Restore

Hello there, mmdus.

Don't use the same name for your portable company file and regular company file. If you save them in the same folder, the portable file will overwrite the regular one. Either can either rename the portable company file, or save it to a different folder.

Here's how to ensure you correctly create a portable company file:

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.

You now have a portable company file you can send online or put on a USB. The file will look like this: [Unique company file name].qbm. Then, you can use these steps on how to open a portable version of your company file:

1. Open QuickBooks and log in as an admin.
2. Go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
3. Select Restore a portable file, then select Next.
4. Select your portable company file. It should look like this: [Unique company file name].qbm. Then select Open.
5. Read the notes on the Where do you want to restore the file page, then select Next.
6. When you're ready to open your file, select Save.

You can also check out this article for more details on the steps I shared above: Create or restore a QuickBooks portable company file.

Reach out to me if you have any other concerns or questions. Please know I’ll be right here to answer them for you. Have a good one.

appreciate your help

however i am stuck at 5 and 6. can't find where to restore

1. Read the notes on the Where do you want to restore the file page, then select Next.
2. When you're ready to open your file, select Save.

Hi there, @mmdus. Let me share additional info about steps 5 and 6.

Step 5 says that in the next window (Step 6), you'll have to choose a location where you want to save the file. As you restore the portable file (.qbm), it's converted into a working file (.qbw). You can also rename it if you don't want to overwrite your existing company file. 

We also have an awesome guide if you can't create or open a portable file: Fix portable company file issues.

Please come back if you have any follow-up questions about restoring a file.