How to Move your QuickBooks Desktop File to QuickBooks Online?

Learn the easy steps to move QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online:

Are you in pursuit of migrating QuickBooks desktop to Online, but unsure of the process? Well, need not to worry. This segment will guide you through the process of exporting a QuickBooks Desktop Company file and importing it into QBO. No need to start over again. You just need to convert the desktop file to a QuickBooks online company. Continue reading to learn the process to transfer from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

You might see also: How to Fix QuickBooks License Error After Cloning (LICENSE ERROR)?

Are you sure about Migrating to QuickBooks online?

Before you start, make sure that your decision is firm enough. QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop are both powerful tools, but there are some things that need consideration to help you determine if the company is a good candidate for migration.

The success of the migration process depends largely upon the complexity of the company file. This file is where all of the information about the business is stored, including inventory, employee information, customer lists, banking history, accounting records, and so on.

When the company files are large, they are usually complex with extensive histories, large inventories, and large overall file sizes. In case you are a QuickBooks enterprise user, then this might indicate that your company file isn’t a good candidate for migration based on the complexity of the company file.

This usually doesn’t mean that you can’t migrate to QuickBooks Online if you understand that the size of the company might need additional setup in QuickBooks Online.

In case you are small or medium-sized company using QuickBooks desktop pro, premier, or premier accountant, then you can easily opt for migration to QuickBooks online.

Should I convert to QuickBooks Online?

I use QuickBooks Desktop to…		Can be done in QuickBooks Online	Can be done in QuickBooks Desktop
Access my company file and manage my data	Back up my data	All editions	All editions*
	Revert to prior version of my company file	Not available	All editions, with backups
	Work with my accountant	All editions	All editions
	Access my company file remotely	All editions	All editions**
	Allow multiple users to access my company file	Essentials, Plus	All editions
	Maintain multiple company files	Requires additional subscriptions	All editions
	Work with multiple QuickBooks windows open at once	All editions	All editions
Work with my customers	Create and manage invoices and bill customers	All editions	All editions
	Create and manage estimates, send to customers, convert to invoices, and use progress invoicing	All editions; Progress invoicing in Plus only	All editions
	Track sales, accept payments, and calculate sales tax	All editions, with QuickBooks Payments	Not available
	Track sales and expenses in multiple currencies	Essentials, Plus	All editions
	Track projects including time expenses, pending payments, unbilled work	Plus	All editions
	Invoice with batch invoicing	Not available	All editions
	Prevent sales to customers with overdue invoices	Not available	Enterprise
Work with my suppliers	Manage bills and pay suppliers	Essentials, Plus	All editions
	Billable expenses	Plus	All editions
	Track and manage contractors	All editions	All editions
Manage employee data	Track employee time, including billable hours	Essentials, Plus	All editions
	Pay employees, e-file payroll taxes, and print and file T4s	All editions, with Enhanced Payroll	All editions, with Payroll subscription
	Connect to my bank, download transactions, and reconcile	All editions	All editions
Use online banking	Undo previous bank reconciliations	By an accountant, in QuickBooks Online Accountant	All editions
	Use the FIFO method to track inventory quantities, sales revenue, and COGS	Plus	Enterprise, with Advanced Inventory
	Use Average Costing method to track inventory	Not available	All editions
Manage inventory	Set and manage inventory reorder points	All editions	All editions
	Track income and expenses and organize according to tax categories	All editions	All editions
	Run custom, Profit & Loss, expense, and balance sheet reports	All editions	All editions
Create and run reports	Forecast sales and expenses	Plus	Premier, Enterprise
	Create custom reports with Intuit Statement Writer	Not available	Enterprise
	Use Advanced Reporting	Not available	Enterprise

Read Also: Steps to Fix QuickBooks Already Has a Company File Open Error

Steps for Converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks online

You can perform the below steps to move the QuickBooks Desktop company file and import it into QuickBooks online.

Step 1: Get your desktop file ready

The first step in the process to move QuickBooks Desktop to Online requires getting your Desktop file ready. You should note that:

• You can only Move a company file within 60 days after signing up to QuickBooks online.
• Some of your Lists and reports won’t be converted due to feature differences.
• The company file is already Set up for payroll in QuickBooks online.

Herein you need to perform the steps below:

• Ensure that the QuickBooks is up to date.
• Check if the company file isn’t too big to export.

Step 2: Import Desktop file to QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier

• Start off with Signing in as admin to the company file you need to Import.
• Further, move to the Company menu and choose Export company file to QuickBooks online.

• Choose the Start your export option.
• And Sign in as admin to QuickBooks online company.
• Just in case you Track inventory in QuickBooks desktop.
  • Choose YES to bring them over and then specify the as of date.
  • Opt for the NO tab to Set up new items later in QuickBooks online.
• Go for the choose Online company drop-down and select the QuickBooks online company you wish to be replaced by the company file.
• Now choose for the Continue tab.
• Enter in the Agree tab and select Replace.
• Choose YES, go ahead and replace the data and select the Replace tab.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

In case you use the advanced features, then start fresh because some of the data won’t get converted. In case you want to keep using these features in enterprise, then learn about cloud enabled QuickBooks desktop enterprise. Or move to QuickBooks online advanced, which has powerful tools like smart reporting and accelerated invoicing.

• Start off by Signing in as an admin to the company file you wish to Import.
• Hit the Ctrl + 1 keys to open the Product information window.

• Further, hit the Ctrl + B+ Q, and choose OK to display the Export window.
• Now select Get Started opt.

• Sign in as an Admin to QuickBooks online company.
• In case you Track inventory in QuickBooks desktop.
  • Go for the YES tab to bring them over, and then specify the as-of-date.
  • Opt for NO if you want to Set up new items later in QuickBooks online.
• Then, go for the choose Online company dropdown and then choose the QuickBooks online company you wish to be replaced by the company file.
• Choose the Continue tab.
• And enter in the Agree tab in the text field and hit Replace tab.
• Lastly, choose YES, go ahead and replace the data and choose Replace.

Step 3: Ensure that the books match.

You can run one of the financial reports to check if your import is successful.

• You need to Run the report, such as Profit and loss on accrual basis on the QuickBooks Desktop.
• And run the same report on the Accrual basis in QuickBooks online.

In case your reports tally, then start with QuickBooks online. Else:

• You can check the guide again to know what happened to the data when you moved from QuickBooks desktop to online.
• In case your reports have issues, then contact us. We can assist you in reaching out to the data services team to Fix report discrepancies.

See Also: How to Fix Issues When Deactivating Bank Feeds in QuickBooks?

Winding up..!

That was all you need to know to move QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks online. For any queries, please call us at 1-800-761-1787. We are a hub of technocrats, who work round the clock to provide the best possible QuickBooks desktop support services. So, do not hesitate in calling us anytime and seeking for assistance! Our experts are always available to address all your accounting-related doubts and queries.

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