How to Make an Item Inactive — Service in QuickBooks Online

Making a service inactive removes it from the active Products & Services list while preserving its transaction history. An inactive service can no longer be selected on new transactions unless it is restored.

Step 1 – Open Settings

Click the Settings (gear) icon in the upper-right corner of QuickBooks Online, just to the right of the search bar.

Figure – Opening Settings

Step 2 – Open Products & Services

In the Settings menu, select Products and services under the LISTS section. The Products & Services page opens, where you can view, create, edit and manage items, including making them inactive or restoring them.

Figure – Opening Products & Services

Step 3 – Choose Make Inactive

A Drop-down arrow – Locate the service to deactivate and click the arrow next to Edit in the ACTIONS column.

B Make inactive – Select Make inactive from the menu.

Figure – Choosing Make inactive

Step 4 – Confirm the Change

QuickBooks explains what happens: the item can no longer be edited on past invoices, bills or refunds, and it is marked as deleted but can be activated again for new transactions. Click Make inactive to confirm.

The service disappears from the active Products & Services list but remains in your company records and can be restored later if needed.

Figure – Confirming the change