Easy Tech TutsHow to Edit Categories in QuickBooks Online, Change & Manage Easily 2026
By Impran M N
A messy Chart of Accounts doesn't have to mean starting over. QuickBooks Online lets you rename categories, restructure sub-accounts, and even merge duplicate entries while keeping your historical transactions intact. This guide covers editing both the Chart of Accounts and your sales-facing Products and Services categories.
01Open the Chart of Accounts
From the left sidebar, click Accounting, then Chart of Accounts to see your full ledger category list.
02Edit a specific account
Find the account you want to change, click the dropdown arrow on the right of its row, and select Edit.
03Update name and hierarchy
Change the account name, adjust its detail type, and check or uncheck Is Sub-Account to restructure its position in your hierarchy.
04Merge duplicate accounts
To merge two accounts, edit one so its name exactly matches the other, then confirm the merge prompt to consolidate all historical transactions.
05Manage sales categories separately
For customer-facing groups, go to the Gear icon and Products and Services to rename or batch-move items into new tracking families.
Frequently asked questions
Will renaming an account affect past transactions?
No, renaming updates the label going forward while preserving all historical transactions tied to that account.
How do I merge two duplicate accounts?
Edit one account so its name exactly matches the other, then confirm the merge prompt to combine both accounts' transaction histories.
Can I convert a standalone account into a sub-account?
Yes, checking the Is Sub-Account box during editing lets you nest it under a parent account and restructure your hierarchy.
Is editing Chart of Accounts categories different from editing Products and Services?
Yes, Chart of Accounts controls your internal ledger categories, while Products and Services manages the customer-facing sales items you invoice against.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
