QuickBooks Tips & Tricks: What’s new in QuickBooks 2012?

In September or October each year Intuit releases a new version of their QuickBooks software. They improve many existing features and add others for the first time. Many of these changes are a direct result of feedback from users like you. That is why it is important to let them know about problems or suggestions you have using the options provided with the “Send Feedback Online” under the “Help” option on the grey menu bar.
The following is a quick rundown of the new features for QuickBooks 2012.

1. There is now a calendar you can access from within QuickBooks. Under the View option you can add a calendar icon to the icon bar. It is also accessible under Company on the menu bar. What do you get with this new feature? The calendar will track the transactions entered and due. You can also add To Do items here and track any appointments. Under the “Show” drop down you can select from every type of transaction QuickBooks processes to refine your view. It is an easy way to get a picture of your daily activity by day.

2. The Excel export now allows you to update existing reports with new data. When you click on the “Excel” button on the report menu bar, you are given the options to either create a new worksheet or update an existing one. If you choose to update, the following screen will appear:

Simply browse out to the report you want to update, select the correct worksheet and click on the Export button. QuickBooks will update the existing report with new data. Be aware that it may take some time for the update to complete depending on the complexity of the report and how much new data there is.

3. If you use memorized transactions to enter your recurring transactions (and you should to save time – ask us how if you’re not sure what to do!) you now have the option which transactions to enter when you open your file and which to postpone until a later time. You also see individual transaction detail so you can decide which transactions to enter at that time as shown below.

4. QuickBooks has upped the technological component with 2012.  You can now scan from within the program.  When you click on the Docs icon or the Attach button when in an invoice or other form, the pop up window below appears:

After you click on the scan option, the QuickBooks Scan Manager will open. QuickBooks then links to your attached scanner and begins the scan process. When it is completed you can attach the document. In addition to the scan feature, you still have the option to attach files from your computer and the document center.

5. There is a new Lead Center in QuickBooks that helps you track new contacts. You can access this center under “Company>Lead Center” on the menu bar. You can manually enter leads directly in the lead center or import a list from Excel. The center will keep all your leads organized and you can convert a lead to a customer when you land the business.

6. You can now create a credit memo from the original invoice. This saves time and possible errors because it will enter the item data from the original invoice when you click on “Create>Credit Memo” for this Invoice. You can delete or edit lines in the credit memo as needed.

7. There is a new category in the Report Center called Contributed. This section allows you to browse reports created by other users and Intuit that are not included as standard reports. In addition to viewing the reports you can read the details of report set up and any reviews that other users submit. You have the opportunity to rate the report and can add it to your favorites tab in the report center.

Now if you create a report that meets a particular need you have in your business it may also meet the needs of other QuickBooks users and you can share it with them. On the report menu there is a new button “Share Template”. It becomes active after you modify a report. When you click to share the report the window shown below opens.

This first tab is the basic information for the report. Notice that you can share this without using your name if you choose. The email address is for Intuit to contact you if they have any questions.

The second tab in the window is shown below. It allows you to select the category for the report and to indicate what industries might be interested in using it.

Please call any of our QuickBooks ProAdvisors if you would like more detail on these tips or if you have any other QuickBooks questions at (850) 435-8300.


**These tips are based on the 2012 version of QuickBooks.