Quicken Mac FAQ: Default location of Data File created/stored for Quicken 2015/2016+ for Mac

smayer97

Where does Quicken 2015/2016+ for Mac create its Data File(s)? Where is my data stored?

smayer97

Location of Data File(s):



The default location depends on which version of Quicken 2015+ for Mac you purchased. They are stored in the user version of the Library folder, one of the Mac OS X "System folders", which is typically NOT directly accessed by users, and as of Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) is hidden by default. 

NOTE: If you do not have QM2015, replace any reference to 2015 with whatever version you are using, e.g. 2016, etc.


1/ MAS Version: If you purchased Quicken from the Mac Apple Store (MAS), the default location is: 

~/Library/Containers/com.intuit.Quicken.2015/Data/Library/Application Support/Quicken 2015/Documents

2/ Retail version: Otherwise, you have the retail version. Its default location is: 

~/Library/Application Support/Quicken 2015/Documents     

(where "~" is /Users/[name of the user account])


Quick Ways to find the Data File(s):

1/ If you already have a data file open by Quicken, Command-Clicking the "Q" icon in the titlebar of the Quicken window will show the pathname of the current file.

2/ If you already have a data file open by Quicken, right-click on the filename at the top of the main window for the file path. If you scroll down to the folder name just before the data file name, it should open the folder where the file is stored.

3/ You can reveal and open the Library folder by holding the Option key when you open the Go menu in the Finder, and Library will appear as an option. Once open, you can navigate the Library folder to the location(s) noted above.

If you want to be able to permanently reveal the Library folder, in the Finder select "View > Show View Options" (or command J), then check the box that says "Show Library Folder". The Library will show in the Finder just like other folders.


Other Ways of Searching for Data File(s):

1/ In the Finder: you can search for them by doing the following:

In the Finder, open a new Search window by selecting File > Find (or pressing Command-F). 

1. Click on Search This Mac
2. Select search by "Kind is Other", then type "Quicken Data File". 
3. Add the another criterion: Click the (+) sign (on the right-hand side of the search window) then select "Other...". Scroll or type to find "System Files", then click the In Menu box on the right. Click OK.
4. Now change the "System Files" setting to say "Are Included". 

This will find Quicken data files anywhere on your Mac, including in your system folders.

NOTE: once the search is created, you can save it for future use by clicking on the Save button in the Finder Search window.

Once you found the file, double-click it to open it or use the File >Open File menu within Quicken. 

2/ Using Terminal: For the more tech savvy, perform the following search in Terminal:


sudo find / -name "qdata*" -ls. 


Can the Default Location be changed? 

Not as of Quicken 2015 for Mac v2.8.5 or 2016 v3.2.1 but you can move the file(s) (see below).


Can the Data File(s) be moved?

Yes. There is no problem relocating data files. You either move them in the Finder (make sure you quit Quicken first) OR using the File>Move To command to move from wherever it currently is to an easier-to-find user-specific location (such as ~/Documents).

If you need to work with more than one data file, you can either move them or create an alias to each file wherever you need it.


Backup Files:

Though Quicken may store any backup file in the same default location, you can specify where to store it when you select File > Save as Backup.

NOTE: Quicken remembers the file you last opened, so clicking on Quicken to launch it will open the last data file. To open a different data file, double-click the desired data file OR use the File > Open  or File> Open Recent menu in Quicken.


WARNING: Though some users store AND use (some even share) a data file on a network or in cloud storage (such as DropBox), this is not supported by Quicken for Mac. Though it may appear to work for a while, this often ends in the data file getting corrupted (for example, due to network interruption) or file permissions getting altered (losing Read and/or Write privileges) and the user getting locked out of their data file.

Though storing a data file in the cloud as is (not on a network) seems to be ok, the best practice is to compress the data file (into a .zip file) before storing it in either of these locations, as this will avoid permissions being affected.

What do to if your file gets LOCKED:

In the off chance that you find your original file OR a backup file OR a restored file from a backup such as Time Machine says it is LOCKED or you cannot write to your file, the following MAY fix your problem. It is a little technical.

1. find your data file
2. open Terminal and type chmod -R 777 
   
3. drag the data file name to right after this text. This will insert full path and file name
4. Press Enter. Then quit Terminal and try opening that data file again

• If you want to see the steps, go to the 3:09 mins mark (to 5:18) in this Troubleshooting video created by a user (was for Quicken Essentials, but the details apply to the current Quicken also): http://loopvideos.com/MIbFRcfdQt0?from=188&to=319
  

NOTE: ALWAYS make sure you have a duplicate backup of a file before performing ANY troubleshooting.

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