QuickBooks Backup File or QuickBooks Portable File, What’s the Difference?
Backup Company File:
You should always make regular backups of your Company File to protect against accidental loss or damage. The backup contains everything you need to re-create your company file and QuickBooks environment, including all of the QuickBooks files (templates, letters, logos, images, and so on) related to your company file.
The creation of a backup file (.qbb file)from within QuickBooks will also reduce the transaction log. (.tlg file) Creating a backup is the only way to incorporate the two files into one. Unlike a portable file, a backup file is typically a large file and is not meant to email. Backup files are best used to safeguard you data or to move all of your QuickBooks data to a new computer.
It is suggested that, if your company file is synced using Intuit Sync Manager, you should use a backup company file rather than a portable.
Portable Company File:
If you want to email or move your data between computers that are not networked together, then a portable file is recommended. A portable company file is a compact version of your company file and usually small enough to be sent by email or saved to portable media.
A portable file only contains a compressed version of the company financial data. Any images you use on templates, custom templates or custom letters that were created are not included in a portable file. (.qbm file)
Regardless of which file you need to create, if another person makes changes in the backup or portable company file, you cannot merge the information into the original file without the use of 3rd party software.
If you have any questions or want more information on the differences between the two file types, contact Dynamic QB Solutions.
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