Year end copy for Quicken for Mac (64 Legacy Votes + 23 Merged Votes)

Kay Arnold

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Migrating Q for MAC files.


When woking on auto back up create an option to separate the file and Archive/Backup a specific date i.e. (1st date of your current file Transaction profiled) XX/XX/XXXX  last date XX/XX/XXXX  what is left is a couple of years worth of information then every account every transaction within these dates deletes from the current file and saves where you would like a CD, flash drive etc.  That makes the current file smaller reports work better who needs old  stuff anyway but you have it the only other issue is if how would I be able to access the info if needed.  1.  You might want to put a date stop if you had done this in the future your couldn't go back.  The windows version back in 2010 had this process.  not sure how it the program worked but think the Q for M could work same way.

Unknown

I have used Year End Copy for Years from Window and with the older version for MAC.  I have found that 2017 verses is VERY sluggish now that I keep copy of all my receipts in quicken.  as of late it takes Quicken 3 to 5 minutes to safe a backup when it shuts down.  I am assuming because of all of the attachments that I have in quicken over the years.  having the ability to have the year end copy would make the files smaller as now it would only have the attachments for that year.  I see a BIG need for the year end copy to come back to Quicken for MAC. 

Pilotbum

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Separate Idea.


I'd like to see a way to integrate multiple data files into one session of Quicken. For example, I've been a quicken user since 1992. At one point in time to keep my data file at a smaller size (at the recommendation of a quicken help adviser) I would do a year end copy of my quicken and keep each year in a singular file and keep my current file only going back 3-5 years for reporting & budgeting reasons. However, one of the things I like about using quicken is being able to track my progress and successes over a much larger span of time, i.e., back to when I first started using Quicken. 

Why can't quicken automatically break data files up into smaller subsets such as by fiscal year and have the ability for the software to open or use multiple files for reporting purposes the way other database programs do?

Note: This conversation was created from a reply on: List of Requests for Data and File Management Features.

Unknown

At one point in time to keep my data file at a smaller size (at the recommendation of a quicken help adviser)

Unless your Quicken data file is unwieldly large...NO ONE in this forum who is a Quicken "power user" would recommend that you split up your data file.

And the reason is what you have already pointed out...you can't open multiple files to retrieve info, make comparisons etc.

I have been using Quicken since the mid 1980's.  I have one data file.  Never did a Year End Copy, or split the file using Copy and specifying what dates I wanted in that copy.

I don't think this is a feature Quicken needs.

Just don't do a Year End Copy and you'd have been just fine.  

And your Quicken help adviser was just plain wrong to suggest what you wound up doing.  

Concordman

+! @gmailis1..Performed year end copies ad Nauseam as a QW user. Definitely not a needed item in QM

Unknown

I totally agree with having more control over the Archive Files.  In addition, I'd recommend adding a feature on the Reports that allow Users to run Reports off a designated Quicken file.  Specifically, having the ability to run a Comparison Report off the Current File against an Archived File would be so awesome.  I can keep the Working/Current Quicken small and nibble while actually using an Archived file for something really useful. 

I agree.  The archive function suggested by Randal is exactly what I have been looking for.

Unknown

20 year Quicken user. For about 10 different reasons I just don’t want a lot of old data hanging around to complicate things. I just want to keep things simple and delete old, irrelevant data.



Perhaps the real reason the Project Manager is insisting on keeping old data in a file that is never purged is so when it is all in Quickens cloud the data can be “mined” ala Google.



I don’t deal with Google for that reason and that is reason enough to quit Quicken.

smayer97

Actually the Quicken Cloud only syncs the last 2 years of transactions plus new transactions. All is cleared and reduced to last 2 yrs if you reset and resync. So this is not the reason.

Unknown

OK, so I would like to create a fresh set of accounts for 2018.  I am using Quicken for MAC.  I was a windows user for a time and now I am back on Mac.  I have been using quicken since it inception in the 80's.  I usually like a file for each year starting fresh with uncleared transactions for the new year.  I have not done that since I went back to MAC a few years ago and now my file is a little unmanageable. So, I see that windows has a nice feature that makes it very simple to make a year end copy.  Please, Please. put a step by step example up so I can do this on my MAC - I'm getting old and I could use a nice little handy dandy quick reference.  Thank you so much!

Eric

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Quicken 2018 for MAC. END OF YEAR.


I have purchased 2018 Quicken for my MAC. I'm seeing all of 2017 and now 2018 transactions. How do I do END of Year to clear 2017? With windows, old computer, I could just hit End of Year report and it would clear all of the past years and start fresh with the new year.

Tommy DeWeese

If you research the history of this question you will find:


1. Quicken for Mac does not have this feature.


2. Most Quicken for Mac users agree it is not needed.


3. Quicken developers do not see this as a needed update.


4. Like many of us who have migrated from Windows we just feel better when Quicken for Mac acts like Quicken for Windows.



The reality is they are two very different programs that will probably never be just alike. I actually had a lot of problems with the year end copy feature of Quicken for Windows and I have had not had any problems with Quicken for Mac not having it.

Eric

Thats a bummer. Ive never had a problem with the End of Year. I don't like seeing 2017 transactions. When you do a quick search it always puts you at the very top of the previous year. You then have to scroll all the way back down to get to the current day.

jacobs

When you get used to the Quicken Mac interface, you'll find it's pretty easy to filter transaction windows and customize reports to see just transactions from the current year, if that's your desire.

Yes, it may be different than what you're used to, but don't assume it's worse. And for the times where you want to look up an older transaction, compare with prior years, etc., you have all your data in one place rather than across multiple files.

smayer97

I suggest that a more versatile version of this same feature be requested...see Add "Save a Copy" feature (similar to "Year End Copy").

If you agree, First, click on the underlined link to go there, then click VOTE at the top of THAT page, so your will vote count for THIS feature and increase its visibility to the developers by seeking to have the features you need or desire end up in the latest version.

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)
 

smayer97

This IDEA has been added to the List of Requests for Data and File Management Features . You may want to click on the underlined link, then follow the instructions to add your vote to more related ideas. Your VOTES matter!

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)

smayer97

An alternative to this would be to have a feature that allows you to do this manually by being able to select what can be exported from one file, then this could be imported into another. Consider adding your VOTE to Add Ability to Select Content of QXF File for Export.

First, click on the underlined link above to go there, then click VOTE at the top of THAT page, so your will vote count for THIS feature and increase its visibility to the developers by seeking to have the features you need or desire end up in the latest version.

This IDEA is also found on the List of Requests for Data and File Management Features. Click on the underlined link, then follow the instructions to add your vote to more related ideas. Your VOTES matter!

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)

Ellary Kahan

I have issues with the current archive function.
1) I can't find the criteria for archiving transactions in Quicken help. So I have to come to the community for this information. Putting it in the Help would reduce the posts on the subject in the community.

2) Why wouldn't it archive un-reconciled transactions in or linked to closed accounts? If that's a problem then when an account is closed, all the transactions in that account should be marked as reconciled. For example, when I posted my paycheck, my 401K contribution went into my 401K account. That is an investment account so the transactions are never deleted. But when I retired I rolled the 401K money into an IRA and closed the 401K account. I no longer need those transactions or the links to them from my checking account. But they won't archive. For some reason those checking account transactions, going back to 2005, are not reconciled although I am sure I reconciled my checking account every month. Now I'm afraid that if I go back and manually reconcile the checking transactions it may alter my account balance.

3) Another reason for archiving transactions is to reduce the size of the file, not for performance reasons. Just to manage disk space.

4) For the reasons stated above I would not be in favor of a single archive file that keeps growing unless transactions could be deleted from that file without the  rules currently governing linked transactions, etc.

Unknown

My Quicken data file is > 1GB. My use of Quicken goes back to the 80's DOS days. I converted to Mac about 10 years ago. I LOVE the current version of the Mac software, but really miss cutting off the data from 5 years ago every year and keeping it in a separate QDF file for possible future reference. The Windows version allows this, preserving the investment data. I would REALLY like to see this feature included in the Mac software. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Unknown

Granted, Quicken for Mac IS able to handle larger data files than my original DOS versions or even earlier Windows versions, but I really don't want or need all my credit card charges from 25 years ago available now. If this could be programmed into the Windows version I don't understand why the Mac version can't support this feature for those of us who want it. If a user really wants data all the way back he/she can just never archive. I have dozens of bank accounts and 7 investment accounts, not to mention old credit card accounts from over a decade ago.

Unknown

But how many accounts are you tracking? I've got > 15 and the size of the data file is crazy. If they interoduced this feature you just wouldn't have to archive. No change, everybody happy.

smayer97

Yes, there are still use cases where this feature is still valid and useful. Especially with large files. Imagine having to create multiple backup files using Automated Backup... much slower and takes up lots of extra unnecessary space. 

Unknown

The purpose behind my desire to have an end of year is two fold.  I have had my file for over 20 years as a windows user and now a mac user.  I need to down size my file and doing it every 5 years you still have a sizable data package with historical and current data for budgeting.  As a home user there is no need to have more than 5 years and maybe even 3 years of historical data to research.  Quicken is a home user product and not every average person cares pass 2 years of where i spent my money.  

Infact, you really don't need a data file larger than 7-10 years for any IRS purposes.  Anything prior would be saved to Data directory for prior years and can be open if needed.  

So Quicken really needs to step up and add this feature to the next update.  Lets quit this you have to keep your data and be forced to do so.  We are grown adults and can be responsible for our own financial storage needs.  We just need your software to help with planning and reconciliations. 

jacobs

Thomas, one of the fascinating things about Quicken is all the different ways we users use it. You want it should to have recent history to be used for reconciliations and future planning.

I personally love having decades of historical data. I don't reach back far all the time, but I like having my history at my fingertips. For example, I just had a problem with my hot water heater. The first question I had was, how old is it? I could have found it in a paper file I keep, but I was able to answer the question in 10 seconds on Quicken. Sometimes my wife and I wonder something like when was the first/last time we visited a restaurant or hotel; I sometimes want to know how long I've been subscribing to a magazine, and how much I've pad for previous renewals; and so on. Having all that information readily available in my Quicken data file is useful to me.

That said, I understand why my usage isn't what others may want or need, so I'm not arguing against your wish for this functionality.

From some comments from the product manager over time, I think the Mac developers originally felt that such a feature wasn't needed because the modern SQL database that powers Quicken can grow pretty much unlimited without the instability that characterized older Mac and Windows databases, and without much of a performance hit. By making it easy to filter both registers and reports for whatever date range a user wants, I think they felt they had made it easy to use for only recent information, while having older information readily available on demand. And they felt that most users who were looking for such a feature were doing so mainly because they were in the habit of trimming their files because it had been a real necessary on older versions of Quicken. But those who feel there's a legitimate need to pare their data should click on the blue Vote button at the top left of this page to help the developers as they prioritize what features to add in the future.

Unknown

Quit trying to talk us out of a feature that we want. Archiving a past year should be available for all users, even if it isn't standard practice for some. If that's what we want, put the archive feature in. Easy!

smayer97

I may not be interested in this feature but I do know there are several valid use cases for this feature. And clearly, there is a fair bit of interest in this feature.

jacobs

Quit trying to talk us out of a feature that we want. Archiving a past year should be available for all users, even if it isn't standard practice for some. If that's what we want, put the archive feature in. Easy!

Diane, I explained why I didn't find it necessary, and also why I believed the developers hadn't built this functionality in originally. I'm sorry if you took any offense at that, because I also wrote, unequivocally: "I understand why my usage isn't what others may want or need, so I'm not arguing against your wish for this functionality."

Stephanie Gelfeld

Yes, Quicken for Mac developers, please give us the Year-End copy functionality just like the PC version of Quicken has.  I used this feature every couple of years when I had the PC version of Quicken to speed up file backups and reduce the number of transactions that would show up in searches, for examples.  I seriously don't understand why we have to beg for this. Sometimes I regret my switch to the Mac world... - Quicken User for 23 years.

Robert Hansen

I totally agree with having more control over the Archive Files.  In addition, I'd recommend adding a feature on the Reports that allow Users to run Reports off a designated Quicken file.  Specifically, having the ability to run a Comparison Report off the Current File against an Archived File would be so awesome.  I can keep the Working/Current Quicken small and nibble while actually using an Archived file for something really useful. 

I also agree with a bit of modification:
  My file contains my data records back to when I bought Quicken in the year 2000.

  I want to be able to keep 7 years of active data, archiving a file when it becomes 8 years old year, whether an account is reconciled or not.  I do NOT reconcile all accounts - I create some accounts for my own use which do not involve any outside entity for which there is neither need nor desire to reconcile.  

  I used Kiplinger's program followed by Managing Your Money until BofA  gave it up and with both I could choose my archive dates and what I wanted archived.  I wish Quicken would do the same.

jacobs

I totally agree with having more control over the Archive Files.  In addition, I'd recommend adding a feature on the Reports that allow Users to run Reports off a designated Quicken file.  Specifically, having the ability to run a Comparison Report off the Current File against an Archived File would be so awesome.  I can keep the Working/Current Quicken small and nibble while actually using an Archived file for something really useful. 

Robert, I don't know if you're using the Mac or Windows program, as they're quite a bit different. On Quicken Mac, there is not yet any archive function however, there is also less need for it than the legacy Mac and Windows programs have had. The modern Mac program is built on a modern database that can handle a huge number of transactions without getting too slow or becoming unstable, and filters in registers and reports make it pretty easy to limit what you're seeing to just the date range you want. 

(Editing to add that I'm not lobbying against Quicken building archive functionality to Quicken Mac for those who want it; I'm just noting that having many years of data is more feasible than it used to be.)

Unknown

I want a year end copy function. I use different categories from one year to a next depending on what is practical based on the accounts I use.