To move your company file, select the method that best fits your situation:
Back up and restore the company file
Use this method to relocate your company file permanently to a new computer:
- In QuickBooks 2007 and later versions, the backup function in QuickBooks saves everything you need to recreate your company file and QuickBooks environment in a new location.
- In QuickBooks 2006 and earlier versions, you must run the backup function and manually copy some additional files to ensure you have everything you need.
For details about moving a company file using this method, refer to the instructions for your version of QuickBooks:
Note: If you are using QuickBooks to do your payroll, the payroll tax table will need to be downloaded after moving the file.
Create a portable company file in QuickBooks, or copy and paste the company file in Windows
The main difference between these two methods is that creating a portable company file compacts the data file so it is easier to move using e-mail or small portable devices. back up to laptop, . If your portable company file is still larger than your e-mail program will allow as a file attachment, you may be able to compress the file size further using a third party file compression program, or you may need to use another medium such as a CD or USB drive to transfer the file to another computer.
Because these methods of moving a company file do not back up everything you need to recreate the full QuickBooks environment on another computer, you should only use them to move a company file temporarily. back up to laptop, . For example:
- Send the file to another person to work on, and then send it back.
- E-mail the file to your home, work on it there, and then e-mail it back.
- Copy the file to a local hard drive from a network server location to perform certain functions--such as upgrading the file to use in a new version of QuickBooks--and then copy it back.
Caution: You cannot merge changes made to a copy of the company file into the original company file. back up to laptop, . If you copy a company file temporarily and make changes to it while someone else makes changes to the original company file, you will lose one person's changes. back up to laptop, . Make sure no one works in the original company file until after you restore the copy back to its original location.
For more information, refer to "Portable company files overview" or "Copy a company file using windows."