Opening a .QBM file on Mac Desktop

Let's perform some troubleshooting steps to open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, atpnode. 

When you e-mail or move a company file, QuickBooks creates a compressed version of your company file with a .qbm extension. When you can't open the company file, it's possible it is damaged, stored over the network, or on a removable device. You'll want to update your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac to the latest release. Then, let's rename the file or move it to a new location to fix this issue.

Before we start, it's recommended to always create a backup copy of your company file before doing any changes to ensure you have an original copy and restore it anytime. Here's how to rename it:

1. Open the New Finder window and locate your company file.
2. Go to the File menu, and then select Rename.
3. Create a new name, and then click OK.

Once done, open the company file again. If the same thing happens, proceed in moving it to a new location.

1. Go to the New Finder window and locate your file.
2. From the Edit, choose Copy and paste the file to another folder. Hover to Edit again, and then choose Paste.
3. Open your QuickBooks, and then pick Browse.
4. Look for the new location of the file, and then tap Open.

Once done, try opening the .QBM file on QuickBooks for Mac again. If the same thing happens, try to verify and rebuild your QuickBooks data. This will helps us identify company file data issues as well as resolves those issues found. Follow along below to get this done right away.

1. Go to File, then select Utilities.
2. Click Verify Data, then OK to close all windows. If you see “Your data has failed the integrity check” you need to rebuild your file. If there are no problems with your data, you’re done.
3. Once your data is verified, you can now rebuild your company files, refer to the next steps.
4. Navigate to File menu, then choose Utilities.
5. Pick Rebuild Data, then select OK to close all windows.
6. QuickBooks will ask to make a backup before rebuilding your company file, tap OK.
7. Once finished, hit OK.

You might also want to visit our QuickBooks for Mac user's guide to browse topics that can help you with your QuickBooks tasks. 

Feel free to update us on the result after performing the steps in the comment below. I'd like to ensure this is resolved for you. Take care always. 

@atpnode 

Is the file sender using QB Desktop Windows?

I'm in the same situation. This suggestion doesn't make sense. If the file is greyed out and can't be opened, then there is no file open, so the Utilities menu options are going to be greyed out too. You can't "Rebuild Data" of a file that is not open. 

Does anyone have another answer please? By the way, responding to the followup question from @atpnode , in my case at least I believe the file is coming from a Windows user. 

Thanks for joining this thread, kgardner. 

We can create a portable file again and make sure your QuickBooks software is updated. Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks and log in as an admin.
2. Go to the File menu and select Create Copy.
3. Select Portable company file and then Next.
4. Give your portable company file a unique name. This makes it easy to tell apart from your regular company file.
5. Select a location to save your portable company file. Pick somewhere that's easy to find, like your Windows desktop.
6. When you're ready, select Save and then OK.

Then, you'll have a portable company file where you can send online or put on a USB. The file will look like this: [Unique company file name].qbm. To learn more about this one, see the Create and open portable company files in QuickBooks Desktop article. Just in case you can't create or open a portable company file, check out the Fix portable company file issues in QuickBooks Desktop article to troubleshoot the issue.

If the same thing happens, it's possible there's a damaged data on your company file. Just refer to the Learn how to fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file article to fix this issue. If the problem persists, please contact our Technical Support Team. They can further check on your company file and they can also stay with you on the process to make that everything is successful. Here's how: 

1. Open QuickBooks, then go to Help.
2. Select QuickBooks Desktop Help, then click Contact Us.
3. Enter a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

Please let us know the result after performing the steps or after contacting our support as I'd like to ensure this is resolved for you. Take care always. 

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@kgardner wrote:

I believe the file is coming from a Windows user. 

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@kgardner 

Ask the sender to send the backup file for QBD Mac

Navigate to the File menu > Utilities > Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac.

Bear in mind, you have to use the same year version to restore the file. Otherwise, you may need to install the trial license of QBD Mac to restore it.