Question

Why can't I create pie charts that breaks down our expenditures categories?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
January 1, 2021
4 replies
0 views

Last year, using QB Basic, we were able to print a pie chart showing percentages of our expenses and revenues. Now, on QB Advanced, we can only see a line graph of total expenses, not comparing categories. Is this option no longer available?

QuickBooks Online

Pabz_L

Hello there, @userterri-rich.

You can still create a Pie chart in QuickBooks Online Advanced. To do that, you’ll have to create a custom chart to track what matters most to your business.

Here’s how

Select +Add new chart and the metric you want this chart to track. Then, click Continue.
Give your chart a name.
Select the type of charts, such as Trend line, Vertical bar, or Pie chart. These options vary based on the metric.
In the Time period dropdown, select the period you want to track.
Select the category you want to group for your data in the Group by dropdown.
If you want to see only data from a specific category, select it in the Filter by dropdown. Then use the Select from multiple to narrow it to items in that category.
To compare the results over different periods, select Compare. Then select Previous period or Previous year same period. For some charts, you can also compare against a budget or goal.
When you're done, select Add to Dashboard.

Please know that you need to be an admin user to use this feature.

You can use this article to know more about the custom chart and how to edit or delete a chart: Create charts to see your business performance.

Keep in touch with me on how this goes. Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you. Have a good day!

U

userterri-richAuthor

I did already try those options. What we were able to create in the past was a pie chart of expenses broken down by category. Example: If payroll was 40% of our expenses and curriculum development was 15%, etc, those would be shown by those percentages of the pie chart. I do not see an option for that. For expenses, I only see a Vertical Bars and Trend Line. If I want to see each budgeted category (like payroll, legal fees, training events, etc.) in one of those charts, I have to go in manually and select each line item category.

I used to be able to just pull up an automatically created pie chart with all the expensed amounts already in the chart by budget category.

Is that no longer possible?

R

Rea_M

Thanks for getting back to us, @userterri-rich.

You're still able to create a pie chart in QuickBooks Online (QBO) Advanced through the Performance center page from the Reports menu. However, it's currently possible for Accounts receivable and Accounts payable tracking.

I'd recommend checking out this article's Create a custom chart from scratch section for the detailed steps: Create charts to see your business performance. It also includes a guide in creating industry comparison charts and how to edit them to name a few.

Additionally, there are other ways to track your business health and finances. You can do this by pulling up the appropriate report from the Reports menu's Reports tab. Then, you can customize them to focus on the details that matter the most. You can check out this article to learn more about the advanced reporting feature in the Advanced version of QuickBooks: Help with Advanced Reporting powered by Fathom.

Please know that you're always welcome to comment below if you have other concerns about puling up reports and charts in QuickBooks. I'm just around to help. Take care.

T

Tracy95

Has this been resolved because I am also having this problem. My client has sent me a Pie Chart of the P&L and I cannot duplicate it. I can only create Vertical Bars or Trend Line chart.

R

RCV

Thanks for checking in with us, Tracy95.

We can create a pie chart in QuickBooks Online (QBO) Advanced through the Performance center page from the Reports menu. However, this option is only available for Accounts receivable and Accounts payable tracking metrics. Here's an article you can refer to for more details on creating charts to see your business performance. From there you can create custom charts, choose the metric and the specific data. The chart will include, products, services, and locations. Here's how:

Go to Reports on the left side menu.
Choose Performance center.
Tap +Add new chart and the metric you want this chart to track. Then, click Continue.
Give your chart a name.
Select the type of charts, such as Trend line, Vertical bar, or Pie chart. These options vary based on the metric.
In the Time period dropdown, choose the period you want to track.
Select the category you want to group for your data in the Group by dropdown.
If you want to see only data from a specific category, hit it in the Filter by dropdown. Then use the Select from multiple to narrow it to items in that category.
To compare the results over different periods, hit Compare. Then select the Previous period or Previous year same period option. For some charts, you can also compare against a budget or goal.
Press Add to Dashboard.

Feel free to visit our Reports page for more insights about managing your business reports.

If you need to take care of other things in QuickBooks, I'm with you every step of the way. Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you. Take care always.

E

ElleIlana

I am having the same problem. I don't want a pie chart of accts receivable, and that is clearly not what the original poster asked for. I would like the same thing - a pie chart comparing expenditure or income categories during a set period of time, not a bar or line graph over time.

KimMcCPA

@userterri-rich @Tracy95 @1701826 @Cholbrook01

Reports > Business Snapshot

A

AAA Trial

This is absolutely ridiculous that we can’t pie chart expenses. That provides crucial information that a line and bar graph does not provide. Come on QuickBooks, you should be providing better service for your customers. Especially when it was available in the past and taken away without notice!

T

The Pop-Hop

I second this. It was unacceptable that they removed this crucial tool without notice and without lowering subscription rates, and it is unbelievably rude that they keep sending their employees to this chat with tone-deaf, unhelpful form letters about QuickBooks Advanced.

A

abolishcapitalism1312

Its a pain but you can export the data to a 3rd party spreadsheet application and then generate your own graph - though the purpose of a financial software like QuickBooks is to have the ability to do all of this in one place and increase productivity... which it is not doing in this case

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