Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online (2024)

Learn how to import your QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online.

No need to start over again—just move your desktop file to a QuickBooks Online company. Check out all the benefits you get when you move to QuickBooks Online.

If you're an accountant, learn how to set up your clients for success with their move to QuickBooks Online.

Watch or follow the steps to get it done:

To watch more how-to videos, visit our video section.

Find out how tomove your QuickBooks for Mac file to QuickBooks Online.

Step 1: Get your desktop file ready

Note: You have 60 days from the time you create your QuickBooks Online account to move your data.

Important: Make sure QuickBooks is up-to-date

  1. In QuickBooks, press F2 (or Ctrl+1) to open the Product Information window.
  2. Check your current version and release. You’ll have greater success if you have the following QuickBooks versions and releases or higher: 2019 R17, 2020 R15, 2021 R10, and 2022 R5.
  1. Make sure QuickBooks is up-to-date.
  2. To make sure your Total Targets is less than 750,000,press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard.

Note: If the file exceeds the target limit (750,000) it can't be converted to QuickBooks Online. The only option is, you can only import lists and balances into QuickBooks Online or start fresh.

  1. Print a copy of your Sales Tax Liability report. You'll need it to enter adjustment entries after your move.
    1. Go to the Reports menu, then select Vendors & Payables. Select Sales Tax Liability.
    2. From the Dates▼ dropdown, select All.
    3. At the top, from the Print▼ dropdown, select Save as PDF.
    4. Choose the folder you want to save it in, name the file, and select Save.

Step 2: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online

Note: If you're QuickBooks version is 2018 or older, you can the move your data to QuickBooks Online with an online tool.

QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier

  1. Sign in as an admin to the company file you need to import.
  2. Go to Company, then select Export Company File to QuickBooks Online.
  3. Select Start your export.
  4. Sign in as an admin to your QuickBooks Online company.
  5. Select Choose online company, and choose the QuickBooks Online company you want to replace with your company file.
  6. Select Continue.
  7. If you track inventory in QuickBooks Desktop:
    • Select Yes to bring them over, then enter the as of date.
      Note: Use the first day after your last tax filing period as your inventory start date.
  8. Enter Agree in the text field, then select Replace.
  9. Select Yes, go ahead and replace the data, then select Replace.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

Note: If you use advanced features (such as advanced reporting and advanced inventory), we recommend starting fresh because some of your data won't move to QuickBooks Online. If you want to keep using these features in Enterprise, learn about cloud-enabled QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

  1. Sign in as an admin to the desktop company file you want to move.
  2. On your keyboard, press Ctrl + 1 to open the Product Information window.
  3. Press Ctrl + B + Q, then select OKto display the export window.
  4. On the export window, select Get started.
  5. Sign in as an admin to your QuickBooks Online company.
  6. Select Choose online company, then select the QuickBooks Online company you want to replace with your company file.
  7. Select Continue.
  8. If you track inventory in QuickBooks Desktop:
    • Select Yes to bring them over, then specify the as of date.
      Note: Use the first day after your last tax filing period as your inventory start date.
  9. Enter “Agree” in the text field, then select Replace.
  10. Select Yes, go ahead and replace the data, then select Replace.

Step 3: Get ready to use QuickBooks Online

Check out What to do after converting from QuickBooks Desktop for Windows or Mac to QuickBooks Online.

With your company all set up, let's get you started with QuickBooks Online.

You can also watch this webinar:

To watch more how-to videos, visit our video section.

For more resources, check out our Getting Started guide.

Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online (2024)

FAQs

Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online? ›

In QuickBooks Desktop, log in as an admin to the company file you need to import. Go to the Company menu, then select Export Company File to QuickBooks Online. Select Get started. Click Select destination, then sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.

How do I transfer my QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online? ›

In QuickBooks Desktop, log in as an admin to the company file you need to import. Go to the Company menu, then select Export Company File to QuickBooks Online. Select Get started. Click Select destination, then sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.

What to expect when moving from QuickBooks Desktop to Online? ›

Going forward, you'll input new data in QuickBooks Online. You'll still keep the QuickBooks Desktop company file with your data, but can only access this data with an active QuickBooks Desktop subscription.

What data does not convert from QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online? ›

Terminology
QuickBooks Desktop TermQuickBooks Online Term
Credit Card ChargesExpenses Credit Card Credits
Item ReceiptsExpenses Bills
Sales OrdersNot available in QuickBooks Online
Credit MemosCredit Memos Refund Receipts Delayed Credits
79 more rows

Can QuickBooks desktop sync with QuickBooks Online? ›

Yes, you can switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Your data will be transferred from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online, but not all of the data will copy seamlessly. Visit the QuickBooks guide to switching from Desktop to Online to see precisely which data points do not convert.

Is QuickBooks Desktop being phased out in 2023? ›

The long answer: Intuit are sunsetting some versions of QuickBooks Desktop (QBD), and it might be possible for some users to keep accessing it —though it is not recommended. From May 31st, 2023, Intuit will stop supporting these QuickBooks Desktop 2020 versions: QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2020.

How long does it take to migrate from QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online? ›

How long will the migration take? The migration to QuickBooks Online takes about 30 minutes to complete. Make sure to keep QuickBooks Desktop running until the migration is done.

Is it worth switching to QuickBooks Online? ›

Is QuickBooks Online better than Desktop? QuickBooks Online is better for business owners who want easy-to-use cloud-based accounting that includes anywhere online access, mobile apps, and tons of integrations with other business apps.

What is the advantage of using QuickBooks Online? ›

You can automatically send invoices and statements. You can automatically send reports. Bank and credit card transactions download nightly. Track inventory first-in-first-out (FIFO)

How easy is it to migrate to QuickBooks Online? ›

It's easy. If you've been using Excel templates or Excel invoicing to keep track of your finances, Quickbooks can import the files for you. Our free invoice template means you'll never need to use an Excel invoice again!

What is the limitation in migrating from QuickBooks desktop to online? ›

Note: If the file exceeds the target limit (750,000) it can't be converted to QuickBooks Online. The only option is, you can only import lists and balances into QuickBooks Online or start fresh.

Is QuickBooks Online very different from QuickBooks desktop? ›

QuickBooks Desktop is best for businesses that are comfortable with accounting and don't need real-time collaboration, and QuickBooks Online is best for businesses that need real-time collaboration and access to their QuickBooks file from any device.

What are the 3 primary ways to migrate client data to QuickBooks Online? ›

There are three ways to get client's QuickBooks data into your QBO company:
  • Manually enter the information.
  • Use IIF files.
  • Use service of a conversion expert.

What is the easiest way to migrate her data to QuickBooks Online? ›

Switch to QuickBooks Online in three easy steps.
  1. Choose a plan. Sign up for QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials or Plus.
  2. Upload your data. Import your Bank Data,Customers, Suppliers, Chart of Accounts, Products and Services, Invoices and Bills in CSV format.
  3. Review.

How do I export data from QuickBooks Desktop? ›

From the QuickBooks File menu, select Utilities > Export > Lists to IIF Files. Select the list you want to export and click OK. Browse the location where you want to save your file and click Save.

Why is QuickBooks Online so slow? ›

In conclusion, slow performance in QuickBooks Online can occur due to various reasons, such as outdated plugins, excessive use of system resources, or slow internet speed. By following the quick fixes mentioned above, you can improve the speed of QuickBooks Online and avoid any issues with its performance.

How much will QuickBooks Desktop 2023 cost? ›

The QuickBooks 2023 Desktop prices will be: QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Pro Plus $549. QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Mac Plus $549. QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Premier Plus $799.

Can I stay with QuickBooks desktop? ›

You can still use the older software. But you don't get support or updates and any add-ons like payroll or payment processing stop working. In May 2023 the 2020 version will be sunset. You can learn more about this in the QuickBooks help article: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

Is QuickBooks desktop expiring? ›

Access to add-on services, live technical support, software updates and security patches are all discontinued after May 31, 2023 for QuickBooks Desktop 2020. If you do not use add-on services with QuickBooks Desktop, your software will continue to work.

How much does it cost to convert QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online? ›

One of the benefits you can reap by converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online is that it is free of cost. Intuit doesn't charge anything for importing data to the online version. You can easily compare reports from current year to previous year.

When should I move away from QuickBooks? ›

You're opening your company up to fraud, increased human error, and potential security risks. You are about to reach the maximum number of users. QuickBooks caps users at a 30-person limit. If you foresee future growth in your business, QuickBooks does not scale with your company.

Do classes transfer from QuickBooks desktop to online? ›

All of the classes on your Class List and all transactions that have classes are converted with their class information intact.

Is QuickBooks Online cheaper? ›

QuickBooks Online Pricing FAQs

QuickBooks Online is cheaper than desktop on a month-to-month basis and should definitely be considered if you have a lot of employees that need access to the software.

Why has QuickBooks gotten so expensive? ›

Answer: Intuit has significantly increased the prices for QB Premier 2021. The wholesale pricing has nearly doubled, and we don't expect the prices to go down. The guess is that Intuit would like to make QB Premier a subscription service like they did with QB Enterprise a few years ago.

Does QuickBooks Online use average cost? ›

QuickBooks uses the weighted average cost to determine the value of your inventory and the amount debited to COGS when you sell inventory. The average cost is the sum of the cost of all of the items in inventory divided by the number of items.

What does the bookkeeper do in QuickBooks Online? ›

Quickbooks Bookkeepers compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records.

Is there a free version of QuickBooks Online? ›

QuickBooks Online Free 30-day Trial Offer Terms: First thirty (30) days of subscription to the QuickBooks Products, starting from the date of enrollment is free.

How long does it take to move to QuickBooks Online? ›

Common Deciding Factors to convert quickbooks desktop to online. If you search through QuickBooks forums and online communities, you would find people mentioning that it takes only 15-30 minutes to convert files from qbdt to qbo. Then, there will be users mentioning the time taken to be up to 24 hours.

How long does it take to transfer data to QuickBooks Online? ›

Depending on the amount of data to transfer, the migration process can take up to 72 hours. You can visit our migration wizard to get started. Note that data cannot be migrated into a QuickBooks Online Company file that has existing data contained within it.

Do memorized transactions migrate to QuickBooks Online? ›

Memorized reports/transactions do not migrate from desktop to QBO. If your business is big on either or both of these features, be aware you will have some extra work to recreate them in QBO.

How far back can QuickBooks Online go? ›

Choose the account type that matches your chart of accounts in QuickBooks. 7. Select how far back you want to download transactions. You can download the last 90 days of transactions.

What is the maximum file size to import in QuickBooks Online? ›

Intuit allows Comma-Separated Values (CSV), QuickBooks Online (QBO), and Quicken (QFX) files to be uploaded. The maximum file size is 350 KB. If your file's too big, try shortening its date range and downloading transactions in smaller batches. Once you're ready, you can start the upload.

Where is QuickBooks migration tool? ›

Sign in to QuickBooks Online using a supported web browser. On the Export overview screen, click the Get Started button. Click the Download tool button to download migration tool.

What does not convert from QuickBooks desktop to online? ›

Audit Trail:

The audit trail of previously entered transactions does not convert from Desktop to Online, but QuickBooks Online has its own automatic Audit Log with a detailed audit trail of every transaction that is added or changed, as well as the log in/out of users accessing the file.

Do you have to pay for QuickBooks desktop every year? ›

QuickBooks Desktop products are offered on an annual subscription basis. Unlike QuickBooks Online plans, which each come with a set number of users, QuickBooks Desktop plans come with one user license. Business owners must pay extra for each additional license, regardless of plan.

Can I still use QuickBooks after subscription expires? ›

This means that users will need to renew their account annually, failure to do so will result in the inability to open their files until the license is renewed. However, users will still be able to view the file one year after their subscription expires in QB Desktop 2023, but editing won't be possible.

Which 4 list types can be directly imported into QuickBooks Online? ›

What information can I import to QuickBooks Online?
  • Bank Data.
  • Customers.
  • Vendors.
  • Chart of Accounts.
  • Products and Services.
  • Invoices.

What are the four items to choose from in QuickBooks Online? ›

There are four item types: inventory, non-inventory, services, and bundles. These help you categorize the products and services for better tracking.

How to transfer data from QuickBooks from one computer to another? ›

From QuickBooks, go to the File menu, select Utilities, and then select Move QuickBooks to another computer. Select I'm Ready, then create a one-time password. Follow the instructions to choose the USB flash drive you'll use. Then wait for the files to be copied.

How do I manually import data into QuickBooks Online? ›

Here's how to import your file:
  1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online.
  2. Select Settings ⚙. Then select Import Data.
  3. Select Products and Services.
  4. Select Browse to upload the file from your computer. ...
  5. Or, to upload from Google Sheets, select Connect to sign into your Google account. ...
  6. Select Next.
  7. Map your information. ...
  8. Select Next.
Jan 3, 2023

How do I transfer client data to QBO? ›

Switch to QuickBooks Online in four easy steps.
  1. Choose a plan. Sign up for QuickBooks Online Essentials or Plus.
  2. Upload your data. Complete our conversion form and upload a backup of your data.
  3. Migrate your data. Our partner, Odyssey Resources, migrates your data and invite you to review the results.
  4. Review.

How do I transfer data to a new version of QuickBooks? ›

Open your new version of QuickBooks Desktop. Go to File, then select Open or Restore Company if you don't have your company file open. Select Open a company file, then Next. If you have a backup company file (QBB) instead of a company file (QBW), select Restore a backup copy.

Can I export transactions from QuickBooks desktop? ›

Import and export overview

You can import things like your bank transactions, accountant's changes, general journal entries, and batch transactions. You can also import your customers and vendors. You can export reports, general journal entries, and customer and vendor lists.

What is an IIF file? ›

Intuit Interchange Format (. IIF) files are ASCII text, TSV (Tab-Separated Value) files that QuickBooks Desktop uses to import or export lists or transactions. These files make it easier to transfer data to and from different platforms to better manage company records in QuickBooks.

How do I import QuickBooks desktop files? ›

Sign in to QuickBooks Online Accountant. Go to Settings ⚙ and select Import desktop data. Select the Windows or Mac tab.

Why do people not like QuickBooks Online? ›

QBO doesn't offer the features you need.

This is its own number because this is such a common rejection of the software. As mentioned QBO is not built to handle everything. Construction accounting, job costing, and inventory management are several common limitations. The apps were designed for this purpose.

Is it easy to go from QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online? ›

QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier

In QuickBooks Desktop, log in as an admin to the company file you need to import. Go to the Company menu, then select Export Company File to QuickBooks Online. Select Get started. Click Select destination, then sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.

How much does it cost to switch to QuickBooks Online from desktop? ›

How the Software Stacks Up
QuickBooks DesktopQuickBooks Online
Starting Price$349.99 per year$15 per month
Mobile AppLimited accessYes
Number of App IntegrationsMore than 200More than 650
Cloud AccessFor an additional fee per user, up to 40 usersYes, for up to 25 users
3 more rows
Mar 28, 2023

Is QuickBooks desktop transferable? ›

Yes, you can always transfer QuickBooks license from one computer to another. Before beginning the transfer process, Intuit recommends you first find your QuickBooks license number and product number. To find these on the original computer, open QuickBooks, Select Help, then select About QuickBooks.

Does it cost to add accountant to QuickBooks Online? ›

In QuickBooks Online (QBO), you can invite an accountant without any charges. Since the user encountered an issue, I recommend contacting our QBO Support Team. One of our specialists will review the Manage users settings in a secure place.

What is QuickBooks migration tool? ›

Whether you have access to QuickBooks Desktop software or just a Desktop file, our online migration tool allows you to migrate your clients' data using a web-hosted solution without having to purchase a Desktop subscription.

Why did QuickBooks migration fail? ›

Your system may not be meeting the minimum system requirements to run the QuickBooks Migration Tool. Some system-related issues may also incite this error. Using an out-to-date version of QuickBooks and Windows O/S may also provoke QuickBooks Migration failed unexpectedly error.

Can you transfer data from one QuickBooks file to another? ›

You can move it to your new computer or another location on your hard drive. Then open QuickBooks and select Open or Restore an existing company. Browse your computer for the folder you just copied and open the copied company file.

Which 3 of these items in QuickBooks Desktop do not convert to QuickBooks Online using the conversion tool? ›

There is certain payroll information, that one can't convert using the QuickBooks conversion tool. This includes: paycheck, employee year to date information, payroll item, individual employee wage, etc.

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