this comment: "You can import customized templates from MS Word into QuickBooks Desktop"

 

The desktop templates are a proprietary filetype .des = Designer files. I believe only Adobe Pro also works with that filetype, in addition to QB desktop. In QB desktop, you work with DES files you can find and import or take a few minutes to create a template from scratch or copy one that exists and save it as a new name, then modify it.

August 27, 2020

I'm sorry but that answer is incorrect. The shaded lines aren't only on Quickbooks Enterprise.

I have Quickbooks Desktop Pro and I have them or at least I did when I first started using it.

I don't know what I did but I got rid of them unintentionally and I can't get them back.

 

The only way I've found so far is by opening a new company and start out from scratch, I go to the forms and there I have the shaded lines. But this isn't very useful because I can't use this new company since all my data is on the other company that I created at first.

 

Can someone help me please?

I just need to get the shaded lines back on the forms please. There has to be a way :(

January 4, 2019

Alternating shaded lines for printed sales form tables is a feature available in QuickBooks Enterprise.

February 1, 2020

When we upgraded to Windows 10 from 7, our QB invoices would not print with grid lines.

They looked ridiculous.  I spent hours trying templates without success.  Here's the easy fix:

Go to File.  Click on Printer Setup.  Choose your form.  Unclick "Do not print lines around each field"  Click OK.

DONE!

You're welcome!

September 14, 2020

NICE FIX! Thank you Binbin.

June 11, 2020

It is ridiculous - 

Quickbooks does not offer this basic functionality. 

 

Only on the most expensive  version of thiers!

 

March 17, 2021

I just add a long underscore line (_____________________) in the description to divide up sections on estimates/po/invoices.