Open Back up file

I'll help you convert your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) for Windows file to QBDT for Mac, @PetraFischer.

It could be that the file extension is incorrect. This is the reason why you're getting the error when converting your file. No worries, I can provide the steps on how you can properly move company files. Here's how:

Step 1: On your Windows computer

1. Update QBDT for Windows to the latest release.
2. Open the file as the administrator.
3. Go to the File menu, then select Utilities. Click Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac, then follow the onscreen instructions. QuickBooks will create a MAC.qbb (backup) file.
4. You’ll see a message that says "It looks like ‘QuickBooks for Windows’ might be a better fit for your company," Make sure to check what data isn’t converted from Windows. If you want to continue, click Yes.
5. Go to the folder you want to save the file in. Name the file, and select Save. Make sure to not use special characters in the file name.
6. Move the file to your Mac by using any storage device such as USB flash drive, etc.

Step 2: Restore the MAC.qbb backup on your Mac. This file is a copy of a QBDT company file that you can restore in QuickBooks for Mac. Here’s how:

1. Update QBDT for Mac to the latest release.
2. Close QuickBooks.
3. Copy the backup to the Documents folder on your Mac.
4. Reopen QBDT for Mac, then select File, then select Open Company.
5. Click the MAC.qbb file, then select Open.
6. Click OK when asked if you want to restore a QuickBooks for Windows file.
7. Enter a name for the restored file, and then select Save.

Also, here are the list of data that can and can't be converted from Windows to QBDT for Mac.

Don't hesitate to tag my name in the comment section below if you have other concerns or questions. I'm always ready to help.

Thank you for your answer. Both of my computers are MacBooks.

Any other ideas?

Thank you

Petra

Hello there, @PetraFischer!

Let''s open the backup copy of your company file directly from the QuickBooks app so you access it without any errors.

1. Go to File.
2. Select Open or Restore Company.
3. Click Restore a Backup File.
4. Select Local backup.
5. Find and open the backup copy of your company file.
6. Select the location where you’d like to save the restored file.
7. Click Save.

In addition, I've got you this helpful article you can read to learn more: Company file is missing or cannot be found.

Lastly, here's a few articles you can read for ideas about managing your account and related transactions: Help Articles for QuickBooks Desktop for MAC.

If there's anything else that I can help you with, please let me know in the c=comment section down below I'll be always around ready to help.

Thank you so much for your reply.

However I do not have the option  "recover from back up"

Please see attached seen shot.

Thank you so much

Petra

(For some reason I can not attache a screenshot)

Screen shot

Thanks for getting back to us, @PetraFischer.

Let's run Verify and Rebuild on your data to fix this. This is to ensure there are no errors in your company file that caused this behavior. I've provided the steps below on how to do this process with ease:

Verify the Data:

1. Go to Window in the top menu, then Close All.
2. Click on File in the top menu, then Utilities.
3. 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 the Data:

1. Go to File in the top menu, then Utilities and then select Rebuild Data.
2. Create a backup of your Company File, then press OK.
3. Once the backup is finished, then the Rebuild Data utility will start.
4. Click OK when you get the message Rebuild has completed.

Also, you can refer to this article to find and recover your backup file in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac: Restore data in QuickBooks for Mac.

In addition, browse our Help articles for other QuickBooks Desktop for Mac concerns.

Let me know how this goes for you! I'll be here to help.

Thanks a lot!!!