Get 50% OFF QuickBooks for 3 months*

Buy now
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Simplify payday and set payroll to run automatically on QuickBooks. Explore QuickBooks Payroll
Brita2
Level 3

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

We are needing to start a new QuickBooks company file with existing company file data due to current file size of 1.63G.  Can I please get a complete how to with step-by-step instructions on how to perform this task.  I will require information on how to also get payroll information into new QuickBooks company file.  Please provide additional links if needed for any other items that are needed when starting a new company file.

10 Comments 10
SIAB
Level 7

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

What QB Desktop edition and year version do you have? QB Desktop 2024 Pro Plus or else?

Brita2
Level 3

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

We are using QuickBooks Enterprise 24.0 Mfg and Wholesale with multi user

MichaelaS
QuickBooks Team

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Good day, Brita2. I can certainly provide you with the complete details you need. Let's begin by creating a new company file from your existing file.

Here's how:
 

  1. Open your existing company file.
  2. Select the File menu and click New Company from Existing Company File.
  3. Or, in the No Company File Open window, click the Create a New Company File box, then click the Other Options box and select New Company from Existing Company File.
  4. Browse your .QBW old file in the Select Company File to Copy From box.
  5. Enter your new company name.
  6. Follow the on-screen steps, and it will automatically create your new company file and transfer data from the old file. Please note that not all data will be transferred. Only the Chart of Accounts list, Vendor list, Employee list, Other Names, Sales Rep, Item list, Price Level, Customer list, and Budget.
     

Once your new company file is created, let's proceed with moving your payroll information. Please note that there’s no option to import payroll-related details, you'll need to enter them manually into your new company.
 

Here are the steps to enter payroll information:
 

         1. From the Help menu, choose About QuickBooks.
         2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Y to open the Setup YTD Amounts window.
         3.  enter the YTD in the Employee Summary Information, click the employees and enter the amount of their salary.
         4. Select Next until you reach the Enter prior payments section.

         5. In the Enter Prior Payments window, click Create Payment to input all prior payroll tax and non-tax payroll liability payments you’ve made during the current or previous years.

         6. Enter the Payment Date and For Period Ending date accordingly (in many cases, these dates will be the same).

         7. In the Taxes and Liabilities field, choose the payroll tax item that you’ve already paid and want to record in QuickBooks Desktop. Enter the amount. You can add a memo to remind you what the payment is for (Payments for prior quarters are entered as lump sums, and current 
          quarter payments are entered per payroll).

          8. Select the Accounts Affected button to choose how you want the payment to impact your Chart of Accounts (COA):

  • Do not affect accounts: Use this option if your QuickBooks accounts have correct balances. Choosing this will cause the prior payment to not appear in the bank register.
  • Affect liability accounts but not the bank account: Use this option if your checking account has the correct balance. This will prevent the prior payment from showing up in the bank register.
  • Affect liability and bank accounts: Use this option if none of the account balances are correct. This will cause the prior payment to appear in the bank register
    9. After completing your first payment, Hit Next Payment. Repeat this process until all payments are entered. Then click Done to save your work.
    10. Select Finish to close the window.

 

However, If you're only concerned about the company file size, you can follow the steps in this article to reduce it: Create new company files from existing ones in QuickBooks Desktop. Please note that this process will not create a new company file from scratch, it will only reduce and create a unique copy of your original file.

If you have specific questions about transferring your payroll subscription to the new company file, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Live Support team. They have the tools and expertise to securely process the transfer in the system and provide you with suitable options.

Please don't hesitate to leave us a response if you have other questions or concerns.

SIAB
Level 7

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Brita2
Level 3

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Yes, our current file is corrupt and cannot be rebuilt due to size of 1.63G.  Therefore, I need step by step instructions as we are starting our NEW Company file as of 01/01/2026 and only entering opening balances from 12/31/2026 from current company file. 

SIAB
Level 7

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

You can purchase a 3rd party service to fix your company file and condense it. Contact @Fiat Lux - ASIA directly via email and they can help you resolve this issue.

Brita2
Level 3

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

We do not want to have the file rebuilt by a 3rd party.  I would like the step by step instructions on how to proceed with new file creation from opening balances, as i stated above.

Brita2
Level 3

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Can I also get instructions on how to handle uncleared checks, deposits, and credit card charges/credits with starting a new company from open balances?

Mirriam_M
QuickBooks Team

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Sure thing, Brita2!

 

I'm happy to help you manage your uncleared transactions when starting a new company file.

 

Since you've already used the Condense Data utility, QuickBooks brings over summarized totals rather than individual transaction details. To ensure your bank reconciliation matches, you’ll need to manually recreate any uncleared items.

 

To recreate uncleared checks, expenses, and credit card charges, you'll have to use the original date and reference/check number. Then, assign the transaction to Opening Balance Equity (not the original expense account). Doing so prevents double-counting the expense, as it was already recorded in your old file.

 

As for deposits that were sitting in the Undeposited Funds or were sent but haven't appeared on your statement, here's what you'll need to do:

 

  1. Go to the Banking menu at the top and select Make Deposits.
  2. Enter the deposit with the original date.
  3. In the From Account column, select Opening Balance Equity.
  4. Enter the amount.

 

Alternatively, if you have a high volume of transactions, you can return to your old company file, reconcile all outstanding items first, and then run the Condense Data utility again. This will result in a cleaner starting balance.

 

To ensure your books remain audit-ready, I recommend consulting your accountant. They can review these entries to confirm your opening balances are perfectly aligned.

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to visit the Community again!

MichaelaS
QuickBooks Team

COMPLETE STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO CREATE A NEW COMPANY WITH OLD FILE DATA INCLUDING PAYROLL

Hi, @Brita2 

Just checking in to see if the solution we shared worked for you.

Please let us know if everything is now working smoothly or if you're still experiencing any challenges.

We'll be glad to assist further if needed.

Need QuickBooks guidance?
Log in to access expert advice and community support instantly.

Need to get in touch?

Contact us