How do you merge duplicate customers or vendors?

• A. Edit one name to match the other; QuickBooks will prompt to merge.
• B. Export duplicates, edit names to be identical, then re-import.
• C. Use the Merge option under the Transactions tab.
• D. Delete one and recreate the other.

Answer: (A)

Merging duplicates in QuickBooks Online is done by aligning two records so QuickBooks can consolidate them into a single customer or vendor. When you edit one name to exactly match the other (same spelling, punctuation, and format), QuickBooks detects that they refer to the same entity and prompts you to merge the two records. Choosing the merge combines all transactions and history under the single, primary record, so you don’t lose data and you don’t have to re-enter past activity. The result keeps the complete history intact on one profile and eliminates the duplicate record from your lists.

Exporting duplicates, adjusting names, and re-importing isn’t a reliable way to merge because it can reintroduce duplicates or detach transaction links, leading to data integrity issues. A separate “Merge” option in the Transactions area isn’t the standard workflow in QuickBooks Online; the merge is triggered when you make the names identical and confirm the merge. Deleting one record and recreating it would discard linked transactions and history, creating gaps and additional work to reconstruct records.