How To Print Checks in QuickBooks Desktop: A Guide

Click Banking from the main menu bar on the top of your dashboard, and then select Write Checks from the drop-down list. Alternatively, you can select Write Checks in the Banking section of your home page, as shown below.

Two ways to navigate to the Write Checks menu

QuickBooks Desktop will now display the Write Checks window. To create your check, you need to provide the information needed on QuickBooks Desktop.

Write Checks window in QuickBooks Desktop

1. Bank Account: Select the bank account from which the money will be deducted.
2. Print Later: Check this box if you want to create the check now but print later as part of a batch. Checking this box will replace the check number on the check preview with the message “TO PRINT.”
3. Pay to the Order of: Enter the Payee Name, and the address information will be completed automatically.
4. No.: If you’re printing the check now, enter the number from the check you will place in the printer. If Print Later is checked, this will read “TO PRINT.”
5. Date: Enter the date when you are issuing the check.
6. Amount: Enter the amount.
7. Address: This field is automatically populated based on the information entered during the payee setup.
8. Memo: This field is optional, but you can use it to provide additional information, like the account number and the purpose of the payment.
9. Expenses or Items tab: Assign the check to one or more QuickBooks Accounts or Items, similar to how a bill is entered.

Click the Save icon at the top of the Write Checks screen, but don’t close the screen yet.

You can print checks individually or print multiple checks at a time. To choose, click the drop-down menu from the Print icon at the top of the Write Checks window, as shown below.

Selecting a check or batch of checks to print in QuickBooks Desktop

Individual Check

• Step 1: Enter the check number in the First Check Number field that matches the blank check in your printer:

Enter the check number

• Step 2: Choose the appropriate style: Voucher, Standard, or Wallet
• Step 3: Select the correct printer, and then click Print:

Select printer and check style

Batch-print Checks

After creating a check in Step 3, click Save & New and repeat the process to create all the required checks. Be sure all checks have the Print Later box marked at the top of the screen. From the final check, click the drop-down menu under the print icon and select Batch. The Select Checks to Print screen will show all checks that have been created but not yet printed.

Batch print checks in QuickBooks Desktop

• Step 1: Select the bank account from which the checks will be written.
• Step 2: Mark the checks you need to print by clicking on the box next to the check.
• Step 3: Enter the check number from your first blank check inserted in the printer in the First Check Number field and click OK.

From there, it is the same as printing a single check. Select your printer, then choose the check style, and then click Print.

A window showing the list of bills already entered in QuickBooks Desktop appears. From here, select the bill or bills you want to pay by clicking the checkbox on the left side.

Select the bills to be paid in QuickBooks Desktop

To create a check in QuickBooks Desktop, you need to enter the required information.

Creating a check in QuickBooks Desktop

1. Payment Date: Enter the date you create the check.
2. Method: Choose check from the drop-down list.
3. Check Number: You can assign a check number or click “To be Printed.” If you select “To be Printed,” the check number is assigned automatically when your check is printed.
4. Account: Select the checking account from which the checks will be paid.

Click Pay Selected Bills to create the checks.

After clicking Pay Selected Bills, QuickBooks will show a payment summary. You have the option to:

Pay more bills or print checks in QuickBooks Desktop

1. Pay More Bills: Click here if you wish to create checks to pay additional bills
2. Print Checks: If you’re ready to print your checks, tap Print Checks
3. Done: If you want to print the checks later you can click Done.

You can locate the unprinted checks later by clicking Print Checks in the Banking section of your home page.

Accessing checks to be printed

After you click Print Checks, a window showing the list of unprinted checks will show up. Select the checks you want to print and click OK. Make sure that the number in the First Check Number field matches the number of the first check queued up in your printer.

Select checks to print in QuickBooks Desktop

As in the earlier section, the final step is to select the check style, choose your printer, and then click Print.

After you click Print Checks, a window showing the list of unprinted checks will show up. Select the checks you want to print and click OK. Make sure that the number in the First Check Number field matches the number of the first check queued up in your printer.

Select checks to print in QuickBooks Desktop

As in the earlier section, the final step is to select the check style, choose your printer, and then click Print.