4.4. Removing Categories

You can remove categories from the Category List in two ways. Hiding is a temporary solution, and perfect if you think you'll need the category again in the future; deleting is permanent, meaning you may have to recategorize some transactions. For example, if personal hygiene isn't a priority, you can delete the Personal Care category, which removes the category from the Category List completely. If you own a home but worry about your spouse kicking you out, you may want to hide the Rent category, so you can restore it if you have to make alternative living arrangements.

• Hiding a category. In the Category List window, turn on the Hide checkbox for every category you want to hide. To show them again, turn off the same checkboxes.

  ---

  Tip:

  If you don't see the category you want in the Category List window, check for hidden categories with the Show drop-down menu by choosing either "All categories" or "Hidden categories."

  ---

• Deleting a category. In the Category List window, click the name of the category you want to delete and then, at the right end of the category row, click Delete. If there are transactions assigned to that category, Quicken asks you to recategorize them, as shown in Figure 4-6. If you don't recategorize transactions, they become uncategorized and won't show up in reports (for taxes or actual spending, for example).