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M
Mark3
September 7, 2020
Question

Missing data

  • September 7, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1 view

 I spent hours entering data yesterday and made sure that I backed up before shutting down. This morning I open QB and see that I am missing everything and more that I entered. I restored the back up from yesterday but the data is still missing. I have just lost hours of data input.

3 replies

DivinaMercy_N
DivinaMercy_NModerator
Moderator
September 7, 2020

I'm here to make sure you're able to bring those missing data, @Mark3.

 

The following are some troubleshooting steps that you can perform. Let's start by making sure that you've opened the latest backup copy of your file. Here's how you can search it:

 

In QuickBooks

  1. From the QuickBooks menu, select Preferences.
  2. Select Backup.
  3. Click Reveal Backup Folder, then double-click the folder where you save your backup files.
  4. You can select Date Modified to sort by date and see your most recent backup.

 

Spotlight search

 

  1. Click the magnifying glass \uD83D\uDD0D icon in the menu bar.
  2. In the search field, enter .dmg, and then select Show all in Finder.
  3. To sort by date and see your most recent backup, hit Date Modified.

 

You'll need to look at each file, the largest file is likely to be the one with the most data in it. Once done, let's restore your backup company file. 

 

Possible data damage might have also caused missing data in QuickBooks. You can use the Verify and Rebuild Data tool that fixes unexpected and most common data issues. Let me walk you through the steps:

 

Verify data (scan company file for errors or data damage)

 

  1. Select File, then click Utilities.
  2. Choose Verify Data, then hit OK to close all windows. If you see “Your data has failed the integrity check” you need to rebuild your file. If there are no problems with your data, you’re done.

 

Rebuild data (fix errors or data damage found)

 

  1. Go to File, then select Utilities.
  2. Click Rebuild Data, then tap OK to close all windows.
  3. Choose OK to backup your company file.
  4. Once the rebuild's finished, select OK.

 

If you were unable to see it, I highly recommend contacting our Technical support team. They use specific tools to do a screen-sharing to further investigate the odd behavior of the software and help locate the missing data. 

 

Here's how to reach them:

 

  1. Visit this link: help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact. 
  2. Choose QuickBooks Mac Desktop.
  3. Click the Search for something else button.
  4. Enter Missing data in the Tell us more about your question: box.
  5. Hit Search.
  6. Select Start a Message.

 

Here's a great source where you can find articles that can help you in managing your account in QuickBooks, please visit our QuickBooks for Mac Help articles page. 

 

Please keep me posted if you have any other concerns about your QuickBooks data. I want to make sure everything is taken care of for you. Have a good one. 

M
Mark3Author
September 8, 2020

 

 

So, earlier today I attempted to restore the last backup that I had yesterday right after I had finished my last entries of the day. This backup also was missing the data that I entered yesterday. As I was fooling around with attempting to restore other pervious backups I notice that when I mounted my latest backup and clicked to "get info" about the file that the modified date and created date was august 22.  My backup was done sep 6. I then went back and looked at my last 7 backup files in the same way and they all have a modified date and creation date stamp of Aug 22 even though the dates that the back ups were actually made were  between Aug 23-Sept.  6  Shouldn't the creation and modified dates be the actual dates that I backed up the data?

 

katherinejoyceO
katherinejoyceO
Level 9
September 8, 2020

Thanks for the screenshot, @Mark3. Yes, you're right. The creation and modified date should show the actual dates that you create a back up for your data. 

 

In this case, I'd recommend you check your system date first on Mac. Also, ensure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. 

 

Here's how: 

 

  1. Choose the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences, then click Date & Time. 
  3. In the Date & Time pane, ensure that ”Set date and time automatically” is selected. 

 

Your Mac can then get the current date and time from the network time server selected in the adjacent menu. Once done, back up your data again and see if that works. 

 

If you encounter the same issue after doing all those steps, I'd suggest you contact our Customer Care team. They can take a closer look at the issue and help you fix it. 

 

I've got you an article that contains more information about how to back up your company file in QuickBooks Mac: QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2019 User’s Guide. 

 

Feel free to message again if you have other concerns. We're always delighted to help. 

N
NATIONWIDE IRRIGATION
May 16, 2021

I am having this same issue. Entered all data that had been deleted and did an immediate backup. Now when I go back into qb I am back to the day before I made the back up. I can see the back up file on my external hard drive with the date/time I backed up and that I want to restore but it automatically switches it to the previous file.

The image on the left is the file that keeps opening. The one on the right is the file that I want to restore. Any ideas??  I have followed all of the instructions, it still opens the file on the left. 

 

 

 

M
mv32
Level 8
May 16, 2021

Let's get you back to business, @NATIONWIDE IRRIGATION.

 

I appreciate that you've already tried the steps that my peers and the Community backers shared above. In this case, I'd suggest renaming the company file to check if the unexpected behavior can be removed by the system.

 

Next, is to update your QuickBooks for Mac to the latest release to fix system bugs within the program and have the latest features.

 

Additionally, since you're experiencing minor data issues with your company file, you can run the Rebuild Data tool. For the detailed steps, check out this article: Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

 

If the issue persists, I'd suggest contacting our QuickBooks for Mac Support team to investigate this hurdle further. They have tools to pull up your account in a secure session.

 

Please let me know if you have other concerns with fixing your backup company file. I'll be helping you anytime.

H
HatchEP
April 19, 2022

I have been having this problem too. Multiple times. In fact, today is the fourth time it has happened to me. I have been on the phone and chat with Quickbooks support and they aren't able to help. I have now gotten in the habit of shutting down my QB server at least once a day so that when this problem reoccurs we won't lose more that 24 hours worth of data. But this needs to be fixed! It sounds like its a problem specific to QB for Mac while using QB Server. My QB and QB Server applications are up to date with all updates (currently running: 18.0.14.3478 R15). I've tried everything mentioned in this thread other than renaming my company file, which I will try today. I'm not sure exactly how a different name is going to fix a time stamp issue, but I'll try anything at this point. Please fix this bug!!

AlexV
AlexV
Level 10
April 20, 2022

Good day, HatchEP!


Thanks for joining us here. I understand the struggle that this behavior has caused. I'm here to ensure that the data you entered will not be missing.


I'd also suggest you perform the renaming of your company file. This can help fix any unusual behavior including the missing data.


I assume you have already rebuilt your company file and updated your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac. If this issue persists, it'd be best to seek further help from our Support Team. I know you already contacted them, but they can perform an investigation to know the root cause of this issue.


In addition, I added these articles if you need assistance in creating a backup file and how to restore it:


If you have any other concerns regarding your company file, please let me know and I'll be glad to help. Need to pull up some reports or manage your lists? Count me in again and I'll assist you.

K
kailui
June 8, 2022

This has happened to me 3 times on 2 different versions of QB - currently 2021. I lost a week's data (invoices) yesterday and it was an absolute chore to reproduce.

 

I am an IT person so tech savvy to know where data files and backup files are located.

 

Is your data file on a cloud drive such as Google Drive or Dropbox? That's one of my suspicions as to possible cause.

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