Skip to main content

Get 50% OFF QuickBooks for 3 months*

Buy now
Switch to QuickBooks and 70% off for 3 Months
Talk to Sales: 877-683-3280
Hours
Mon - Fri, 5am - 6pm PST
Sat - Sun, 7am - 4pm PST
Product support & help
Need help signing in?
N
nfresales
February 1, 2019
Question

I get an error of: "You must select an account for this transaction" when entering a purchase order. I'm new to PO's, what am I doing wrong?

  • February 1, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 57 views
I'm using PO's for the first time, have entered the info for the vendor, but get error "Select an account for this transaction"

4 replies

SophiaAnnL
SophiaAnnL
Level 5
February 1, 2019

Entering the details of the vendor's purchase order is all you need to save the transaction, nfresales.

 

We can try some browser troubleshooting steps to get rid of the error. You can use a private window to see if you'll get the same error when entering a PO. If it works there, go back to your original browser and clear the cache.

 

QBO is also accessible on other browsers like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. I'd also suggest switching to a different one to create a PO if the error persists. 

 

I've prepared an article for you for the frequently asked questions about purchase orders.

 

I'll be here if you need a hand. Please let me know if you need anything else.

A
AliciaR270
October 9, 2019

All my Vendor Details are filled in. 

I've opened a private window. Cleared my browser cache.

 

Still will not allow my to save or save changes in my Purchase Order. 

Each time i try i still get the message:  

Something's not quite right
You must select an account for this transaction.
 
Please help. 
Rose-A
Rose-A
Level 10
October 9, 2019

Glad to hear from you here in the Community, AliciaR270.

Let me help you go over to your purchase order and get past the error message you're getting.

 

Purchase orders in QuickBooks Online do not affect any of your accounts; instead, they simply help you keep track of what you order.

 

You'll need to choose an account if you're using the Category details section. This way, you'll be able to save the purchase order without any errors.

 

You may find these articles helpful:

 

For account-related discussion, feel free to reach out to our QuickBooks Online Support.

 

  1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online Company.
  2. Click (?) Help at the upper right corner.
  3. Select Contact US on the pop-up.
  4. Enter a brief description of your concern then hit Continue.
  5. Click Get a callback.
  6. Enter your contact information.
  7. Select Call me.

You can always get back to me if you need more help with QuickBooks Online purchase orders. Have a nice day.

I
Ivank70
March 31, 2022

Did you get any solution to this error? On my side i still have a problem even after trying all they recommend to do here. I now think i have to change accounting system to sage cause quickbooks no enough support

R
ReymondOModerator
Moderator
March 31, 2022

Thanks for joining the thread, @Ivank70.

 

This isn't the kind of service we'd want to experience. I'll take note of your feedback and send it to the right department so we can improve our service. 

 

If you've already tried all the troubleshooting steps listed in this thread, I'd suggest getting in touch with our QuickBooks Online Customer support. That way, they can further investigate the cause of the issue and help you record the purchase orders. Here's how:

 

  1. Click the Help menu in the upper-right hand corner and click Talk to a human.
  2. Type in "Talk to a human", then press Enter.
  3. Look for I still need a human and click on it.
  4. Select Get help from a human.
  5. Choose between Chat with us, Schedule an appointment, or Have us call you.

 
Please check out our support hours to ensure that we address your concerns on time. 

Also, our Help articles might have something that can help you with your QuickBooks concerns, too. Just make sure that the topic is set as "QuickBooks Online" to browse for related posts.

 

Keep me posted about the result of your interaction with our supports. I want to make sure everything is taken care of for you. You can reach out to the Community at any time. Stay safe. 

T
theresa192422
December 4, 2022

Hi Did you solve this? I also encountered same problem.

 

 

 

M
mv32
Level 8
December 4, 2022

Hi @theresa192422. Thanks for joining the thread.

 

I can help you add a category to your purchase order. Make sure to set up a default category for that supplier/vendor. This is the crucial step mentioned by @alex-b to add an account to your supplier purchase order detail.

 

Here's how:

  1. Go to the Expenses menu and then select the Vendors section.
  2. Choose the vendor in question.
  3. Click the Edit button.



  4. Scroll down and go to the Accounting section to choose a default account.
  5. Hit Save.

 

Then you can cancel your PO and create a new purchase order to include an account detail.

 

If you've already tried all the steps shared by our fellow Community members and QuickBooks Team, I'd suggest contacting our QuickBooks Online Customer support. That way, they can further investigate the cause of the issue and help you record the purchase orders. Here's how:

 

  1. Click the Help menu in the upper-right-hand corner and click Talk to a human.
  2. Type in "Talk to a human", then press Enter.
  3. Look for I still need a human and click on it.
  4. Select Get help from a human.
  5. Choose between Chat with us, Schedule an appointment, or Have us call you.

 

Please keep us updated here. I'll be checking your reply to help you more. Keep safe and more power to you!

E
Erika_KQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
October 10, 2024

Your participation in this discussion is highly valued, PC2024. I want to take this opportunity to contribute insights regarding using accounts in your Purchase Orders (POs) and share some troubleshooting procedures to help you manage your POs effectively. But first, I'll need to gather more information. To tailor my insights and recommendations to your specific needs, I'd like to ask a few clarifying questions. This will help ensure the information I'll provide is relevant to your particular situation.

 

Before we continue, may I please know the specific challenges you experienced when you created a purchase order? Did you encounter the same error message, You must select an account for this transaction when adding or saving a purchase order? If you do, I recommend following the browser troubleshooting steps recommended by my colleague ReymondO above. 

On the other hand, if you entered purchasing info in the Category details section and received the same error message or the Please fix the errors below and try again error, you may have missed inputting the necessary detail in the Category column. This issue alert indicates the need to add an account since this section is specifically for recording the accounts you used for the transaction. Hence, an account is a requirement for this specific segment. In this case, I suggest verifying the transaction, ensuring all information are entered. 



However, if haven't added any purchasing info in the Category details section, we can follow the troubleshooting procedures mentioned by my colleague above. 


Alternatively, if you experienced something different, may I please ask for the details about it? Understanding your situation will allow me to provide tailored assistance addressing your unique challenges or concerns. 

 

Drop a comment below if you have additional questions or need further clarification on any topic, PC2024. Your inquiries are important, and I’m here to provide the information and support you need. Whether details about using accounts in Purchase Orders (POs), troubleshooting procedures, or other related matters, I encourage you to share your thoughts.

Need QuickBooks guidance?
Log in to access expert advice and community support instantly.
Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement