Can QB for Mac open a qbw file?

No, the company file is not interchangeable between different platforms like Windows and Mac. The QBW file is for Windows only. QuickBooks does offer a file conversion utility if you are switching from Windows to Mac or vise versa, but you can't use the same company file on both platforms without converting it, and thats not a good solution in your situation.

How bout some windows virtualization or Boot Camp on your Mac to solve this issue...now were talking :)

Actually, the conversion utility isn't necessary anymore. Depending on which version of QBWin you have, you should go to File>Utilities>Create a copy for Mac. This will give you a company file with the extension .mac.qbb which converts to QBMac (again dependent upon which version you have - generally you must have QBWin 2007 ----> QBMac 2007)

If you are doing a one-time, permanent conversion to Mac you are fine. If you anticipate going back and forth on a regular basis, read the Help docs on the Mac version to see which transactions/services do NOT convert.

Come back if you need guidance.

Dear JFisher,

The future of my business hinges on converting a windows qbw file to use on a mac. I used quickbooks 2002 and have not yet purchased the mac version. What should I do? If I am allowed to ask only one question forget about saving my business and tell me how I can get a picture of you.

Thank you,

Bill

Dear JFisher,

The future of my business hinges on converting a windows qbw file to use on a mac. I used quickbooks 2002 and have not yet purchased the mac version. What should I do? If I am allowed to ask only one question forget about saving my business and tell me how I can get a picture of you.

Thank you,

Bill

billzee, are you trying to pick up on jfisher? ;-)

Seriously, because your Windows file isn't 2009, you'll need to update it to 2009 and then create the "conversion" file for QuickBooks 2009 for Mac (File > Utilities > Copy Company File for QuickBooks Mac). You'll also need to make sure both sides are fully updated (Mac is R5 right now) beforehand. You should be able to use a trial version of QuickBooks Premier 2009 for Windows. The trials are available here:

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/p...

See Sara "woozleworks'" excellent steps for prepping the Windows file (12/31/08 2:02 PM entry). They worked for her and might for you as well:

http://community.intuit.com/po...

In the Help section "Converting a QuickBooks file from Windows to Mac," read the subsection "Data that ISN'T converted from QuickBooks for Windows to QuickBooks for Mac." Some things listed in there (such as passwords, which it's probably best to delete on the Windows side) can creat problems.

It's usually a good idea to rebuild the original file first before converting.

(For future reference, it might be good to start a brand-new thread when you're talking about a newer QB version than the one the original thread discussed.)

By the way, Bill, just Control-click on jfisher's profile pic and choose "Download linked file." Then you'll have a nice, tiny picture of her!

;-)