Skip to content
Enjoy complimentary data migration when switching from your existing bookkeeper or CPA to Institution.
Ledger and journals

Add descriptions to individual journal lines

Keep account-specific explanations alongside each debit and credit.

Updated 2026-11-11

A line Description explains one part of a journal. It is useful when several lines use similar accounts or when a single adjustment covers different periods, departments or source records. The description stays with the line instead of replacing the entry's overall Journal reason.

In an editable draft, locate the line and enter its description next to the Ledger account. The field allows up to 1,000 characters. Keep the account name and amount visible while editing so the explanation remains attached to the intended debit or credit.

If you copy a line, review its description along with the copied account and amount. A duplicate line can retain a source reference that belongs only to the original. Moving lines preserves their content, but changing the order is still a good moment to check that the explanations remain coherent.

Some readers can see journal dates, accounts and amounts while descriptions are hidden by financial or payroll permissions. Do not treat a missing memo in another person's view as proof that it was never entered. Ask an authorized reader to verify the saved record if the description is needed for review.

Was this article helpful?

Tell us whether this answered the question you came with.

Related articles

Still stuck?

Tell us what you were trying to do and where it went wrong. If you are already a client, you can also open a support case from Help and support in your workspace.

We confirm who you are before we change anything on an account.