How do i download the pdf file so i can see my estimates and invoices before i send them to my customers. I used to be able to see them but now it says download the pdf

I can assist you with downloading the PDF file of your estimates and invoices, @Mcnallyaaron2. 

If you're using the old layout, you can use the Print or Preview option. On the other hand, if you have the new layout, you can use the Print and Download option. Let me guide you through the process.

Old Layout

1. Open an Invoice or Estimate.
2. Fill out the necessary details in the form.
3. Once you have completed the form, click on Print or Preview.
4. Hit Download.

New Layout

1. Open an Invoice or Estimate.
2. Fill out the form with the required details.
3. Go to the PDF view tab.
4. Click Print and download.

Once your customer pays the invoice, you can record the payment to connect it to the invoice and balance your accounts. For more guidance, check out this article: Record invoice payments in QuickBooks Online.

You can always hit us up if you have any other concerns besides downloading your invoices and estimates as PDFs. The Community is always here to help you out. Stay safe!

How can you send a PDF from your phone after the estimate is accepted?

Let me share some details on how to send PDFs from your phone after the estimates are accepted in QuickBooks Online (QBO), MikeW5.

After your customer accepts the estimate, the system cannot send a PDF form from the phone. The only way to send a PDF from your phone is by ensuring that you tick the PDF Attached box from your Online delivery settings. Doing this will send the estimate with the PDF attachment, even if it isn't accepted yet.

Before doing so, I suggest accessing your QuickBooks Online (QBO) account through the web using your phone and then enabling this option. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to the Gear icon and choose Accounts and Settings.
2. From the Sales tab, click the Online delivery section to edit.
3. Choose the  Show full details in email radio button.
4. Make sure to check the PDF Attached tick box.
5. Tap the Save button.
6. Press Done.

Also, you'd want to make sure that the specific estimate template you're using is also set to the PDF Attached option. This is how your estimate appears when sending them. Here's how:

1. Go to the Gear icon and select Custom form styles.
2. Edit your estimate template and choose the Emails tab.
3. Make sure to mark the PDF Attached tick box in the How your email appears in the emails section.
4. Press Done. 

Moreover, you can check out this article for more details on how to download and save sales forms and statements as PDFs in QuickBooks Online: Download and save sales forms and statements in QuickBooks Online.

Drop a comment below if you need more help with your estimates or if you need to run your customer financial reports. We're always here to help you in any way we can. Take care always.

Not quite the answer to my question. When using the mobile app you used to be able to “preview” the estimate on your phone and then you could share that preview via text or email to anyone you wanted. All that would come through when you shared it was a pdf of the estimate. Now once you accept an estimate you cannot share it. If the estimate is not accepted you can share it in preview but it sends a link rather than a  pdf.

Appreciate you for going back to this thread, MikeW5.

For me to provide you with the best possible assistance, could you please share a screenshot of the link you are referring to? It would be helpful if you could provide me with additional information or screenshots to help me address your concern more effectively. 

To enable screenshots in your QBO app, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Menu tab.
2. Click the Gear icon.
3. In the Account section, tick Enable Screenshots.

I'll be around to help if you require further assistance with sending PDF files from your phone or other QuickBooks-related concerns. I'm here to lend a hand.

Here is a screenshot of the more actions tab from an accepted estimate. The other option available besides “more actions” is “convert” to invoice.

If the estimate is not accepted but still pending you are able to download a pdf copy of the estimate and send it to whom you please via text or email from the app by hitting “send” then it creates a preview and in the upper right corner there is a “download” icon which allows you to download and then send how you please as a pdf.

Thanks for checking back with us, @MikeW5. 

To clarify, are you unable to open the pdf? Will the link not work upon clicking on it? Or are you having issues with the pdf downloading? Please provide any additional details that you can. This way, I can ensure I provide the best steps possible to get you back to business. 

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for your reply. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. Chat with you soon! 

There is no option to get a pdf at all. It can be sent to the customer, but I can’t get it to send to my employees if I have marked the estimate as accepted. If it’s not accepted, you can by pressing “send” then the “download” button on the top right of the screen. If it’s accepted however, there is no option that I can see that allows me to “download” or “print preview” the estimate.

My process prior to the estimate format change was to give a estimate, mark it accepted after the customer agrees, then on the day of the job send my foreman a pdf of the estimate so he knows what needs to be completed on the job and how much the job is. With the new format the option to get a pdf for myself (at least on the mobile app) doesn’t exist.

Thank you for taking the time to get back to us, Mike. Let me jump into this thread and share some information about downloading the PDF file format of your estimates in the QuickBooks Online (QBO) mobile application.

The option to save the PDF copy of estimates using the mobile application after the transaction is accepted isn't available. As a workaround, we can sign in to your QBO account using a web browser installed on your device, and from there, we can get a copy of our estimates regardless of their status. 

I'll show you how: 

1. Go to the Sales menu and choose Estimates. 
2. Select the dropdown menu on the estimate you want to download. 
3. Choose Print and then click the Save icon. 
   
4. Alternatively, select Edit, and on the lower section, click Print and download. 
   
5. Once done, hit the Save icon. 
   

Here's an article for more info: Create and send estimates in QuickBooks Online. 

I'm still here and ready to assist you further with any questions you may have about downloading a PDF copy of your estimates using the mobile application or QBO, Mike. Don't hesitate to share your concerns. I'll do my best to address them.