Am I misunderstanding - Are the changes i make only for printing to printer. If I don't like the way the system configures reports am I stuck with the defaults.

This is true because of the dynamic nature of the chart of accounts. You can add or delete "rows" (i.e., accounts) in the chart of accounts (an thus the reports) at any time. If the system were to remember "hide row 23", for example, that row might contain something completely different the next time.

It is possible that the system contains other features that may help with your problem. Please post to the Income Statements and Cash Flow Reports forum, the Balance Sheets forum, etc. with your question. Please tell us the type of report you want to print and how the standard reports differ.