Renaming rules: Frequently asked questions and common issues

When you download transactions from your financial institution, the payee names may not always look the way you expect. For example, a charge from Anytown Coffeehouse might appear as ATC LLC 005 PLEASANTON, making it harder to scan your register or run reports.

Renaming rules allow Quicken to automatically replace these long or inconsistent names with something more recognizable. This guide answers common questions about how renaming rules work and what to do when things don’t look right.

Note: Renaming rules apply only to new downloaded transactions. They don’t change names already recorded in your register and are separate from conditional renaming rules used in memorized payees.

Why does the payee name look wrong?

Downloaded transactions often include extra characters, store codes, or location details. These come directly from the merchant or bank. For example:

• ATC LLC 005 PLEASANTON

• ANYTWN COF#045-CA

These may refer to the same business but appear differently in your transactions. Renaming rules solve this by mapping those names to a cleaner, consistent version.

How do I create a renaming rule?

You can create a renaming rule in several ways.

From a transaction in your register

1. Edit the payee name directly in the register.

2. Save the transaction.

3. When prompted, choose whether to create a renaming rule for future downloads.

From the Renaming Rules dialog

1. Go to Tools > Renaming Rules.

2. Click Add a Rule.

3. Enter the standardized payee name you want to use.

4. Choose a match method:

   • Payee contains: Matches text in the payee or memo field.

   • Quicken name is: Matches known merchant names from Quicken’s internal list.

From the Memorized Payee List

1. Go to Tools > Memorized Payee List.

2. Select multiple similar names using Ctrl+click or Shift+click.

3. Click Merge/Rename.

4. Enter the name you want to keep.

5. Select Apply to future downloaded transactions.

6. Click OK to save the renaming rule.

Can I stop Quicken from renaming a specific payee?

Yes. If there’s a payee you don’t want renamed:

1. Go to Tools > Renaming Rules.

2. Open the Do-Not-Rename Rules tab.

3. Click Add a Rule and enter the name you want to exclude.

Why didn’t my renaming rule apply?

Check the following:

• The rule applies only to future downloads. It does not affect existing transactions.

• The downloaded name must match the text or condition in your rule.

• Use Payee contains for broader matches if names vary.

• Do-Not-Rename Rules override all other renaming rules.

• Transactions renamed conditionally by memorized payee rules are not affected by these global rules.

How do I see or change my rules?

Go to Tools > Renaming Rules to view, edit, or delete any rule you've created.

• Use the Edit, Delete, or Add icons to manage rules.

• Use the Do-Not-Rename Rules tab to see any payees you've excluded.

Can I reverse a renamed payee?

Yes. To view the original downloaded name:

1. Right-click the renamed payee in your register.

2. Select Revert to [original name].

You can right-click again to switch back to the renamed version.

What types of accounts use renaming rules?

Renaming rules apply only to online-enabled accounts. They do not apply to:

• Manual accounts

• Online bill payees

• Transactions from the Quicken Mobile or Web apps that are not downloaded from financial institutions