Converting a File from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows Because QuickBooks for Windows and QuickBooks for Mac use different types of databases, there is not an Accountant's Copy feature available in the Mac version of QuickBooks. For that reason, it is sometimes necessary to convert a file from the Mac version to the Windows version, and then back again.

Here’s a sample message with an Accountant’s Copy import file (.QBY) attached. In Outlook, right click on the attachment, and choose Save As in the drop down menu. Specify a location, and save the file. Write down the location you specify so you can quickly locate the file when you return to QuickBooks. If you want to email the file, but it is a very large file, one that has years and years of data, you may need to select option 2. Option 2 uses the The Accountant’s Copy File Transfer Service from QuickBooks®. Google calendar app for mac os. With this service the file is uploaded to the Intuit file servers online.

Reference the steps below to learn how to convert a QuickBooks file. Due to differences between operating systems, converting a file from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows requires some file preparation. Preparing the File • Copy the company file to the desktop. • Check for any special characters in the file name and company name. If there are any, rename the file and remove the special characters.

Note: Select QuickBooks > Preferences > My Company to find the company name. • Open the file in QuickBooks. • Delete all memorized transactions and memorized reports. • Rebuild the company file (select File > Utilities > Rebuild Data). • Run the Custom Transaction Detail Report, changing the date range to All and enabling the Memo column. • Select Reports > Custom Transaction Detail Report (Modify Report window opens).

• Select All from the Dates drop-down field. • Select Memo from the columns drop-down. Note: A checkmark appears when the column is selected.

• Click OK to run the report. • Check for any memos with names longer than fifty (50) characters or containing special characters.

If any are found, edit the transactions and remove the memos, then rebuild the file again (see step 5). Converting the File for Windows • Open the company file in QuickBooks for Mac.

• Select File > Backup to QuickBooks for Windows. • Specify a file name and save location in the Save As window. Note: It is best to simply save this file to your desktop. • Click Save and allow the backup process to run. Note: When complete, an instructional PDF file is offered for printing. It's a good idea to print this for the QuickBooks Windows user to refer to when restoring the file.

• Transfer the file (now appended with the required.QBB extension) to the Windows computer. Note: Intuit recommends that the file is transferred via CD or USB or FTP. E-mailing the file(s) could potentially cause unseen damage. • Open QuickBooks for Windows.

• Select File > Open or Restore Company. • In the Open or Restore Company window, select Restore a backup copy and click Next. • Select Local backup and click Next (Open Backup Copy window opens). • Find and select the.QBB file that came from the Mac user and click Open.

• Type 'yes' and then click OK when prompted to convert the file. Converting the Same File back to QB for Mac • Open the company file in QuickBooks for Windows. • Select File > Utilities > Copy Company File for QuickBooks for Mac.

• Save the file. Note: It is best to simply save the file to your desktop for ease of access.

• Transfer the file (now appended with the.MAC.QBB extension) to the Mac computer. • Open QuickBooks for Mac. • Select File > Restore > From a Disk. • Select the file. • Click Open. • Click OK when prompted to restore a QuickBooks for Windows file.

• Enter a name for the restored file. • Click Save.

The most common way we receive QuickBooks data from clients is via QuickBooks backup files (or.QBB files), so we’ve provided some short, simple instructions for how to send us this type of file. And if you’re interested, at the bottom of the page you can also dig into the details of why.QBB files are by far the most common type of file we work with (as opposed to.QBW or.QBA files). Note: If you use QuickBooks Online, for instructions on how to send us your data. The instructions below only apply to desktop versions of QuickBooks. Creating a QuickBooks Backup File Creating a.QBB File in QuickBooks for Windows • Open your QuickBooks company file • In the upper-left corner of the program window, choose File → Back Up Company → Create Local Backup. • In the new window, make sure the radio button next to Local backup is selected, then click Next.