Learn how to verify and rebuild your data in QuickBooks Desktop.
The verify tool finds the most common issues in a company file and the rebuild tool fixes them.
Verify your company data
- Choose Window then Close All.
- Verify Data. Choose File then Utilities. Select Verify Data.If you see:
- "QuickBooks detected no problems with your data," no further action is needed.
- A specific error message, there may already be an article for it. Try searching for it in our QuickBooks Desktop support site for specific instructions.
- "Your data has lost integrity," indicates there is data damage in the file. Continue to the steps below to Rebuild Data to correct the problem.
Rebuild your company file data
- Choose File, Utilities then Rebuild Data.
- You will receive a warning message to backup your company file, press OK.A rebuild requires a company file backup beforehand because in rare cases the process may need to delete transactions or list entries to fix the file. A backup of your company file will ensure you have a secured copy of your company file before any changes are made to it.
- Select where you want to save your backup, then select OK at the bottom of the QuickBooks Desktop Backup window.
- If a message asks if you want to replace another backup file, select NO. Enter a new name in the File name field and click Save.
- If the backup fails, select Cancel at the Rebuild prompt and contact Support for additional assistance.
- The Rebuild Data utility starts as soon as the backup is finished.
- Click OK when you get the message "Rebuild has completed".
Check for remaining data damage
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- Run Verify Data again to check for remaining data damage. Select File, Utilities then Verify Data.
- If the Verify detects additional damage it means the damage will need to be manually corrected. Locate the error within the qbwin.log and search for a resolution at the QuickBooks Desktop Support site.
- If your error cannot be found, you can try restoring a recent backup. Choose File then Restore.
*Make sure that you do not overwrite your existing company file. Any information entered in the company file since the backup was created must be manually reentered after you restore.
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- For additional assistance contact Payroll Support.
- Select where you want to save your backup, then select OK at the bottom of the QuickBooks Desktop Backup window.