Karin, No, actually, this is particular to GnuCash on the Mac. Most files on a Mac will open in their app when you double click on them in Finder. GnuCash, for very obscure reasons, doesn't. THAT is why it trips Mac users up.
Going forward, try to remember that if you open a different data file up (an older copy, say, to check on an earlier state of your data), you MUST use File->Open to open the first data file again. Glad you got it working! David T. On August 13, 2026 6:22:23 AM GMT+05:30, Karin Simmons <[email protected]> wrote: >So, typical mac newbie. I have got it open by actually following >instructions. > >Thank you for your help. > >Karin > >On Wed, Aug 12, 2026 at 4:01 AM David T. <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Karin, >> >> A couple of points: >> >> 1. I'll assume you've copied your data file (and any other items of >> interest) onto your new Mac. For other items, I refer you to the wiki page >> about backups. >> >> 2. If #1 is true, then you need to realize that double clicking on your >> data file in Finder will NOT open that file. GnuCash will always open the >> last file you accessed in GnuCash. This is just A Mac Thing. In your case, >> there is no last file, so it starts with a new file. >> >> All you need to do is select File - >Open and open your data file. Then, >> you'll be good to go. Next time you open GnuCash, it'll open your file. >> Note that if you have other data files, you still won't be able to double >> click on them in Finder. GnuCash will open your last file. This usually >> trips up every Mac user of GnuCash. >> >> HTH, >> David T. >> >> >> On August 12, 2026 7:20:17 AM GMT+05:30, Karin Simmons < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> In the past, I have always used Gnucash on a Windows computer. I am now >>> trying to use my mac and I am having issues. >>> >>> I am using Apple M4 Pro with macOS Tahoe 26.6.1. >>> I downloaded Gnucash-Arm-5.16-3.dmg. >>> >>> I have installed it and tried to open it. It flashes the start up tips and >>> then opens a blank window that says Unsaved Book. Save is grayed out and >>> Close does nothing when selected. I force closed it. >>> >>> I have done a lot of research online and I have uninstalled and >>> reinstalled. I have checked the privacy and security options. >>> >>> I have always had Windows computers in the past, so working on the mac is >>> still a little foreign. I am not sure where to go next. Help would be >>> appreciated. >>> >>> Karin >>> ------------------------------ >>> gnucash-user mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: >>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user >>> ------------------------------ >>> Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. >>> You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All. >>> >>> _______________________________________________ gnucash-user mailing list [email protected] To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe: https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user ----- Please remember to CC this list on all your replies. You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.
