I have talked to Intuit 4 times and Apple 2 times trying to resolve an issue with making a qbb backup file for my accountant. The qbb file will not open in my accountants QB software. We both have the latest versions of QB I am runni
I can see how you want QuickBooks Desktop for Mac backup to work in Windows, Mac720. I'm here to help and guide you through the process on how you can sort this out.
Opening a backup file from QuickBooks Desktop for Mac on a Windows platform can sometimes be challenging due to differences in the file formats and structures between the two operating systems.
You'll have to convert your QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks for Windows so you can open the file. But don't worry, you can still switch the file back to its original state QuickBooks Mac, just ensure that after the conversion the QuickBooks Accountant software won't do the following :
Once done, you can start moving the file. After you've updated QuickBooks for Mac, make sure to get your QuickBooks for Mac company file ready. To do so, search for memos with special characters. Follow the steps below on how you can do this:
Next, move your company file to QuickBooks for Windows. Here's how:
For more details on the process, refer to this article: Move QuickBooks for Mac File to QuickBooks Windows.
After you move your company file to the QuickBooks Desktop Windows version, you might want to create new company files. You can learn how you can copy and use accounts, lists, templates, and preferences from an existing company file. I've got this handy article for your guide: Create New Company Files From Existing Ones in QuickBooks Desktop.
If you have any other questions or concerns when opening your company file, you can always let us know so we can get back to you. We'll always be right here to help you. Have a great day ahead!
Open the sample file and create the backup file for your accountant. Did they encounter the same problem?
Thank you for your reply however you did not address my problem. I know how to make an accountant file backup. I don't need to restore from that file. My accountant can NOT open the qbb file that I send him. He continues to get error message C=44. Thank you but you did not provide a solution.
I don't have a sample file. Can you download a sample file? Thank you for responding.
Run your QB on Mac as usual and you'll see the option to open (you will download it first time) the sample file.
When you created the backup to Windows copy, it makes you run a verify on the file. Did that verify come back clean, or did it mention any problems? You can also run a Verify on the file, just go to File > Utilities > Verify data. If that comes back without any errors, you might want to check the QuickBooks.log file to see if anything is reported in there for problems (a C=44 is usually a problem with a transaction or multiple transactions). Depending on if it finds any problems in the log file, those problems will need to be addressed first before you can create the backup to Windows copy. The log file is located at the following location:
Macintosh HD\Users\(user name)\Library\Logs\QuickBooks\QuickBooks.log
If you do not see the Library folder (it may be hidden by the system), you can access it by going to the Finder and then select the Go menu and choose Go to Folder... In there, type /Users/(your user name)/Library and it will take you to the folder, then you can navigate to the Log file and open it.
Thank you I found the library/logs/QuickBooks there are 4 logs. I have no idea what they mean or how to detect an error. Way over my head.
After you run the verify, you can double click the one called QuickBooks.log, when that's open you can scroll down to the bottom of the log (the latest verification will be at the bottom). Does it say anything like 'Error Verify Link Error', or anything similar to that? If it does have any errors listed in there, I'd recommend making a backup of your data, then run a Rebuild on the file (it may fix the issues if there are any), after doing the Rebuild I'd run another Verify to make sure that the file is clean.
If the second Verify still comes back with with problems, then you can check the QuickBooks.log file again and scroll to the bottom to see what the error is in there. Usually it contains some sort of detail referencing an amount, transaction type, or name that can then be searched for to find the transaction within QuickBooks.
There is no log in the Library log. Only a diagnostic log. Is this what you are referring to? Thank you.
Unfortunately no, once you run the Verify it should auto create the file QuickBooks.log That particular file contains any/all problems it finds or does not find within the company file.
Thank you for the suggestion to send the Sample file saved as a qbb to my accountant. They couldn't open the file and received the error message:
Restart QB and try again. If you continue to experience this error, please not the C= value and contact technical support.
C = 116
There's something wrong with QB on your accountant's PC. Ask them to open the sample file and send you a backup file. Are you experiencing the same problem?
The accountant can't open the Sample backup file. It stops restoring data at 46% and then gives the error message I posted. Thanks for the reply.
Ask them to open their own sample file (not the one you sent them) and send the backup file to be open on your Mac. Did you encounter the same problem?
I will ask them. Thank you.
Thank for all the suggestions. QB finally determined that the new memorized transactions and the old one I changed the dates for 2025 were the problem. I deleted all the memorized transactions QB identified and the qbb file worked for the accountant. I then reentered one of the memorized 2025 date transactions, sent new qbb file and accountant could not open it. Not sure what has happened to entering recurring memorized transactions.
My accountant has the same problem - cannot open my qbb file.
This is crazy - we both have the latest QB - me, the Mac for Desktop 2024 version and he the Windows. This is clearly an Intuit software issue. My verify is completely clean. I am stuck like dead in the water.
Hello there, yair. I'm here to provide further troubleshooting to help make your file accessible.
One possible reason your company file isn't opening in your accountant's QBDT for Windows is due to memos containing more than 50 characters or special characters like !@#$%^&*.
We can run a report to check this:
Please refer to this article for more details: Move QuickBooks for Mac file to QuickBooks for Windows.
If the issue persists, I recommend contacting our support team for further details. They have the tools and expertise to access your account in a safe environment, identify the problem, and provide a solution.
Additionally, you can refer to this article about adding another user to your company file: Invite Intuit Account users to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
Please reply to this thread if you have other concerns about your company file in QBDT for Mac, yair. We're here to help you in any way we can.
My accountant sent my qbb file to QB and they identified the memorized transactions causing the problem they did not have any special characters. I can not create any memorized transactions now, after deleting the problem ones. I sent my QB files to QB yesterday. I suggest you call QB.
This is misinformation. This will not help. Thank you of responding.
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