This article addresses how to create a Portable copy of a QuickBooks company file within the QuickBooks Desktop software. This is not to be confused with creating a QuickBooks Backup copy of a QuickBooks company file, which is a completely separate process and copy-type.

A Portable copy of a QuickBooks Desktop file is convenient to create when you only wish to submit a more bare-bones copy of your company file to another party. For security and file-size reasons, this option may be more of a convenient option for you to create (as opposed to creating either a giant back-up copy or sending the actual master company file to someone).

A portable copy does not include a transaction log file, nor does it include images and templates. You may wish to confer with your CPA if they prefer either a Portable copy or an Accountant’s copy; many CPA’s still wish to receive a backup copy as well.

So, to create a Portable copy of your QuickBooks Desktop company file:

1. Go to the File menu>Create Copy
2. Choose Portable Company File and click Next
3. Choose a location where you want to save your Portable Copy
4. Click Save then click Ok for the close and reopen warning (be sure you are not in the middle of any bookkeeping work first).

To submit your Portable copy to another party, I would suggest doing this via an online file-sharing service (where you can track to see when the file is being retrieved later on), or just save to a flash drive and personally deliver this to the other party.

Note: AccuraBooks is a bookkeeping firm only, so please consult with your C.P.A. for verification and clarification about the contents of this article.