Tips for getting off to a smooth start with QuickBooks

Start out simple

While QuickBooks can handle all the complexity your business can throw at it, for now create only the accounts and items you need to get going. Then add more as necessary.

Back up! Back up! Back up!

There is no such thing as too many backups. You should back up your company file at the end of each session or each day. You can back up to a network drive, external drive, CD, or iCloud. It’s a good idea, before you do anything in QuickBooks that you’re unfamiliar with, to make a backup first.

Try it in the sample file first

QuickBooks has sample data files that you can use as examples for setting up your own QuickBooks company file. The sample files contain items and services typically performed by particular business types. You can use these files to try out new features you may not be familiar with. It’s good to experiment with data that’s not critical to you business.

Streamline your lists

You can hide items you no longer use. This makes managing your lists easier and enables you to easily find what you really care about. Remember that once you’ve created and used an item in a transaction, you can’t delete it, even if you no longer use or sell that item.

Save time by memorizing

Whenever you change the settings for a report, you can record those changes by saving the report in the Memorized Report list. Then when you want to create a similar report, you can just go to the Memorized Report list to reuse those settings.

Ask for help

If you don’t know something, don’t hesitate to ask someone who does — it can save you a lot of time.

• In QuickBooks, check Help. (Choose Help > QuickBooks Help)
• Ask other users and QuickBooks experts on the QuickBooks for Mac Community.
• Look on our support site for helpful information like multiuser troubleshooting.
• Or if you want one-on-one assistance, consider finding a ProAdvisor to help guide you.