I have 3 company files on QB 2016. I have downloaded QB 2020 and only 1 company transferred. How do I transfer the other two companies?

Thanks for dropping by here in the Community, Marthad.

There are two ways to move your company files into the newer version of QuickBooks. You can either run a back up for each company files and restore them manually or upgrade into the 2020 version the first time you open the program.

Since some of the companies aren't imported, I suggest opening the older version of the program and create a copy. Here's how:

1. Click the File tab at the top menu bar, and select Back Up Company.
2. Hit Create Local Backup.
3. Choose necessary options.
4. Press Finish.

Check out this sample screenshot:

To restore the backup on your newer version, I recommend visiting this article (scroll down to Solution 1):

Move your company files to another computer.

For additional insights into the second method which is upgrading the program directly within QuickBooks 2020, I'm attaching the support link below:

Upgrade your company files after installing to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Please let me know if you have any other issues or concerns about the company files. I want to make sure everything is taken care of for you. Have a great weekend ahead.

Wow! Thank you for the ultra quick reply!  I should have told you I am on a Mac.  I don't have a choice for "local back up" 

Hi Marthad,

You can restore a backup copy of your company file. Let me walk you through how.

1. Go to File menu, then select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a backup copy and then Next.
3. Select Local Backup and then Next.
4. Browse your computer for your backup company file. It should look like this: [Your company name].qbb.
5. Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file. Then select Open.
6. When you're ready, click Save. If you see any messages about possibly overwriting your data, select the option that best fits your needs. Don't overwrite anything unless you know you want to.

I got this link in case you have other questions about QuickBooks: Account Management.

Reach out to us if you need anything else. I'm always right here to help.

This link doesn't work...

I'm here to help you with converting your company file from QB Mac 2016 to 2020, LillyBelle.

We'll need to have a .dmg back up file that we can restore to your 2020 version of QuickBooks for Mac. These are the steps to follow if you haven't created a back up file yet:

1. From the QuickBooks menu, select Preferences.
2. Select Backup.

Then, here's how to restore it:

1. Open the .dmg file.
2. Drag the company file to the folder where you’ll store the company file.
3. Go to File, then select Open Company to restore it.

You can check this article as your guide: Restore a backup (.dmg).

In regards with the link shared above, you'll want to open it using an incognito window. We can also clear the browser's cache. These are junk files stored by your browser that can prevent you to open it. If you'd like, you can also open it to another browser. 

Reach out back to me if you need further assistance with your company file.

My QuickBooks contains TWO distinct copies and uses TWO different accounting firms.

When I set up an Accountant Copy, am I doing that function for one firm at a time.

OR does a single Accountant Copy content ALL companies on my Books?

Thanks

Hello there, @MKE714.

At this time, opening multiple companies in QuickBooks Desktop is unavailable in QuickBooks. You'll need to open your companies one at a time.

To open your companies easier, you can go to File then click Open Previous Company. From there, you can select the company you want to open.

In case you want to learn more about navigating your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) account, visit our Help articles page for reference.

If you have more questions, please get back to this thread. We'd be happy to fill you in. 

@MKE714 

You can open 2 company files at the same time on Premier Accoutant edition. If you are not a ProAdvisor, you may purchase the one time license.

how do you create a company file for each company.  I don't see that option in my QB for MAC desktop version 4.1.2-69

Hello, @I am Kim.

I can guide you in creating a new company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks Mac.
2. From the No Company Open window, click the Get Started button.
3. In the Create New Company, enter information about your company:
   • Company Name
   • Legal Name
   • Address/Country
   • Company Start Date
   • Income Tax Form Used
   • Federal ID
4. Click the Next button.
5. Select the type of business that comes closest to describing your company.

You can follow the same set of steps when creating a new company file. Once completed,  QuickBooks creates all the accounts that have a checkmark. You can refer to this article for more detailed steps: QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2019 User's Guide (Go to page 4).

By the way, to get familiar with the program's features, you can visit our blog: QuickBooks Little Square.

Thanks for taking QuickBooks along with you on your small business journey. Wishing continued success for you and your business!

thank you.  I have already created one company and would like to create another one and also manage my personal bank account from QB.  I purchased another subscription (self employment) but this is soooooo not working out!  I really just need to manage my personal account and the current non-profit.  but can't see where to add my personal account... without the money ending up combined?

Hello again, @I am Kim. I appreciate your prompt response. 

To create another company file, you can follow the steps provided by my colleague @IamjuViel.

Moreover, please know that QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE) is a special version of QuickBooks built especially for freelancers, independent contractors, and service-based entrepreneurs.

To help you choose the product you need, you can check out this article for more detailed information: Choose the right version of QuickBooks. 

Reach back out to me by commenting below if you have any questions concerning QuickBooks. I'm always here to help. 

Is it possible to run two different stores in different locations in one company file

Thank you for joining this thread, @Nnahotic.

Currently, QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) don't have the option to set up two different stores in different locations in one company file. 

However, QBDT has a feature that can help you track every segment of your business, known as the class tracking feature. This feature will help you track account balances by department, business office or location, separate properties, or any other meaningful breakdown of your business.

For more details about the class tracking feature, please refer to this article link: Set up and use class tracking in QuickBooks Desktop. 

Also, to be up to dated about the latest product news in QuickBooks, please visit our QuickBooks blog. This article includes accounting advice, business tips and the what's new in QuickBooks. 

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have further questions. I'm always here to help you. Stay safe and take care always!

@Nnahotic 

Consider having an inventory management app with mobile sales feature to integrate with your QB Desktop file.

How do I setup a second company?

Hello, @CallaJ.

Depending on the QuickBooks version you're using, let me guide you on how to create a second company file in QuickBooks Desktop Mac and Windows. 

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

1. Open QuickBooks Mac.
2. From the No Company Open window, click the Get Started button.
3. In the Create New Company, enter information about your company:
   • Company Name
   • Legal Name
   • Address/Country
   • Company Start Date
   • Income Tax Form Used
   • Federal ID
4. Click the Next button.
5. Select the type of business that comes closest to describing your company.

You can follow the same set of steps when creating a new company file. Once completed,  QuickBooks creates all the accounts that have a checkmark. You can refer to this article for more detailed steps: QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020 User's Guide (Go to page 4).

On the other hand, here's how to create a second company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Click the File menu.
3. Select New Company from the drop-down list. 
4. 
5. Choose Express Start. 
6. Enter the new company’s name, address and contact information in the appropriate fields. 
7. Click Create Company.

You can browse these articles for more insights about creating a new company file: Start a new company file.

Keep me posted if you have other questions about managing your multiple company files in QuickBooks.

My create company stays grayed out even after all of the required information is inputted what is happening. I have had no problem inputting company files up to this point.

Let's sort this out so you can create a new company file, Western Pacific.

I'll share some steps that can resolve unexpected results when performing tasks in QuickBooks Desktop. 

First, make sure that there aren't any special characters (* or /) in the Business Name field. Otherwise, the Create Company button will be grayed out.

Second, if there are no special characters, let's update your QuickBooks is on the latest maintenance release. Here's an article that'll guide you through: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

Once done, go back to the File menu and click New Company. Enter all the required details and check if the Create Company button is already clickable. 

If you can't still click it, proceed to repairing the program. Let me share this quick guide with you: Repair your QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

You'll also want to check out these articles in case you want to import data after successfully creating the new company file. 

• Import or export MS Excel files
• Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop

Keep me posted if you still need help with this. The Community is always here to guide you. 

You just solved my problem I was using a / in the company name, I will try removing it and see if that is the problem! Thank you so much.....I will get back to you!

I use QB19 Pro and have 3 individual personal "companies" on my computer.  Am I to presume that I can load QB19 Pro onto another home computer and transfer one of my companies onto that computer without having to buy another license?  This is all for personal use and I will be the only one using it.

@JSRS 

You are allowed to install a QBD license for 1 user on 2 different machines, as long as they are not running at the same time.