How to Reactivate an Account in the Chart of Accounts — QuickBooks Online

Reactivating an account restores a previously inactive account so it can be used again for new transactions. While inactive, an account is hidden from your standard lists and cannot be selected on bills, invoices or expenses. Reactivating brings it back into your active workflow without losing any historical data.

Step 1 – Open Settings

Click the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner of the navigation bar, immediately to the right of the search bar.

Figure – Opening Settings

Step 2 – Open the Chart of Accounts

In the Settings menu, select Chart of accounts under the YOUR COMPANY section.

Figure – Opening the Chart of Accounts

Step 3 – Show Inactive Accounts

A Settings icon – Click the small gear above the account list, below the New account button.

B Show inactive accounts – Tick this option under Other so inactive accounts appear in the list.

Figure – Showing inactive accounts

Step 4 – Make the Account Active

The account immediately returns to the active list and can be selected on transactions again, with its full history intact.

A The inactive account – Inactive accounts show "(deleted)" after their name — for example, Accounting fee (deleted).

B Make active – Click Make active in the ACTION column to restore the account.

Figure – Making the account active