Managing Quicken files

Your Quicken data file holds all your account information, just as a file folder holds your paper banking or brokerage statements. In most cases, you'll only need one data file. When you enter information for all your accounts in this one file, the accounts can share the same categories, tags, and memorized payees. When you create a report, you can choose to show data from a single account or from all accounts in the file. You can also transfer amounts between accounts in the same file.

What can I do?

• Rename a data file
• How do I create a new Quicken data file?
• How do I open an existing Quicken data file?
• What if I can't find my Quicken data file?
• How do I back up my Quicken data file?
• Creating a partial/template file or year end backup
• How do I copy a Quicken data file?
• How do I restore a Quicken data file from a backup file?
• Troubleshoot a damaged Quicken data file
• How do I move Quicken data files between computers?
• Export data from Quicken
• How do I convert data from an earlier version of Quicken?
• How do I add, change, or remove a Quicken data file password?
• How do I archive Quicken information at year's end?
• About backing up and restoring Quicken data files with a floppy disk
• About backing up and restoring Quicken data files with a CD
• About backing up and restoring Quicken data files with a removable (USB) drive
• About the Quicken folder
• Can't open file" or "File not restored" when restoring my Quicken data file from external media
• Caution! You cannot undo this operation!
• Current file too large for a single backup disk
• How do I copy my Quicken data file in Windows Explorer?
• How do I diagnose a damaged data file?
• How do I export data to a QXF file?
• How do I figure out where my Quicken data file is on my computer?
• Working with QXF files
• How do I sanitize my Quicken data file?
• What if all my accounts aren't listed in the QIF Import dialog?
• What if I can't run Quicken from two separate user accounts on Windows?
• What if I can't uninstall Quicken?
• What if I don't know whether to create a new Quicken file?
• What if I don't know whether to use Year-End Copy or Copy File?
• What if I don't know which backup file to restore?
• What if I don't see the Quicken data file I just restored?
• What if I need a workaround to back up my Quicken data file to a CD?
• What if I need to restore an automatic backup of my Quicken data file?
• What if information is missing from my imported QIF file?
• What if my Quicken data file isn't on my removable (USB) drive after Quicken tells me it was successfully backed up?
• What if my removable (USB) drive isn't an available backup location?
• What if Quicken asks to overwrite the current file when I back up or restore my Quicken data file?
• What if Quicken backs up the wrong data file?
• What if Quicken can't open my data file when converting my data from a previous version?
• What if Quicken converts the wrong data file?
• What if Quicken doesn't accept my password, asks for a password I didn't add, or gives me an invalid password message?
• What if there is a CD or other external media problem when backing up or restoring my Quicken data file?
• What if there is a CD problem when I back up or restore my Quicken data file?
• What if there is a removable (USB) drive problem when backing up or restoring my Quicken data file?
• Why can't I import data from a QIF file into a banking or investment account?
• Why do I get "Can't open file" when backing up my Quicken data file to a CD?
• Why do I get "File Conflict – File is already open" when backing up my Quicken data file?
• Why do I get "File not backed up" or "Unable to open source file" when backing up my Quicken data file to floppy disk?

Frequently asked questions

• What's the best way to separate my accounts?

  There are two ways to separate your accounts: You can create several accounts in a single data file and customize Quicken to show you just the accounts you want to see at any one time, or you can create separate data files. Unless you have a good reason to create separate data files, creating separate accounts in a single data file is usually the best option.

  With a single data file, you can see the relationships between accounts, such as transfers and deposits, and you can see an overview of your finances in one place. If there is any chance that you will ever want to track accounts together, you should create them in a single data file because it isn't possible to merge data files at a later date.

  With a single data file, it is also possible to create reports or view net worth measures that exclude certain accounts, like those of a spouse or other family member. To exclude accounts and their transactions from the Account Bar, reports, and the Property & Debt tab, simply customize Quicken to hide the accounts you don't want included at any one time. The accounts will stay hidden until you unhide them.

• When should I create more than one Quicken data file?

  Create additional data files only when the data needs to be separated. For example, if you keep your home finances separate from your business finances for tax reasons, or if you maintain the books for a volunteer organization or for a friend or relative.