Hello, Louis54.  I wanted to take a moment to join in on this conversation and share some valuable information regarding the process of condensing your files.

When you condense your past files in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), the process primarily serves to streamline your company data file by removing old, closed transactions and summarizing them into journal entries. This can significantly reduce the file size, which may improve performance and mitigate issues such as slow loading times and crashes associated with large data files.

Here’s what QuickBooks typically does during the process:

• Saves an archive copy of your company files.
• Removes old, closed transactions.
• Summarizes old, closed transactions. Condensing typically creates summary monthly journal entries for the old, closed transactions and places these summary transactions in the current, working version of the QuickBooks data file.
• Clears the audit trail. If you clean up a company file and indicate that the company file should be condensed, QuickBooks clears the audit trail before the “removed closed transactions on or before” date.

The condense file process typically means creating a copy of the QuickBooks data file that you save and put away someplace and then creating a scaled-down version of the working company file. The command that you use to condense the QuickBooks company file, however, also allows you to create almost-empty company files.

Additionally, I recommend backing up your QBDT company file before proceeding with condensation. This way, we can make sure that you can restore your data file in case you run into trouble.

Finally, I've added this article for detailed information about condensing your company file: Use the Condense Data utility.
 

Thank you for reaching out, @Louis54. I hope the information and steps above have clarified your concern regarding condensing your past company files. If you have further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to post a reply. Our team is available to help and looks forward to assisting you further.