CheckBook
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About CheckBook

Can I try CheckBook before purchasing a license?

How is CheckBook different from CheckBook Pro?

Can CheckBook track stocks and investments?

Can CheckBook print checks?

Can CheckBook play MP3 or music files?

How do I request a new feature I would like to see in CheckBook?

CheckBook and the Mac App Store

I want to purchase CheckBook from the Mac App Store but I installed the CheckBook trial from your site and the Mac App Store says CheckBook is already installed.

I purchased CheckBook from the Mac App Store but when I try to launch it I see an error that CheckBook is "damaged".

Can I use the Mac App Store to update my copy of CheckBook?

I purchased CheckBook from your online store. Can I move my license to the Mac App Store?

Maintaining CheckBook

How do I install CheckBook?

What's a Disk Image file?

How do I update to the latest version of CheckBook?

Do I need to enter my serial number every time I update CheckBook?

How do I move CheckBook to a new Mac?

How do I backup my CheckBook Accounts?

Does CheckBook make its own backups?

System Compatibility

Does CheckBook work on non-English systems?

What are CheckBook's system requirements?

Does CheckBook work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Does CheckBook work on PowerPC Macs?

Does CheckBook work on Windows?

Data Compatibility

Will CheckBook work with my Quicken data?

Will CheckBook work with my online bank statements?

Can CheckBook export my Account data?

Can CheckBook sync with mobile devices?

General Use

Can I customize the Types in CheckBook?

Can I customize the Categories in CheckBook?

Each time I go to the Help Menu and select CheckBook Help, I get a blank Help window.

Can I use CheckBook on more than one Mac?

How do I share my Accounts with users on other Macs?

Upgrading To CheckBook Pro

Do I have to enter all my Accounts and Entries again when I migrate from CheckBook to CheckBook Pro?

About CheckBook

Can I try CheckBook before purchasing a license?

Yes. That's what we'd like you to do! Before you purchase a license you can create an unlimited number of Accounts with up to 100 Entries apiece, which you can use until you're sure you'd like to purchase a license. After you purchase a license all the data you entered before will still be there, and you can create as many Entries as you like.

How is CheckBook different from CheckBook Pro?

The two are similar - and even share the same document format and many preferences - but CheckBook Pro comes with the following major features you won't find in CheckBook:
  • Smart Folders - search your data using any combination of criteria
  • Folders - group or archive your Entries any way you want
  • Global Account Summaries - reports for all your Accounts
  • Global Scheduled Entries Reminder - manage all your pending Scheduled Entries at once
  • Multiple Entry Change - quickly change the details for the current selection
  • Check Printing - let CheckBook Pro print your checks for you (pre-printed check paper only)
CheckBook Pro is also "where the action's at" when it comes to major new features, while we plan to keep CheckBook mean and lean. Learn more about the features in CheckBook and CheckBook Pro.

Can CheckBook track stocks and investments?

No. CheckBook isn't designed to track stocks and investments, but you can track gains and losses if you enter the data manually.

Can CheckBook print checks?

No, but CheckBook's big brother, CheckBook Pro, can. Check it out!

Can CheckBook play MP3 or music files?

No.

How do I request a new feature I'd like to see in CheckBook?

Send the details of your feature request and any specific examples of how you'd use the feature so we can think on how to turn your request into reality. Thanks!

CheckBook and the Mac App Store

I want to purchase CheckBook from the Mac App Store but I installed the CheckBook trial from your site and the Mac App Store says CheckBook is already installed.

Move your copy of CheckBook to the Trash, relaunch the Mac App Store app and you should be able to purchase. Your data is safe. After you purchase CheckBook from the Mac App Store launch it and your data will automatically appear.

I purchased CheckBook from the Mac App Store but when I try to launch it I see an error that CheckBook is "damaged".

Move your copy of CheckBook to the Trash, relaunch the Mac App Store app and click on the Purchased button at the top of the window. Look for CheckBook in the list of purchases and click the Install button next to it. Your data is safe. After you reinstall CheckBook from the Mac App Store launch it and your data will automatically appear.

Can I use the Mac App Store to update my copy of CheckBook?

If you purchased directly from us, your copy of CheckBook can tell you when updates are ready. Go to the CheckBook menu at the top left of your screen and click the "Check For Updates..." menu item.

If you purchased from the Mac App Store, the Mac App Store will tell you when an update is ready. When you see a red badge on the Mac App Store icon in the Dock, or a number badge on the Purchases button at the top of the Mac App Store window, click the Purchases button to see if a CheckBook update is ready to install.

I purchased CheckBook from your online store. Can I move my license to the Mac App Store?

No. There isn't a way to move a license from our online store to the Mac App Store. If you'd like to receive CheckBook updates from the Mac App Store you'll need to move your copy of CheckBook to the Trash and purchase a new license from the Mac App Store.

Purchasing from our online store instead of the Mac App Store has its benefits:
  • Purchases from our online store can tell you as soon as a new version of CheckBook is available. The Mac App Store can take weeks to approve and let you download updates.
  • Purchases from our online store are eligible for special discounts on the next major version of CheckBook. The Mac App Store doesn't support discounts or coupons.
  • The Mac App Store charges us quite a bit more per order - over 3 times as much as our online store. Purchase directly from our online store to give us more resources to make CheckBook even better. Thanks!

Maintaining CheckBook

How do I install CheckBook?

If you purchased directly from us, download CheckBook in Disk Image format at https://www.splasm.com/downloads/checkbook/CheckBook.dmg. Double-click the file to reveal a window named CheckBook X, where X is the version you've downloaded. The window will have three icons inside: ReadMe, CheckBook and Applications. Drag the CheckBook icon to the Applications icon, then select the Eject option from the File menu. You'll find CheckBook in your Applications folder.

If you purchased from the Mac App Store, go to the Mac App Store, click the Purchased button at the top of the window, and click the Install button next to CheckBook.

What's a Disk Image file?

Disk Image files are special files that allow us to deliver CheckBook in a single package that acts very much like a CD or USB drive. When you double-click a Disk Image, your Mac reads the file and places a new icon on your Desktop that looks just like a hard drive icon. This is known as a Disk Image. If you open this new icon you'll see the actual files we want you to have - the ReadMe and the CheckBook application. While you can use these files directly from the Disk Image, it's best to copy the CheckBook application to your Applications folder on your hard drive and use it from there. Once you've copied CheckBook to your Applications folder, eject the Disk Image by dragging its icon to the Trash. You can save the Disk Image file in case you need to reinstall CheckBook later.

How do I update to the latest version of CheckBook?

If you purchased CheckBook directly from us, open CheckBook, go to the CheckBook menu at the top left of your screen and click the "Check For Updates..." menu item. If an update is available, click the Learn More button for a download link and update instructions. Your license for CheckBook 2.x gets you all updates before CheckBook 3.0, so feel free to download and install the latest version.

If you purchased CheckBook from the Mac App Store, go to the Mac App Store, and click the Updates button at the top of the window. Look for CheckBook in the list of available updates. Click the Update button next to CheckBook and the Mac App Store will update your copy of CheckBook to the latest version.

Do I need to enter my serial number every time I update CheckBook?

Not for updates with the same major version number. These are meant to replace your previous copy of CheckBook, and they'll update your Accounts and preferences (where your serial number is stored) automatically. You won't be asked to enter your serial number again.

If you purchased a previous major version of CheckBook, your older serial number won't work. If you haven't received upgrade instructions via email, contact us at customerservice@splasm.com for details on how to get a new serial number.

How do I move CheckBook to a new Mac?

If you purchased directly from us, download a fresh copy of CheckBook on your new Mac. If you purchased from the Mac App Store, go to the Mac App Store on your new Mac, click the Purchased button at the top of the window, and click the Install button next to CheckBook. Once the application is installed, copy your Accounts document to your Documents folder on your new Mac and double-click the document to begin using it.

If you're not sure where your Accounts document is, and CheckBook automatically opens your document for you, open CheckBook on your old Mac, go to the File menu and click the Backup... menu item to make a copy.

How do I backup my CheckBook Accounts?

Go to the File menu at the top left corner of your screen and click the Backup... menu item.

Store a backup periodically on another disk, like a CD-R or thumb drive, so your data will be safe in the event you need to reinstall Mac OS X or your internal hard drive crashes.

Does CheckBook make its own backups?

Yes, CheckBook automatically backs up about once a week. These backups are named after the original Accounts document, plus the current date and version of CheckBook, and they're compressed so they take up very little hard drive space.

To see your automatic backups, open CheckBook, hold the Option key on your keyboard while you go to the Help menu at the top of your screen, click the Go to CheckBook 2 Folder menu item, release the Option key, then open the Backups folder.

System Compatibility

Does CheckBook work on non-English Macs?

Yes. Even if the text in the user interface doesn't appear correctly, the general functionality should remain intact. CheckBook uses the date format you've selected in the Language & Text preference pane in System Preferences, so Entry dates will appear correctly. You can also create your own base Currency so amounts are displayed with the local currency symbol and formatting.

What are CheckBook's system requirements?

CheckBook requires OS X 10.11 or later and is ready for macOS 13 Ventura.

We recommend macOS 11 Big Sur or later or later and a display with a resolution of at least 1024x768 pixels.

CheckBook isn't available for Microsoft Windows or Linux.

Does CheckBook work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. CheckBook 2.6.17 and later are built for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Does CheckBook work on PowerPC Macs?

No. CheckBook 2.5.8 and later are built for Intel Macs. CheckBook 2.6.17 and later are built for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Does CheckBook work on Windows or Linux?

No. CheckBook is only for the Mac.

Data Compatibility

Will CheckBook work with my Quicken data?

Yes. CheckBook can import QIF and QMTF files, to which most versions of Quicken can export through their File menu, and can also import Quicken for Mac 2015 and later as well as Quicken Essentials data files.

Will CheckBook work with my online bank statements?

Probably. CheckBook can import statements in the OFX/QFX, QIF, and CSV/TSV file formats. Your online bank probably supports at least one of these.

Can CheckBook export my Account data?

Yes. CheckBook can export to QIF, so you can import into other personal finance applications, and to CSV or tab-delimited text, so you can play with the numbers in a spreadsheet.

Can CheckBook sync with mobile devices?

Kinda. CheckBook can export and import QIF and text files, which may work in your particular mobile app.

General Use

Can I customize the Types in CheckBook?

Yes. Types are set up per Account. Go to the Account menu at the top of your screen, click the Edit Account... menu item, then click the Types button at the top of the sheet.

Can I customize the Categories in CheckBook?

Yes. Go to the CheckBook menu at the top left of your screen, click the Preferences... menu item, then click the Categories button at the top of the sheet.

Each time I go to the Help Menu and select CheckBook Help, I get a blank Help window.

Sometimes the Mac's Help Viewer has trouble loading. You'll need to remove a few files to "reset" the Help Viewer's memory and get it back on track. This won't harm the Help Viewer in any way, but it could temporarily forget any third-party apps until you select the Help option from inside each of those apps.

To reset the Help Viewer
  • Quit CheckBook and close the Help Viewer.
  • Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
  • Go to the Go menu at the top of your screen and click the Go to Folder... menu item.
  • Paste the following path in the Go to the Folder field, including the tilde (~) at the very beginning:

    ~/Library/Caches

  • Click the Go button.
  • Move any file or folder whose name begins with "com.apple.help" to the Trash.
  • Go to the Go menu at the top of your screen and click the Go to Folder... menu item.
  • Paste the following path in the Go to the Folder field, including the tilde (~) at the very beginning:

    ~/Library/Preferences

  • Click the Go button.
  • Move any file or folder whose name begins with "com.apple.help" to the Trash.
  • Restart your Mac.

Can I use CheckBook on more than one Mac?

You're allowed to use CheckBook on another Mac as long as you respect your license agreement. The single-user license says you're licensed to use CheckBook on only one Mac at a time. Make sure each copy of CheckBook using the same serial number isn't running on more than one Mac at any given time and you're welcome to copy it to as many Macs as necessary. The family pack license expands the number of Macs on which you may use CheckBook simultaneously to five (5).

How do I share my Accounts with users on other Macs?

You can copy a CheckBook Accounts document to a thumb drive, AirDrop it, put it in a cloud storage folder (like DropBox or Google Drive - just don't use the document on more than one Mac at the same time), sync with iCloud, and even synchronize with CheckBook (or CheckBook Pro) running on another Mac on the same network (go to the File menu and click the Sync... menu item on both Macs). Open CheckBook, go to the Help menu and click the CheckBook Help menu item for instructions.

Upgrading To CheckBook Pro

Do I have to enter all my Accounts and Entries again when I migrate from CheckBook to CheckBook Pro?

No, your Accounts and Entries are in a document on your Mac that you can open from CheckBook Pro. First, find your document by opening CheckBook, going to the File menu, and clicking the Show in Finder menu item. Then, quit CheckBook, open CheckBook Pro, and drag the highlighted document icon from the Finder to the CheckBook Pro icon on your Dock.

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Resources

Get CheckBook. Read up. Get help.

CheckBook

CheckBook 2.7.17
4/21/2023
Ready for macOS 13 Ventura. Works on OS X 10.11 El Capitan and later.

DOWNLOAD
Help

CheckBook Help 2.7.11
10/6/2022

DOWNLOAD

For older Macs

CheckBook

CheckBook 2.6.22
10/1/2021
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard to OS X 10.10 Yosemite

DOWNLOAD

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