QBW document downloads as PDF

Try restoring the QBW file on your QB Desktop.

Hi Rea_M

This worked! You've rescued me.

Thanks for joining us on this thread, Bfree3225. I'm here to ensure you're able to download your file.

Before proceeding, may I know how you open or download the QBW file? Any details will help us provide the accurate steps to resolve this. Adding a screenshot would be a great help too.

You can also check out this article to learn more about different types of files in the QuickBooks Desktop. This helps you know which is the correct format to use: File Extensions and File Types.

I hope you can respond to me on this thread so we can work on your concern together. Please know I'm ready to assist further.

I am having this same issue.  In moving from Online to Enterprise Desktop I am on Step 4 to click the Download QBXML file but when I click the button it exports it as a pdf and then I'm unable to use the migration tool to upload it.  I can't figure out how to change it from downloading as a pdf.

Thank you for posting here in the Community, @bradycolt. 

I appreciate the step you have performed to convert your QuickBooks Online (QBO) data to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). I'd be happy to provide additional info about the .qbxml download to the desktop version. 

As my colleague Rea_M mentioned, ensure you select the appropriate file type when downloading your company file to your computer where QuickBooks Desktop is installed. This way, your program can find and open the *.qbw file. 

You can restore the file instead if you have a backup copy. When doing the task, ensure to run the software with administrative privileges. To do so, right-click the QuickBooks icon and choose Run as administrator. Then, proceed as follows:

Here are some QuickBooks-related resources about this topic:

• Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop
• Import or export MS Excel files
• Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop

Feel free to get back to us here if you have additional assistance with migrating your files, don't hesitate to add them below. I'll be right here to keep helping.

I have the same problem: when I do a manual or scheduled backup Quickbooks backs up a .pdf  not as .qbb. What is wrong here? I need help otherwise I can't successfully backup my work.

Thank you.

Mike

Thank you for joining this thread, FloridaMike.

First, let's ensure you select the correct file type when downloading your company file to your computer where QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) is installed.

If the issue persists, you can do the Verify and Rebuild Data to determine if there are issues with your company data.

Here's how to verify your company date:

1. Go to Window, then select Close All.
2. Select File, then click Utilities.
3. Click Verify Data. If you see:

• QuickBooks detected no problems with your data—your data is clean, and you don’t need to do anything.
• An error message—search for it on our QuickBooks Desktop support site for the steps to fix it.
• Your data has lost integrity—Data damage was found in the file. Rebuild your data to fix it.

Then, let's rebuild your company data.

1. Go to File and select Utilities.
2. Click Rebuild Data.
3. QuickBooks will prompt you to create a backup before it rebuilds your company file. Select OK.
4. Select where you want to save your backup and click OK. Don’t replace another backup file. Enter a new name in the File name field and select Save.
5. When the message Rebuild has completed shows, please click OK.
6. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to check for additional damage.

• If the verification finds more damage, you’ll have to fix it manually. Please search for the error(s) in the qbwin.log on the QBDT support site for the fix.
• If your error can't be found, you can restore a recent backup. Go to File then select Open or Restore Company.

Should you have additional concerns about backing up a company file in QBDT, feel free to post them here in the Community space.

Thank you for your quick response. It does NOT solve my problem.

As you can see from attached picture, all those Automatic and Manual backup files are .pdf instead of .qbb. Of course when I try to restore from one  of those files, they are not recognized and rejected. Therefore I currently have not backup anymore.

I hesitate to reinstall QB again, because I'm afraid that I loose my working files .qbw of my companies. And because I cannot create backups I'm stuck.

Any idea how to fix that, please?

Thank you.

FloridaMike

Thanks for following up with the Community, FloridaMike.

You can manually back up company files as .QBB files from your Back up Company screen.

Here's how:
 

1. In the top menu bar, go to File, then Switch to Single-user Mode.
2. Return to your File drop-down list again and move the cursor over Back up Company, then choose Create Local Backup.
3. Click Local Backup.
4. Press Next.
5. From your Local Backup Only section, hit Browse and pick where you want to save the file.
6. Set a number of backups you want to keep. This is optional.
7. A test will be ran in QuickBooks to confirm your backup file is in good shape before saving it.
8. When you're ready, click OK.
9. Select Save it now, then Next.

The backup file will have a .QBB extension at the end of its file name. After creating your backup, you'll be able to restore it any time.

I've also included a detailed resource about backing up company files as .QBB files which may come in handy moving forward: Back up company files

Please don't hesitate to send a reply if there's any additional questions. Have an awesome Friday!

Hello Zack,

thanks for helping me. I did what you told me including the verification of the file integrity, but the backup still ended as .pdf and not as .qbb.

I'm running Windows 10 and checked "choose default apps by file type" and it shows that .qbb files are associated to Adobe Acrobat while .qbw files are associated with Quickbooks Library.  I have no idea how to change the association for .qbb files from Acrobat to Quickbooks as Windows only let me look for an App in the Microsoft store and there is no QB app.

I'm desperate!

Thank you.

FloridaMike

I appreciate you for performing the steps above, FloridaMike. Let me provide additional information about saving your backup company file, and allow me to route you to appropriate support.

To begin with, when saving the backup company file, let's ensure that you select QBW Back up (.QBB) in the Save as type dropdown menu.

If the issue persists, I recommend consulting an IT professional. The problem you're experiencing with backup company files saving as .pdf instead of .qbb may be related to Windows settings or driver issues, which require specialized technical knowledge to address.

If the problem continues after IT consultation, I suggest contacting our customer care team. They are experts in handling these situations and have the necessary tools to investigate and conduct screen sharing to determine the issue.

Here's how:

1. Go to Help, and select QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us.
2. Select Contact Us.
3. Provide a brief description of your issue, then click on Continue.
4. Sign in to your Intuit account, select Continue, and then Continue with my account.
5. We'll email you a single-use code. Enter your code and select Continue.
6. Choose to chat with us or Have us call you.

Additionally, you can refer to the following articles on how to import and export data in QBDT

• Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop
• Import or export MS Excel files

Feel free to ask if you have any other questions or concerns about saving your backup company file. I'm here to provide you with the assistance you need.