[GNC] Double Line View Possible Bug?

[Paul Feakins]

Hi Derek,

I'm sure this won't change your mind, but logically if there is an 
option to default to "Single Line", a user would expect all accounts to 
follow this preference unless stated otherwise.

I am not using multiple currencies, and appreciate your work-around 
suggestions.

They are of type "Accounts Receivable" because in accounting 
terminology, that is what they are. I have multiple sub-accounts so that 
I can easily track which clients owe which money and keep track. I do 
not use Customers as they should be used, so I accept I'm not using the 
software how it should be used in some ways. It would be a huge job to 
correct this now.

I have implemented my own reports for those, however in my code when I 
parse the XML, I do look at the account type ...

I take the .gnucash file, unzip it, parse the XML in PHP and put it into 
the database of a CakePHP application called Webzash: https://webzash.org/

 From that database I can get any reports/data I like to automatically 
chase customers or even submit our VAT return to HMRC via MTD which it 
does using some of the code I shared here: 
https://github.com/paulfeakins/hmrc-mtd-api-php


	

	

Kind regards,


    Paul Feakins

Managing Director




	Antropy.co.uk <https://antropy.co.uk>

	Antropy Ltd, Crawley Business Centre, Stephenson Way, Crawley, RH10 1TN 
<https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQ2iBRDE5mHuHA7G6>

	

Antropy Ltd | Reg No: 06468795 | Registered in England & Wales




On 19/02/2026 14:56, Derek Atkins wrote:
> Sorry, it's not a bug, and we're not adding another option for it.
> If anything, the bug is allowing the user to turn off double-line-mode at
> all!
> But your objection is duly noted.  :)
>
> Also, yes, if you actually have subaccounts (WHY?? There's no reason for
> multiple A/R or A/P accounts unless you're using multiple currencies) then
> yes, you would need to clear out the subaccounts first.
>
> The only reports that expect the A/R or A/P account types are the business
> reports (customer report, ageing report, etc), bills-due reminder, etc.
>
> -derek
>
> On Thu, February 19, 2026 9:49 am, Paul Feakins wrote:
>> Hi Derek,
>>
>> I still think it's a bug because there is clearly an option NOT to
>> default to "Double Line", yet these accounts DO default to "Double Line".
>>
>> If these accounts need to be treated differently, there should be
>> another option for other account types if they are treated differently.
>>
>> I probably want them to remain Account Receivable as I'm sure some
>> reports would use the account type to give a report of how much money is
>> due, for example.
>>
>> The honest answer is I started using this software 18 years ago before I
>> knew much about accounting, and I was an IT contractor sending 1 invoice
>> per month.
>>
>> Now though, I'm glad I did it that way because I have numerous web-based
>> systems that use the data from GnuCash and send invoices and chaser
>> emails automatically. GnuCash wouldn't be able to automate that
>> considering we have hundreds of clients now.
>>
>> I tried to delete the parent Accounts Receivable account and it said I
>> must first delete or move the sub-accounts.
>>
>> I think if this really is desired behaviour there should be options:
>> Edit > Preferences > Register Defaults > Double line view
>> (Asset/Liability accounts)
>> Edit > Preferences > Register Defaults > Double line view (Accounts
>> Receivable/Liability accounts)
>>
>> It's a minor irritation, but most definitely a bug in my opinion.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Kind regards,
>>
>>
>>      Paul Feakins
>>
>> Managing Director
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 	Antropy.co.uk<https://antropy.co.uk>
>>
>> 	Antropy Ltd, Crawley Business Centre, Stephenson Way, Crawley, RH10 1TN
>> <https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQ2iBRDE5mHuHA7G6>
>>
>>
>>
>> Antropy Ltd | Reg No: 06468795 | Registered in England & Wales
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 19/02/2026 14:23, Derek Atkins wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> On Thu, February 19, 2026 9:17 am, Paul Feakins wrote:
>>>> Hi Geert,
>>>>
>>> [snip]
>>>> I am starting to think this really is a genuine bug rather than desired
>>>> behaviour.
>>> Nope, this is specific, desired behavior of the business account types.
>>> And you are correct, once you have data in the account, you are not
>>> allowed to change the type by hand.  Again, not a bug -- it's designed
>>> that way so as not to break the business features.
>>>
>>> Something you can try... (MAKE A BACKUP FIRST IN CASE THIS DOESN'T
>>> WORK)..
>>> Try to delete the A/R account.  GnuCash /should/ ask you where to move
>>> the
>>> transactions, and you should be able to select an Asset account.
>>>
>>> I say "should" because I don't remember if this action is blocked, too.
>>> This is why I suggest making a backup, so if it doesn't work you can
>>> exit
>>> gnucash and restore the backup.
>>>
>>>> I am pretty familiar with GnuCash having used it since 2008 when I
>>>> started my business, it has been fantastic and I've integrated it with
>>>> other open source systems to create a pretty good accounting system.
>>> I'm just curious -- if you're using it for your business, why don't you
>>> use the Invoice/Bill features?
>>>
>>> -derek
>>>
>