![QuickBooks Help](https://uxfabric.intuitcdn.net/web-app/sh-exp-sbg-app-experience/sbg_ohh_icon.19f2ae89.png)
Open and use a secondary company file in QuickBooks Desktop
by Intuit• Updated 1 month ago
Do you want to open two company files at the same time? With QuickBooks Accountant or QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, you can have 2 company files open in 2 different versions of QuickBooks Desktop.
When working with 2 company files, the first opened file is labelled Primary and the second opened file is labelled Secondary. If you close the Primary company file, the Secondary becomes the Primary file.
There are 3 ways to open a Secondary file. While the first company file is open:
- Double-click the second company file's name.
- Double-click the QuickBooks icon.
- Go to the File menu, then select Open Second Company.
Note: Don't use the File menu > Open or Restore Company to open a second company file.
Restrictions
Listed below are the restrictions when opening a Secondary company file. Note that user permissions can't override them.
Restrictions on both Primary and Secondary files
You can't perform the operations listed in the table in either file when 2 company files are open.
Area | Restriction |
---|---|
Accountant Menu |
|
QuickBooks Services |
|
App Centre |
|
Intuit Data Sync (IDS) |
|
Internet Connection Setup |
|
Registration and Licensing |
|
SDK Applications |
|
Tax Product Integration |
|
Update QuickBooks Desktop |
|
Restrictions on the Secondary file
In addition to the operations listed in the preceding table, you can't perform the following operations on the Secondary file if 2 company files are open.
Area | Restriction |
---|---|
Banking |
|
Company Menu |
|
Complex Passwords |
|
Customize Design and Layout |
|
File Menu |
|
New Business Checklist |
|
Payroll |
|
Printer Setup |
|
QuickBooks Messenger |
|
Template List |
|
Year-End Guide |
|
Restrictions on QuickBooks Help
You can only open QuickBooks Help (press F1 on your keyboard) in either the Primary or Secondary file.
Sign in now for personalized help
See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.
More like this
- Create or add another company file to QuickBooks Onlineby QuickBooks•224•Updated May 30, 2024
- QuickBooks Online Supportby QuickBooks•346•Updated 7 days ago
- Get started and adjust settings after you sign up for QuickBooks Onlineby QuickBooks•730•Updated May 07, 2024
- Add and manage users in QuickBooks Onlineby QuickBooks•453•Updated 16 hours ago
- Change the primary admin user in QuickBooks Onlineby QuickBooks•351•Updated May 30, 2024