How to back up from Quicken windows to Quicken Mac

johnodrake

I am in the process of converting my mobile machine from a Windows laptop to a Mac Book Pro.  I use a Windows desktop for my primary machine and when I travel I use (will use) the Mac.  The question is how do I backup the windows machine to a format readable by the Mac?

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @johnodrake,

Thank you for contacting the Quicken Community with this question, I would be happy to help you out. 

Here is a link to a support article that discusses converting from Quicken Windows to Quicken Mac. 

Here is a link to a support article that discusses converting to Quicken Mac in more detail. 

I hope you find these to be of use. 
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions or concerns.

Greg_the_Geek

The Quicken data files are not really compatible between Windows and Mac. You can convert from Windows to Mac fairly well but Mac to Windows doesn't support investment accounts. You would be better off creating a Windows Virtual Machine on the Mac or using Crossover.

johnodrake

Thanks to RickO.  That is disappointing.  I guess I will have to figure out how to run a win virtual machine on the Mac or keep on using the Windows Laptop.

Greg_the_Geek

Oracle VM VirtualBox

Run Microsoft Windows software on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS | CodeWeavers

jacobs

@johnodrake The other alternative is to use the Quicken web interface on the Mac. It's not the full-fledged Quicken, but if you want to see and enter transactions when you're away from home, it may be all you need. Your Quicken Windows desktop file syncs to Quicken Cloud, and you log into Quicken Cloud to access your data. Transactions you enter or edit on Quicken Cloud will sync back to your Windows desktop data file next time you use it.

This advice comes with a caveat: while the Quicken Cloud syncing works, it seems to be the source of more user problems with Quicken than any other feature. I'm a Mac user, so I read there Mac sections on this forum and don't know if the problems are as prevalent with Quicken Windows, but I know many of the longtime users here avoid Quicken Cloud to avoid problems.

This feature is designed for users who want to use Quicken just as you do, so I'm not saying you shouldn't use it; I'm only saying to be aware some users have problems with syncing back and forth. If you do use it, make sure you have robust backups (frequent and going back in time for weeks or months) in case you run into any problems.