How do I copy a Quicken data file?

You can copy a file to create a new file with a different name. The original file remains unchanged. The copy includes all the accounts from the original file. You might copy part of a file to create a new file for a new fiscal year or to transfer reminders, memorized payees, transaction groups, and categories to a new file without copying transactions. To copy a part of the file, select transactions within a specific date range.

Open the file you want to copy.

What if I don't see the file I want to copy?

When you start Quicken, it opens the last file you used (located in the Quicken folder by default). To work with a different file in the same folder, choose File menu > Open Quicken File. Quicken can also help you find a file in another folder.
Choose File menu → Copy or Backup File.
Select Create a copy or template.
Select Next. The Copy or Template screen will appear.
To copy specific transactions in Quicken, you need to set the dates in the Include Transactions From and To fields. Quicken uses the earliest and latest dates recorded in the file by default. However, you can change these dates if you only want to copy some transactions.
Depending on your version of Quicken, you may have several options to choose from under Include in this copy:
Uncleared Transactions: If you use Quicken Business & Personal you may have unpaid invoices. Selecting this option will include them.
Investment Transactions: You can include or exclude investment transactions in your copy if you are tracking investment transactions. (Not available for Quicken Starter)
Attachments: Include files (such as receipt images) you have attached to transactions in Quicken.
In the Copy the current Quicken file field, accept or change the location and name for the file copy.

What are the rules for naming files?

When naming the Quicken file, don't use any of these characters: * ? < > | " : \ / (asterisk, question mark, left and right angle bracket, pipe, straight quotation marks, colon, BACKSLASH, FORWARD SLASH). Also, don't add the .qdf extension; Quicken does that for you.
Select Save Copy.

Should you copy or backup?

A file copy is not the same as file backup. The biggest difference is that, in a copy, your accounts are disconnected. You will have to reconnect to your financial institutions to use the copy. If you restore from backup, those connections are maintained.

There are many backup options, but to create a backup manually, select File menu → Copy or Backup File → Create a complete backup.

You might also want to read Backup Preferences.