Using Cost Subcategories

It won't let me enter a Subcategory!

In Goldenseal estimating software and accounting software, each hierarchy of cost categories and subcategories is set up in a Category System. Some of the stock systems that we provide have subcategories, and some don't.

Creating Category Systems

To use category systems, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Preferences from the Options menu, and choose Data Entry from the submenu.
  2. Turn on the Use Category Systems checkbox.
  3. Click OK.

To set up a category system so it includes subcategories, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Category Setup from the Costs menu, and choose Category Systems from the submenu.
  2. Click the New button, or select an existing system and click the Edit button.
  3. Enter a category into the top (category) table.
  4. Enter one or more subcategories into the bottom (subcategory) table.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each category you'd like to include.
  6. When you are finished, click OK.

Using Category Systems

To use a category system in job costs for a project account, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Projects from the Accounts menu.
  2. Click in the Category System field, and enter a system that has subcategories.
  3. Hit the Enter key to save the record.

When you enter costs for the project, you'll be able to enter subcategories.

To use a category system in an estimate, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Estimates from the Income menu.
  2. Click the More Info button.
  3. Click in the Category System field, and enter a system that has subcategories.
  4. Click OK.

When you enter cost items into the estimate's breakdown table, you'll be able to enter subcategories.

Troubleshooting Gude

Still no subcategories showing? Try the following:

  • Click in a different field and then click in the Subcategory field again (Goldenseal fills in the subcategory list when you first use the menu).
  • Do you have Goldenseal 2.9 to 3.01? Those versions have a bug which prevents the table from picking up the category system change right away. Leave the record and come back, and the table will show subcategories.
  • Do you have a category? Does the category have a subcategory? Check the Category System field and double-check that System (choose Category Setup from the Costs menu, and choose Category Systems from the submenu).
  • To temporarily change the Category System, choose Category Setup from the Costs menu, and choose Switch System from the submenu.

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