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Apex_Accounts
September 30, 2017
Solved

QB Desktop - Saving Company File to OneDrive

  • September 30, 2017
  • 7 replies
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We have experienced difficulty with trying to share QB Desktop client company files utilizing OneDrive.  It seems as though the company file does not refresh with proper updates and/or the refresh takes added time so that the file, as saved on OneDrive, may very well not reflect the most recent updates.  It seems as though this is a known issue when I google this issue as relating to the nature of the QB file.  Has anyone else experienced this or is anyone else managing the sharing of QB Desktop company files by utilizing OneDrive without any issues?  We are otherwise considering a cloud-hosted or remote in solution, but would like to be able to save money by utilizing OneDrive to manage the sharing needs of this file.  Thanks for any insight/advice!

    Best answer by qbteachmt

    QB uses a Relational Database for the data file, and it is not Stand-alone; you overlooked that there are associated Utility files that get Live Updated while you work. That is why Multi-User (concurrent) has to be Managed = Database Manager Hosting app. Even if you are scrupulous about having only one computer at a time using that file stored in a Static (fixed) storage location, you still see those Utility files being updated, to keep track. That includes .tlg, .adr, .nd, .dsn, etc.

     

    Unlike Word and Excel, nothing about the datafile is loaded into Local Memory and then put away when you are done. You know this, because in Word and Excel, you need to have Saved, or Saved at the end, before the file is Closed. But, as you work in QB, every single transaction and entry requires you to Save and Close or Save and New.

     

    You cannot use DropBox, One drive, Google Drive, etc.

     

    You can research QBox; this seems to be the only Managed Shared Storage for using QB data, as a managed relational database, that avoids creating conflicting data files.

    7 replies

    Raywhite28
    Raywhite28
    September 30, 2017

    You can't put your QuickBooks file on One Drive or any other cloud based storage. It doesn't work.

      B
      Bmurph
      February 20, 2022

      My file was backed up to OneDrive and I am not able to restore it. Any suggestions?

      MJoy_D
      MJoy_D
      February 20, 2022

      I can help you with restoring your company file, @Bmurph.

       

      When restoring a company file, it must be a backup company file (.qbb) to create a new company file (.qbw). Also, the option to restore a backup file directly from OneDrive is currently unavailable. You can save it on your desktop first before restoring it to QuickBooks instead.

       

      Refer to this article on how to move company file to local hard drive: Move your company files to another computer.

       

      After moving the backup company file to your desktop, you can follow the steps below on how to restore it.

       

      Here's how:

       

      1. Go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
      2. Click on Restore a backup copy and then Next.
      3. Choose Local Backup and then Next.
      4. Browse your computer for your backup company file.
      5. Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file. Then select Open.
      6. When you're finished, click Save. If you receive any warnings about potentially overwriting your data, choose the one that best suits your needs. Don't overwrite anything until you're very sure you want to.

       

      Check this article for more information about restoring a backup company file.

       

      In case you've encountered errors when restoring a backup company file, see this article on how to resolve it: Fix backup company file issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

       

      I'm always here if you need further help restoring your company file. Let me know by leaving a reply below. Keep safe and have a wonderful day!

      qbteachmt
      qbteachmtAnswer
      September 30, 2017

      QB uses a Relational Database for the data file, and it is not Stand-alone; you overlooked that there are associated Utility files that get Live Updated while you work. That is why Multi-User (concurrent) has to be Managed = Database Manager Hosting app. Even if you are scrupulous about having only one computer at a time using that file stored in a Static (fixed) storage location, you still see those Utility files being updated, to keep track. That includes .tlg, .adr, .nd, .dsn, etc.

       

      Unlike Word and Excel, nothing about the datafile is loaded into Local Memory and then put away when you are done. You know this, because in Word and Excel, you need to have Saved, or Saved at the end, before the file is Closed. But, as you work in QB, every single transaction and entry requires you to Save and Close or Save and New.

       

      You cannot use DropBox, One drive, Google Drive, etc.

       

      You can research QBox; this seems to be the only Managed Shared Storage for using QB data, as a managed relational database, that avoids creating conflicting data files.

        Raywhite28
        Raywhite28
        September 30, 2017

        Confirmation!

          john-pero
          john-pero
          October 1, 2017

          With a small ($300-$500) investment in an always on server of your own, and an IT pro to hep you set up your remote connections, you can self-host.

           

          Intuit/QuickBooks offers a hosting service - no clue what it costs.

          From the litte I  have read aboout Qbox it still is not true simutaneous multi-user

            C
            Cherilyn
            March 3, 2018

            It has been my experience that QB Desktop does not always like to be 'e mailed'. Other ways do transfer well. 

             

            You may consider QBO so more people can access your data.

             

            Cherilyn Collins

            J
            JanoskiJ-PSI
            February 12, 2020

            This seems to be working for us:

            We have Quickbooks (2018 multi-user) hosted on a PC.  The QB file(s) is local (within a documents folder on C) We OneDrive set to backup/sync the entire Documents folder.  I turned OFF the option to have "Files On-Demand" so that the files stay local and also backup to Onedrive.

             

            As a secondary, we perform a daily QB Backup to Google Drive (MyDrive) folder.

             

             

             

             

            T
            TonyTiger1
            April 7, 2022

            I know this is marked as 'solved' but not sure it really is. I have used OneDrive to sync my QuickBooks Desktop between multiple computers for 3 years. I sync the entire folder that has the company file and all associated files and it works great...until yesterday. For some reason is stopped sync'ing. OneDrive support was no help. This thread was of very little help. 

             

            I solved the issue by opening my OneDrive online account in a web browser. Then I dragged and dropped the latest QB files that were not sync'ing from my PC into the appropriate folder on the web browser.  Fixed the issue. Now QB is sync'ing as it always did. 

            G
            GilbertFox33
            December 17, 2024

            Hello,

             

            Alternatively, you can try cloud-based third-party tools for your task. As far as I know, Skyvia has a freemium version and can easily synchronize data between QuickBooks and DropBox. You can read more about this integration here.

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