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Why Is There No Automatic Decimal Point in QuickBooks Online?

Why QuickBooks Online lacks the automatic decimal point feature found in QuickBooks Desktop and how to work around it.

Overview

Users who have worked with QuickBooks Desktop may notice that QuickBooks Online does not have an "automatically place decimal point" option. This feature, which automatically inserts a decimal point when entering dollar amounts, is available in Desktop but was not included in the Online version.

Why the Feature Is Missing

Intuit did not include the automatic decimal placement as a configurable option in QuickBooks Online. This is one of several features that exist in QuickBooks Desktop but have not been carried over to the Online version. The two products share a name but have different codebases and feature sets.

Workarounds

  • Enter the decimal manually -- When entering amounts in QuickBooks Online, you will need to type the decimal point yourself. For example, type 125.50 rather than relying on automatic placement.

  • Use keyboard shortcuts -- Familiarize yourself with the number pad on your keyboard for faster data entry, including the decimal key.

  • Double-check entries -- Without automatic decimal placement, it is easier to accidentally enter an amount like 12550 when you meant 125.50. Get in the habit of reviewing amounts before saving transactions.

Tips

  • If the automatic decimal point feature is critical to your workflow, QuickBooks Desktop still offers it. You can find it under Edit > Preferences > General > My Preferences.
  • Consider submitting a feature request to Intuit through the QuickBooks Online feedback portal if this is a feature you would like to see added.