Converting a company file between QuickBooks for Mac and QuickBooks for Windows

Overview

Critical Note:The Export to Mac feature is not working for QuickBooks for Windows 2009 Release 1. . The files that are created from the export are 88 byes in size and have no data in them. . This issue has been resolved in the latest release for QuickBooks 2009 and Enterprise 9.0. . Please update your program to the most current release.

When converting a company file between Microsoft Windows and Macintosh versions of QuickBooks, some data is not converted or adversely affected. . This is because of differences in features, report filters and database structure. . Carefully check the integrity of your file before and after the transfer between the two platforms.

Some effects of cross-platform conversions are:

  • Reconciliationsare significantly affected.
  • Reportsand/ormemorized transactionsmight not function properly or they might cause error messages during conversion.
  • Round Trip Errorscan occur when upgrading a data file to a later version of QuickBooks between platforms. . See Error: "Cannot import the Round Trip file"for more information.

Note:Be sure you have the latest releaseof both versions of QuickBooks.

Which versions of QuickBooks for Windows can be converted to which versions of QuickBooks for Mac

QuickBooks File Type

Mac 5.0

Mac 6.0

Mac 2005

Mac 2006

Mac 2007

Mac 2009

QuickBooks 2003 .QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2003 .QBW

N

Y

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2004 .QBB

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

QuickBooks 2004 .QBW

N

Y

Y

Y

N

N

QuickBooks 2005 .QBB

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

QuickBooks 2005 .QBW

N

Y

Y

Y

N

N

QuickBooks 2006 .QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2006 .QBW

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2006 .MAC.QBB

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

QuickBooks 2007 .QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2007 .MAC.QBB

N

N

N

N

Y

N

QuickBooks 2008.QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2008 .MAC.QBB

N

N

N

N

Y

N

QuickBooks 2009 .QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

QuickBooks 2009.MAC.QBB

N

N

N

N

N

Y


QuickBooks File Types:

  • .QBB - QuickBooks Backup
  • .QBW - QuickBooks Company file
  • .MAC.QBB - QuickBooks MAC Backup (2006 and later)

Converting a data file from QuickBooks for Windows to QuickBooks for Mac

Note:Converting the file back and forth between Mac and Windows for QuickBooks 2007 requires QuickBooks for Windows release R11 and QuickBooks for Mac R7.

  1. Open the file you are converting in QuickBooks for Windows:
    • QuickBooks 2006 and 2007: Choose File > Utilities > Copy Company File for QuickBooks for Mac. . The file is saved with the extension.QBB. . MACis appended to the file name.
    • QuickBooks 2005: Choose File > Backup.
  2. Select a location to save the backup file, for example the Desktop.
  3. Move the file using a CD-ROM, Thumb-drive, flash or other USB device. . Do not email the file.

Important: It is not possible to rename other file types to .QBB in order to facilitate the transfer of company files from Mac to Windows or back to Mac. . These files can only be created by the program through following the steps outlined above.

Which versions of QuickBooks for Mac convert to which versions of QuickBooks for Windows

QuickBooks File Type

Windows 2003

Windows 2004

Windows2005

Windows 2006

Windows 2007

Windows 2008

Windows 2009

Mac 5.0 .QF50

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac 5.0 .QBMB

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac 6.0 .QBMB

N

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac 6.0 .QBMD

N

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac 6.0 .QBB

N

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2005 .QBMB

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Mac Pro 2005 .QBMD

N

N

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2005 .QBB

N

N

Y

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2006 .QB2006

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2006 .QBMB

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2006 .QBB

N

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

Mac Pro 2007 .QB2006

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2007 .QBMB

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Mac Pro 2007 .QBB

N

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Mac 2009 .QBMB

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Mac 2009 .QBB

N

N

N

N

N

N

Y


QuickBooks File Types

  • .QF50 - QuickBooks 5.0 for Mac data file
  • .QBMD - QuickBooks for Mac data file
  • .QBMB - QuickBooks for Mac backup
  • .QB2006 - QuickBooks 2006 for Macdata file
  • .QBB - QuickBooks Windows backup (2006)
  • .QB2007 - QuickBooks Pro 2007 for Mac
  • .QB2009 - QuickBooks Accounting 2009 for Mac

Converting a data file from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows

  1. With the company file open in Mac, select theFilemenu:
    • QuickBooks 6.0 and 5.0: SelectCreate a file for QuickBooks for Windows.
    • QuickBooks 2005: SelectTo QuickBooks for Windows.
    • QuickBooks 2006 and 2007: SelectBack Up to QuickBooks for Windows(or click theWindows Backupicon on the far right side of the icon bar).
  2. In theSave Asfield, type a name for the file or accept the default. . In theWherefield, save this file to yourDesktop.
  3. ClickSave.The file now has the QBB extension necessary for restoring into QuickBooks for Windows.
  4. Move the file using a CD-ROM, Thumb-drive, flash or other USB device. . Do not email.
  5. In QuickBooks for Windows, select theFilemenu and selectRestore. . Browse to find the .QBB file that was created on the Mac.
  6. In theRestorewindow, select the .QBB file, select a location on your computer to restore the file to, and clickRestore.
  7. When you are prompted to convert the file, typeyes.

When the conversion process is complete, the file opens in QuickBooks for Windows and is ready for review.

KB ID# 1000640
Did this article help you?
11/21/2009 8:41:51 PM