How to Open and Use a Secondary Company File in QuickBooks Desktop?

Wish to open two company files at the same time? Well, with QuickBooks accountant or QuickBooks desktop enterprise, the user can get access to 2 company files open in 2 different versions of QuickBooks desktop. When the user works with 2 company files, the first opened file is labelled primary and the second file is said to be secondary. In case you close the primary company file, then other one become the primary file. In today’s post, we will be talking about the process to open and use a secondary company file in QuickBooks.

Thus, if you are interested in knowing the process, then make sure to read this segment carefully till the end. Or you can also speak to our team professionals , for immediate technical assistance or any further support services.

Read Also: Steps to add, edit, or delete accounts in QuickBooks Desktop

Steps to open and use a secondary company file

There are three ways to open a secondar./y file in QuickBooks desktop. The user can perform the steps below when the first company file is open, and try opening a secondary company file.

• The user is suggested to double click the second company file’s name.
• And then, double click the QuickBooks icon.
• The next step is to move to the file menu and then choose open second company.

It should be noted that the user is suggested to avoid using the file menu, and then open or restore company to open a second company file.

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Restrictions

Following are the restrictions that can be seen when opening a secondary company file. It should be noted that the user permissions cannot override them.

Following are the restrictions on both primary and secondary files.

The user can’t perform the operations listed in the table in either file when 2 company files are open.

Area	Restriction
Accountant Menu	Managing Fixed Assets QuickBooks Statement Writer Export Balances to Lacerte Tax Export Balances to ProSeries tax
QuickBooks Services	Adding any QuickBooks Add-ons
App Center	Installing Intuit Partner Platform (IPP) applications
Intuit Data Sync (IDS)	Setting up, reset, or sync data
Internet Connection Setup	Setting up an internet connection from the Windows Control Panel
Registration and Licensing	Registering QuickBooks, sync license, change license, unlock to Premier, and add seats
SDK Applications	Any application that uses the QuickBooks Software Development Kit (SDK) to connect to QuickBooks
Tax Product Integration	Integrate with TurboTax, Lacerte, or ProSeries
Update QuickBooks Desktop	Download an update to QuickBooks. If Automatic Download is on, the updates will be downloaded but not installed until you exit from both files.

Following are the restrictions on the secondary file:

Along with the operations listed in the preceding table, the user cannot perform the below operations on the secondary file if the 2 company files are open.

Area	Restriction
Banking	Create Online Banking message Loan Manager Order checks and envelopes Set up account for Online Services Import Web Connect file Learn about online bill payments Change Online Banking mode
Company Menu	Alerts Manager Planning and Budgeting Tools Customer Credit Card Protection Manage Currency Prepare Letters with Envelopes
Customer Center	The Collections Center These Credit Card Processing activities Add Billing Solutions Add Mobile Payment Processing Add Credit Card Processing Add Electronic Check Processing Link Payment Service to Company file Merchant Service Center Authorize/Capture Payments Download Fees Process Payments Get Online Payments How to Process Credit Cards Record Merchant Service Deposits Set up Recurring Payments
Complex Passwords	Complex Password Setup for Credit Card Protection
Customize Design and Layout	Sales Order Invoice Sales Receipt Credit Memo Estimate Purchase Order
File Menu	All items on the Import and Export sub-menus of the Utilities menu Convert Send Forms Ship UPS Package Track or Cancel a Shipment Update Web Services Shipping Manager Shipping Settings Ship FedEx Package Synchronize Contacts
New Business Checklist	All items on the checklist
Payroll	My Payroll Service (all items) Create Termination Check Edit Filing Methods Edit Payment Due Dates/Methods Add, Edit, and Delete Payroll Items Get Payroll Updates Entering Time: Use Weekly Timesheets, Time/Enter Single Activity Excel: Client-Ready Payroll Reports Pay Employees Process Payroll Forms, Adjust Payroll Liabilities (Liability Adjustment), Edit/Void Paychecks, Change New Employee Default Settings Payroll Setup Set up Worker’s Comp Start Scheduled Payroll Word: Customize Letter Templates Workers’ Comp: List, New Workers Compensation Code, Create/Edit Experience Modification Factor
Printer Setup	You can only set up a printer in the Primary window.
QuickBooks Messenger	Restricted in the Secondary window.
Template List	New Edit Delete Duplicate Active/Inactive Download
Year-End Guide	Restricted in the secondary window

Restrictions on QuickBooks Help

The user can only open QuickBooks help in either of the primary and secondary file.

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Final Words..!

By the end of this article, it is expected that you might be able to open and use a secondary QuickBooks desktop company file in a proper manner. However, if you are unable to open and use a secondary company file, then in that case, we suggest you to speak to our 24×7 QuickBooks desktop support team professionals at +1-844-539-0188. And our experts will ensure to come up with the best possible assistance.