Paul, It seems like you’ve decided to use GnuCash in a way that the GnuCash team doesn’t intend to support, and since you now have hundreds of clients your business has grown to a size that is beyond our abilities to support. The fact that GnuCash is Free-as-in-liberty software provides a simple solution: Fork GnuCash and make it behave however you like.
Regards, John Ralls > On Feb 19, 2026, at 07:11, Paul Feakins via gnucash-user > <[email protected]> wrote: > > 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 >>>> >> > _______________________________________________ > gnucash-user mailing list > [email protected] > To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: > https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user > ----- > Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. > You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All. _______________________________________________ gnucash-user mailing list [email protected] To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user ----- Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. 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