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Can Quicken Mac 2105 (qmac2015?) data files be stored 7 accessed on a cloud server?

PutterFluttersPutterFlutters Member ✭✭
edited December 2018 in

Can I set things up so I can access a single data file with either my desktop or laptop? Google Drive or OneDrive for instance.

I have been using qwin2012 running in Windows using Parallels on OSX with pretty good results. Data files stored on Google Drive. A little clumsy but getting the job done. I would like to be able to run a native MAC app instead to avoid having launch Parallels/Windows each time I want to access my Quicken info.

P.S. I have tried to copy over what I thought was the data file (file extension .quicken2015) to Google Drive but didn't go well. (Watching that file load to Google drive was interesting ... lots of png's, js, html, mom files but nothing I might have recognized as financial data)

Comments

  • jacobsjacobs SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2018
    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)
    QMac 2007 & QMac Subscription • Quicken user since 1993
  • PutterFluttersPutterFlutters Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    Interesting!  (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)  When I loaded the package on to google drive I saw each of them go by.

    Now the other interesting part is that FOR THE MOMENT I am able to load the "package" on to Google Drive and use it with either machine.  Some how I have the feeling that won't last for long.

    I certainly hope that the Quicken for Mac Team is interested in making this a reliable happening.

    Thanks for you help.
    Norm
  • NotACPANotACPA SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    The issue isn't whether Intuit is interested in this ... it whether your internet connection is absolutely, definitely, 100% certain of never hiccuping.  Because the when it does, your Q data is toast.
    Q user since DOS version 5
    Now running Quicken Windows Subscription,  Home & Business
    Retired "Certified Information Systems Auditor" & Bank Audit VP
  • PutterFluttersPutterFlutters Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    Hmmmm....

    Would it be comparing apple to oranges if I trying to equate the process but using Quicken Windows 2013 instead of Quicken Mac 2014?

    The reason I ask is that I have been successfully running Quicken Windows 2012/ Windows 7&8 on top of Parallels on both an iMac and MacBookPro  with one data file on Google drive for quite a while now.

    ... Just wondering ... and trying to think this one through.
  • NotACPANotACPA SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    a) there's no such thing a Q Mac 2014.
    b) I didn't say "immediate".
    Q user since DOS version 5
    Now running Quicken Windows Subscription,  Home & Business
    Retired "Certified Information Systems Auditor" & Bank Audit VP
  • PutterFluttersPutterFlutters Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    I started thinking (and that usually gets me in trouble) but here goes anyway.

    Several things seem to come to mind considering Google Drive (or OneDrive) & Quicken ( OS's and Quicken version's independent)  I will just use "Google Drive" and "Quicken" to keep things simple.

    ======================
    FACT
    ======================
    1. I have Google Drive software installed on all my machines (not just a browser connection).
    2. All those machines have a local folder called Google Drive.
    3. I keep my Quicken Data folder in the Google Drive folder
    4. I use that local data file with my Quicken software.
    ======================
    Supposition
    ======================
    1. The Google Drive system mirrors local folders and somehow determines when to upload changes to my local file into "THE CLOUD".
    2. Intuitively Google Drive system does something to ensure successful data transfers. If it detects that something has gone amiss or things are out of order or .... "[CONFLICT]" is inserted into the file name.
    3. There has always been (for me) a properly named file without [CONFLICT] in the name.
    =====================
    My Conclusion
    =====================
    IF QUICKEN DOESN'T CARE  where the data file is located as long as it can pull what it needs when it needs it then GOOGLE DRIVE can probably hold up it's end of the bargain.

    So I am going to keep trying and hoping that I have continued success ... and
    a. BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP (restores are pretty easy)
    b. Be careful not test GOOGLE DRIVE by doing things like opening the data file at the same time GOOGLE is uploading or such.

    Just one guys opinion
  • John_in_NCJohn_in_NC SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    It isn't so much Quicken here, but how the Mac handles data file packages. As jacobs pointed out, it often is a matter of time before permissions problems set in. Does it happen all the time? No-some people go years, while other people go days. Compressing as he noted prevents problems. Windows is a different beast, so don't compare your experiences from there.

    Sure, you can make backups, but with all those files in the package, parts might be inheriting the incorrect permissions every time it is moved back and fourth from the cloud drive. In other words, it might be starting to silently fail, and you don't know it. And then if a really serious problem sets in, what do you restore from? Your recent backups might be questionable.
  • jacobsjacobs SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    I was just coming back to say what John just did above: this is not about Intuit "caring", it's a function of the Mac operating system for files of this type.

    Eventually, I suspect Intuit may want to redesign the architecture of the data to be more able to function in a Cloud-based world, but that won't be easy or fast. Quicken 2015's database is Apple's Core Data which is resident on each Mac, and which is not Cloud based. Perhaps Apple will change that at some point, with Apple's increasingly push into everything in the Cloud. But it would take major changes from Apple, and a major re-write from Intuit. And keep in mind that for as many people as would welcome being able to keep their data in the Cloud, there will be many who will scream front he highest mountaintop that they don't want their financial data on the web, in the Cloud, in the hands of Intuit or Apple. But this is all hypothetical imagining about the distant future; they key for everyone to know is that in the current, and the foreseeable future, using Quicken's data file on a cloud repository will most likely result in you getting locked out of your data at some point due to a permissions problem.
    QMac 2007 & QMac Subscription • Quicken user since 1993
  • PutterFluttersPutterFlutters Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    jacobs said:

    In a word, no, you can't do what you want to do. Quicken is designed to have its data file resident on a single computer, and is very specifically not certified for use on cloud-drive services.

    That said, you can do a more crude movement of your data file:
    * Quit Quicken
    * Compress your data file in the Finder
    * Copy the compressed file to a cloud storage service (or another computer).
    * When you want to use it, copy the file to the computer you want to use it on, double-click it to uncompress it, then double-click on the data file to launch Quicken with that file.
    * Repeat to move in the opposite direction.

    I find this works fine for moving a file to my laptop for travel, for instance, but I wouldn't want to do this daily.

    You might get a copy of the data file to work okay without the step of compressing, but eventually, you're likely to run into a file permission problem. The issue is that the Quicken data file is not a single file, but a Mac OS "package" -- a collection of files with a wrapper to make it behave like a single file. (Right/Control-click on your data file to glimpse all the files living inside your data file.)

    I really hate it when I get answers I don't like :-(   You guys have been around this game a lot longer than I and I am going to take your advice.  Thanks....  :-)    Looks like I have some decisions coming up.
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