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SirMatthew
July 31, 2025
Solved

NEED Payroll Summary like QuickBooks Desktop!

  • July 31, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 29 views

WHY is the Payroll Summary in QBO completely different than the desktop version??? I had someone hire employees (first time I've dealt with payroll in QBO and so far, I LOATHE it) and want to see the same report I'm used to with the columns for employees and the various taxes as individual line items, not 900 lines  showing each check! It's a summary report, not a detail! 

Best answer by SheandL

Hi there, SirMatthew.

 

I understand the importance of generating an organized payroll report in QuickBooks Online (QBO). We can run the Payroll Summary by Employee and personalize it to achieve your preferred customization.

 

The Payroll Summary report in QBO differs from QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) due to variations in reporting and features. To obtain a report that displays the same format as QBDT, you can follow the steps below:

 

  1. Go to Reports, then select Standard reports section.
  2. Then, search for Payroll Summary by Employee.
  3. Choose the desired date range you want to pull up.
  4. In the upper right corner, click the vertical icon beside Customize.

For visual reference, please see the screenshot below:

 


To enhance your payroll processes in QBO, consider collaborating with our Explore Payroll team. Their expertise will help you optimize your financial and business operations.

 

If you have other concerns or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this post.

2 replies

SheandLQuickBooks TeamAnswer
QuickBooks Team
July 31, 2025

Hi there, SirMatthew.

 

I understand the importance of generating an organized payroll report in QuickBooks Online (QBO). We can run the Payroll Summary by Employee and personalize it to achieve your preferred customization.

 

The Payroll Summary report in QBO differs from QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) due to variations in reporting and features. To obtain a report that displays the same format as QBDT, you can follow the steps below:

 

  1. Go to Reports, then select Standard reports section.
  2. Then, search for Payroll Summary by Employee.
  3. Choose the desired date range you want to pull up.
  4. In the upper right corner, click the vertical icon beside Customize.

For visual reference, please see the screenshot below:

 


To enhance your payroll processes in QBO, consider collaborating with our Explore Payroll team. Their expertise will help you optimize your financial and business operations.

 

If you have other concerns or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this post.

BigRedConsulting
Level 15
July 31, 2025

You're going to be very disappointed with a whole lot of QuickBooks Online if you want what you had with QuickBooks Desktop. 

 

And QuickBooks Online will keep getting worse, if recent trends hold. Don't expect any actual improvements to your experience.

December 15, 2025

This is why I am fighting to stop desktop, QB online is completely different and confusing.  I hope someone comes up with a desktop version of Accounting for Accountants.