Hi! Taking a course on using QuickBooks. I go to the website and log on. How do I open the file for a sample (service) company? Thanks!

Hello there, @feedbaylenny. Welcome to the Community.

Let's visit the QuickBooks Test-Drives and Trial Links page to open a sample company file for QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE). With this, you're able to use pre-filled sample data as a reference while taking your course and have a complete QuickBooks experience. Here's how:

1. Go to the QuickBooks Test-Drives and Trial Links website.
2. Scroll down to the Test-drive section.
3. Select the QuickBooks Self-Employed Test Drive hyperlink.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

On the same page, you're also able to view and download other QuickBooks test-drives (i.e., QuickBooks Online (QBO) and QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT)). This will give you the idea of choosing the product that's right for your business in the future.

In the meantime, I'm adding this article to learn more about the basics of QBSE: QuickBooks Self-Employed Overview. It answers the most frequently asked questions about the program and self-employed taxes, to name a few.

Please don't hesitate to comment below if you have other concerns about managing your QBSE account and transactions. I'm just around to help. Take care always.

Thank you. I haven't worked as quickly on this as I should.

Anyway, I ended up with Rock Castle Construction. How can I change that to Larry's Landscaping?

Lenny

Thank you. I haven't worked as quickly on this as I should.

Anyway, I ended up with Rock Castle Construction. How can I change that to Larry's Landscaping?

Lenny

Thanks for getting back to us here in the Community, @feedbaylenny.

I'm here to ensure you're able to open the sample company file you need. This way, you're able to broaden your expertise using QuickBooks.

Based on your description above, it seems that you've pulled up and want to use the QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) test drive. You're able to switch from one sample company (i.e., Rock Castle Construction) to the other (i.e., Larry's Landscaping) through the No Company Open window. For the detailed steps, here's how:

1. Open your QuickBooks Desktop (trial version).
2. On the No Company Open window, select the Open a sample file drop-down arrow. 
3. Select Sample service-based business option.
4. Click Open.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

I've attached a screenshot below that shows the second to fourth steps.

Also, I'm adding this article to further guide you in everything you need to know about QuickBooks: Get QuickBooks Desktop user guides. It includes do-it-yourself articles, training, or an expert to help you get familiar with the system.

Let me know in the comments below if you have other concerns in navigating the QuickBooks test company. I'm just around to help. Take care always.

I'm sorry. I'm really confused. Starting at the beginning, the attachment "qb icon" shows what's on my desktop. It opens to a screen that sends me to the other company. Other options there are creating my own company file and opening an existing company file. How can I get to the No Company Open window?

Thanks!

Lenny

I'm sorry. I'm really confused. Starting at the beginning, the attachment "qb icon" shows what's on my desktop. It opens to a screen that sends me to the other company. Other options there are creating my own company file and opening an existing company file. How can I get to the No Company Open window?

Thanks!

Lenny

Thanks for sharing a screenshot with us and for going through the steps shared by my colleague above, Lenny.

I’m here to guide you on how to view the No Company Open window in your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) software. Just a few steps and you’re all set. Let me show you how.

Hover to the File menu and select Close Company. From the No Company Open window, you can proceed to the steps shared by my colleague Rea_M above.

Furthermore, to be guided in learning your ways around QBDT, check out these links for your reference:

• Get QuickBooks Desktop user guides
• QuickBooks Support.

In case you need further assistance in knowing your ways around QBDT, feel free to tag me in your reply. I’ll be around ready to assist you. Have a good one.

Thanks, but I went to File > Close Company and hovered over it. Nothing happened so I clicked it, and got returned to the starting page (attached). I'm sure I'll be fine once I get to the No Company Open window.

Lenny

Thanks for getting back to this thread and adding a screenshot, @feedbaylenny.

Have you tried clicking the I want to see a sample Company File on the starting page? This will walk you through the steps on how to view the Sample service-based business option in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). 

However, if you're still unable to access the No Company Open window, I'd recommend uninstalling the trial version and reinstall it again. There might be data damage while installing the sample product. This is the reason why you can't see this window.

Here's how to remove QuickBooks: 

1. Open the Windows Start menu. Search for Control Panel, then open Control Panel.
2. Select Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program.
3. From the list of programs, choose your version of QuickBooks Desktop you want to uninstall.
4. Click Uninstall/Change and then Remove. Select Next. 

Once done, follow these steps to reinstall QBDT.

After installing the program, open the trial version and go to the No Company Open window. Then, select the Open a sample file drop-down arrow and choose the Sample service-based business option. Finally, click Open and select OK once prompted.

Additionally, you can check out our QuickBooks Desktop user guides. This includes do-it-yourself articles, training, or an expert to help you get familiar with the system.

Should you have any follow-up questions or concerns, don't hesitate to post again here in the Community or leave a comment on this thread. Take care and have a good one.

Thank you for the help. I'm frustrated and was about to suggest reinstalling. Right now, I'm at the attached page which demands a business email or license number.

I wish somebody could talk me through this. Is there a private way to give out my phone number?

Lenny

Thank you for the help. I'm frustrated and was about to suggest reinstalling. Right now, I'm at the attached page which demands a business email or license number.

I wish somebody could talk me through this. Is there a private way to give out my phone number?

Lenny

I know it has been really frustrating for you to be held up like this when you just want to get your job done, @feedbaylenny,

To ensure you're able to use the program without any issues, make sure the program is installed properly. Use this article to install the program you want to test: Download a trial of QuickBooks Desktop

Also if you need someone to assist you on the line, I recommend reaching out to our Support Team. They can initiate a viewing session with you and can help further with the installation and guide you with the features in the program.

To get our Support, follow the steps below:

1. Open QuickBooks and click the Help menu.
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. On the pop-up screen select Contact us.
   
4. Click the Search for Something else button then type your concern in the Ask us anything box.
5. Hit Search then scroll down to get your contact options.

Refer to this article to learn more about our contact options and support availability: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support

Let me know how it goes in the comment, I want to make sure this is resolved for you. I'm also here to provide further assistance.

Please bear with me as I take this step-by-step to get to the sample company Larry's Landscaping (the service example). I'm attaching three options of downloads. Which would be the correct one (and I don't have Mac)?

Thanks!

Lenny