What should you do to back up your QuickBooks company file?

To back up your QuickBooks company file effectively, utilizing the Backup feature in the File menu is essential. This option is specifically designed to create a complete and secure copy of your company file, ensuring that all data, including transactions, lists, and preferences, is included in the backup. This method also allows you to choose a backup location, whether on an external drive or a specific folder on your computer, providing you with flexibility and security for your data management.

The other methods mentioned may not encompass all the necessary elements required for a thorough backup. Exporting data to a CSV file is more appropriate for sharing or manipulating specific data sets, but it does not create a full backup of your company file. Manually saving a copy of the file to your desktop could miss out on certain important configurations and may not ensure data integrity. Sharing the file via cloud storage does not constitute a backup unless the file has first been properly backed up and stored in the cloud, as it may also lead to issues with data access and security if not managed correctly. Therefore, the Backup feature is the most reliable and recommended process for safeguarding your QuickBooks company file.