To see journal entries in QuickBooks Online, select Search > Advanced transactions search, set Transaction type to Journal, and open the entry you need. Use the Journal report to review multiple entries within a date range. Sign in only through QuickBooks’ own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
The short version
- Find one entry: Open Advanced transactions search and set Transaction type to Journal.
- Review several entries: Open the Journal report, set the dates, and filter for Journal Entry.
- Start with an account: Find an affected account and use View register or Run report.
- Check entry history: Administrators can inspect changes and deleted-entry records through Audit log.
| Method or place | Use it to | Requirement or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced transactions search | Find and open a journal entry | Journal-entry access |
| Search | Search by details or review recent transactions | Results depend on permissions |
| Journal report | Review multiple entries by date | Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, or Advanced |
| Transaction journal | View one entry’s journal report | Access to the underlying entry |
| Account register | Find an entry affecting a known account | Account offers View register |
| Account report | Review transactions for an account | Account-report access |
| Transaction and ledger reports | Review journal-entry rows in other reports | Availability varies by report and plan |
| Saved report or export | Reopen a report or view a separate copy | Report and customization access |
| Audit log | Inspect changes or deleted-entry records | Administrator access |
| Recent Automatic Transactions | Open entries generated from recurring templates | Scheduled recurring templates; Australian help workflow |
| Recurring Transactions | Inspect a template’s details and schedule | Recurring transactions; Australian help workflow |
| Adjusted Trial Balance | Review balances and adjusting entries | QuickBooks Online Accountant; Canadian help workflow |
| Full browser interface | Use web methods when starting from the mobile app | Computer, laptop, or tablet |
| Custom user role | Grant permission to view journal entries | Authorized administrator in Advanced or Intuit Enterprise Suite |
Find and open a journal entry
In QuickBooks Online’s web interface, select Search, then choose Advanced transactions search. In Transaction type, select Journal. Adjust the date and other filters as needed, then select the journal entry you want to view.
If you know a detail about the entry, select Search and enter its reference number, amount, date, or memo. You can also enter a phrase combining transaction details or review the recent transactions shown there. Press Return for the full results, select Transactions, and open the matching entry.
If you are starting from the QuickBooks mobile app, open a browser on a computer, laptop, or tablet to access the full accounting interface. Sign in with the same Intuit account you use in the app, then select the company if prompted. You can then follow the web search, report, or register steps.
View entries in the Journal report
To review several entries together, go to Reports > Standard reports. In Find report by name, select Journal, then set Date range to the period you need. These Modern View steps apply to QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced.
To narrow the report to journal-entry transactions, filter it by Transaction type equals Journal Entry. Review the report, then optionally group the data to organize it.
For one entry’s journal report, open Search > Advanced transactions search, set Transaction type to Journal, and select the entry. Inside it, select More > Transaction journal. You need permission to open the underlying entry to use this route.
Find entries through an affected account
If you know which account an entry affects, go to All apps > Accounting > Chart of accounts. Find the account and select View register. Locate Journal in the Ref No. or Type column.
Select the entry to expand it, then select Edit to open the full entry. This route requires access to the account and applies to accounts that offer View register.
If the account does not offer a register, use its account report. Go to Settings > Chart of accounts, find the account, and select Run report in the ACTION column or from the View register dropdown. Review the account’s transactions for the relevant journal entry; you need account-report access for this route.
Review entries in other accounting reports
To view journal-entry rows in another transaction or ledger report, go to Reports > Standard reports. Use Find report by name to open General Ledger or Transaction List by Date.
Depending on your plan, you can also open Transaction Detail by Account or Transaction List with Splits. Set the relevant reporting dates and review the journal-entry rows. Available customization varies by report and subscription.
If you use QuickBooks Online Accountant, Intuit’s Canadian help gives a separate route for reviewing adjustments. Go to Reports > Standard reports > Adjusted Trial Balance, then select Customize as needed. Review the account balances before and after adjustments and the total adjusting entries.
Find recurring entries and inspect their templates
For entries generated from recurring templates, Intuit’s Australian help gives a report workflow. Go to Reports > Standard reports, then search for and select Recent Automatic Transactions. Select the relevant journal-entry transaction to display it.
To inspect a recurring template using Intuit’s Australian workflow, select the gear icon, then choose Recurring Transactions. Select the journal-entry template, then select Edit to inspect its transaction details and schedule. A template is not proof that an entry has posted. Use Recent Automatic Transactions to find entries created automatically by Scheduled templates; for an entry created manually from a Reminder or Unscheduled template, use the Journal report or Advanced transactions search.
Save a report or export a copy
After customizing a journal report, select Save customization or Save as, enter a report name, then select Save. To reopen it later, go to Reports > Custom reports and select the saved report. You need access to the underlying report and its customization options.
The saved report’s dropdown also offers Export as PDF and Export as Excel for viewing outside QuickBooks. Exported files are snapshots, so reopen the report in QuickBooks when you need current information.
Inspect changes and deleted entry records
To inspect an entry’s history, including records of a deleted entry, an administrator can open Settings > Audit log and select Filter. Choose the relevant User, Date, or Events filters, then select Apply. Locate the journal-entry event in the results.
Where available, select View in the History column to inspect the event. This displays the history rather than restoring a deleted entry.
Fix date filters and viewing permissions
If you are looking for an entry older than two years, select Advanced transactions search and adjust the date filter to include it. Use this route for older entries instead of relying on the initial global search results. Search results also depend on your access permissions.
In QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite, an authorized administrator can grant journal-entry viewing access through a custom role. Open Settings > Manage users > Roles > Add role, then enter Role name and Role description. Under Accounting, give Journal entries the View permission, then select Save Role.
To assign the role, open Users, find the user, and select Edit in Action. Choose the role, then select Save. The role controls access; after it is assigned, use search or another viewing method to open the entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Journal report included in QuickBooks Online Free or Lite?
No. Intuit says QuickBooks Online Free and Lite include only the Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Account List standard reports, so the Journal report isn't part of those plans. Intuit’s Journal report steps cover Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced.
How long can you view journal entry events in the audit log?
You can view audit events for two years. This limit applies to audit history, separately from the search route for journal entries older than two years.
Can you switch the Journal report back to Classic View?
Intuit retired Classic View for every report type and plan by August 18, 2026. Use the Modern View Journal report instead of looking for the former Switch to Classic View option.
Does Adjusted Trial Balance list every ordinary journal entry?
No, Adjusted Trial Balance is an adjustment-review report in QuickBooks Online Accountant, rather than a list of every ordinary journal entry. To review journal-entry transactions across a date range, use the Journal report with the Journal Entry filter.