QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software and available in two versions online and desktop versions (QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online) because not every business or organization has the resources to run the Internet all the time.

If you want to access your data from the office or permit access to the users who are outside of your company, then it is the best decision to switch or convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online

But, to simplify things for users who want to switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online, the process is straightforward, and anyone can follow the steps to achieve it. While performing these steps if you feel you are stuck somewhere then you can contact our team to get QuickBooks Support. Dial our toll-free number +1-855-441-4417.

Things to know before converting QuickBooks Desktop to Online

Advantages of Convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online

One of the advantages you can get by converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online is that it is free. Intuit does not charge anything for importing data into the online version

Efficiently compare reports of the previous year with the current year.

Able to access your data from anywhere through the internet.

Features Not Available in QuickBooks Online

Although we have evaluated QuickBooks Online as the most reliable small business accounting software. QuickBooks Online does not have some features that are available in the QuickBooks Desktop version. Before you convert the QuickBooks desktop to online, you must examine many benefits of QBO are deserving of losing any of the below desktop features

Sales orders

Fixed asset tracking with Fixed Asset Manager

Price levels

Estimate to actual reporting

Steps to convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online

Step 1: Verify the Time & File Size Requirements

You are only allowed to import your data to QuickBooks Online in the initial 60 days of the subscription start date. If you have your QBO membership for more than 60 days, you have two options.

Try to Find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, who will help you to convert files in the first 180 days of its subscription start date.

You can also set up a new QuickBooks online subscription by using another email address.

Step 2: Set Your QuickBooks Desktop Data for Export to QuickBooks Online

Follow the steps below to assure that your data is ready for export

Update your data: This is an opportunity to clear your data; For example, you can add or change the contact information of customers or vendors.

This is an opportunity to clear your data; For example, you can add or change the contact information of customers or vendors. Complete outstanding tasks: Ensure all bank accounts are consolidated, payroll is processed, and inventory adjustments are made before converting to QuickBooks Online.

Ensure all bank accounts are consolidated, payroll is processed, and inventory adjustments are made before converting to QuickBooks Online. Back up your data: Create a backup of the data file: steps to create a backup are as follows. First, go to File and select Backup company and then click on create a local backup.

Create a backup of the data file: steps to create a backup are as follows.

Step 3: Sign up for QuickBooks Online Account

Go to the official intuit signup page for QuickBooks Online and enter all personal information like email address, name, mobile number, and password to secure your online account. It may also ask for additional information like your business.

After sign up for your QuickBooks online trial subscription, you’ll be redirected to your company’s dashboard. You need to log out from QuickBooks Online in order to import your data from QuickBooks Desktop. To logout QuickBooks Online, look at the right top corner, click on the gear icon and choose sign out.

Step 4: Open QuickBooks Desktop

Login to your QuickBooks desktop program and sign in to the company that you want to convert to QuickBooks Online. You have to export your data from this account and into QuickBooks Online.

Step 5: Export Company File to QuickBooks Online

Open QuickBooks Desktop company, go to the company menu, and choose Export Company File to QuickBooks Online.

If you are not able to find the export company file in the QuickBooks Online option then you will need to download the latest update of QuickBooks desktop. To update the latest version, go to the help menu and click on update QuickBooks.



After the update is complete, close the QuickBooks desktop, reopen and sign in, then return to step 2 above

If your QuickBooks desktop program is more than three years old then you cannot update the program to export your company file because QuickBooks has stopped maintaining that old desktop programs.

In this case, get a free 30-day trial subscription of the latest QuickBooks desktop and open your company file in the latest updated software, and your data file will be updated. By doing this, you are capable to export your company file to QuickBooks Online.

Step 6: Again Sign in Into Your QBO Account

When you select the data to export to QuickBooks Online then after QuickBooks desktop program will automatically open QBO account sign-in window. Type your User ID and Password to login to your QuickBooks Online account.

Step 7: Show whether you require to import the inventory into QuickBooks Online

If you are maintaining your inventory in QuickBooks Desktop then it’s admired using the average costing method. But, if you prefer existing inventory to QuickBooks Online then it will be worth managing with first out first (FIFO) inventory method. This can have a vital influence on the value of your inventory, as well as changing your inventory method should be reported to the IRS. Make sure to discuss with your accountant before importing your inventory.

If you click Yes (above picture) then the value of every inventory item can be recalculated by applying the FIFO method as the start date you select. As mentioned above, you must need to discuss your accountant before importing your inventory and changing the inventory methods.

If you do not have an account and want to finish your conversion to QuickBooks Online, click. You can always import your inventory from an Excel spreadsheet after consulting an accountant.

Step 8: Select Your Company in QBO

From the drop-down list, select the QBO company you need to import. If in case, you skipped to set up your account then look for the Create New QuickBooks Online Company link and follow the on-screen guidance.

Step 9: Copy Data File

Once you are done with all online instructions for choosing your company, you will see a notification the same to the notification below, whose copying process has started. The time it takes to process this depends on the size of your file. It may take several hours for a small file or a large file.

After copying your data file you will see a notification similar to the note below. Click OK, found the button, and log out of the QuickBooks desktop. After this, it recommends not to use QuickBooks Desktop because if you made any changes will not be exported to QBO.

Once your data is ready, you will receive an email stating that your data is ready to be reviewed in QBO, which is given below. Select the Complete your setup option to log in to QuickBooks Online and verify your data.

Import QB Desktop (.qbw file) to QuickBooks Online

Points to remember:

Keep in mind that you will be able to move company files to the QuickBooks Online only within the 60 days after signing in.

If you have already set up payroll in QuickBooks Online, then you should move lists instead of company files.

You may not be able to convert some of your lists and reports due to the feature difference.

Step 1: Prepare QuickBooks Desktop Company files

Update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version.

Make sure your company file’s size isn’t too large to export.

Step 2: Import QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online

For QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier

First open QuickBooks Desktop and then log in to the company file as admin that you want to import.

Then, select the Company option and then click on the Export Company File to QuickBooks Online option.

option and then click on the option. After that, select Start your import option.

option. Then, you need to login to your QuickBooks Online as admin.

If you use inventory tracking in QuickBooks Desktop. Then, Select Yes , if you want to bring inventory and select the date as of date. Select No , if you want to create a new inventory later in QuickBooks Online.

From the Choose Online File drop-down menu, select the QuickBooks company file that you want to be replaced by the QBD company file.

drop-down menu, select the QuickBooks company file that you want to be replaced by the QBD company file. After selecting the file, select Continue .

. Here, in the text field type ‘Agree’ and select Replace .

and select . At last, click on the Yes, go ahead and replace the data option and select Replace.

NOTE: If you are using older version than 2017, then you need to use a QuickBooks Desktop Trial version for converting company files.

For QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

First, open QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise and the login as admin to the company file you want to import.

Then, you need to open the product information window. For this, press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard.

on your keyboard. After that, press Ctrl+ B + Q and then select OK .

and then select . Now, in the export window, select the Start your Export.

Next, you need to login to your QuickBooks Online Company with administrative credentials.

If you use inventory tracking in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise. The, Select Yes , if you want to move inventory too. Select No , if you want to set up new items in QuickBooks Online.

Then, from the Choose Online Company drop-down menu, select the QBO company file you want to be replaced by the QBD file.

drop-down menu, select the QBO company file you want to be replaced by the QBD file. After selecting the company file, select Continue.

In the text field, type ‘Agree’ and then select the Replace option.

and then select the option. Finally, click on the Yes go, ahead and replace the data option and then select Replace.

NOTE: If you use QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise advanced features such as advanced reporting or advanced inventory then you may not be able to convert some of your data into QuickBooks Online. Therefore, we recommend you to start from scratch in QBO.

If you still want to continue to use these advanced features then you could try QuickBooks on cloud or QuickBooks Online Advanced, both support these advanced features.

Step: 3 Check whether your books match or not

You can run your financial report or match books between QBO and QBD to make sure that your import was successful .

Open a report like profit and loss statement on accurial basis in QuickBooks Desktop.

Then, run the same report in the QuickBooks Online.

Several Reasons to Convert From QuickBooks Desktop to Online

There are benefits to starting QuickBooks Online from scratch rather than getting your data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. If you have been in business for at least one year, you will want to have access to the current financial data of your business so that you can run a comparison report. In addition, converting your data preserves your customer and seller transaction history and your item lists.

There are mainly three reasons to convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online.

1. Get the Facility to Run Comparison Reports

Whether you have been in business for 12 months or a few years, one of the benefits of having access to historical data is that you can run reports to compare previous years with the current year. With this, you can see trends in income and expenses. These trends can help you make decisions that may affect the future of your business.

2. Maintain Vendor & Customer Transactions

Transferring data of QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online maintains all the previous transactions with vendors and customers. If in case, in the future if we need prepayment from customers then you do not have to open your old books on the desktop to find the answer. All your current and past information you can find in one place only.

3. Maintain QuickBooks Items

Being a QuickBooks desktop user you must be friendly with the importance of absolute and exact item lists that used in payroll, invoicing, purchasing, and other fields. QuickBooks Online uses the same item lists. While converting your existing company, you do not save time to recreate these long lists.

When not to convert QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

There are mainly two situations where it highly recommended not to convert QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

The first situation is when your file contains over 350,000 targets. The most suitable option for these companies is to export desktop lists so that customers, vendors, and items do not have to be recreated.

The second situation: If your desktop books are messed up, you may not even want to change your data. In that case, you need to start with scratch.

Steps to Transfer Lists From QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

When a complete conversion of your QuickBooks desktop data is not possible or appropriate, then you have the best option is to manually transfer individual lists of data by an Excel spreadsheet.

To export manually a list from QuickBooks Desktop, first display the list and choose the Excel option placed in the toolbar.

In the drop-down options, click on the Export Customer List.

Things To Do After You Import Data to QuickBooks Online

Before you start working in QuickBooks Online, you must verify that your data was imported successfully. The best method to do this is to run a profit and loss statement and balance sheet report in both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online and compare totals.

Note: If you are a cash base business, use the accrual method for these reports

Use the following parameters for both parameters.

All dates

Accrual method

Once your company is set up and ready. Then, you can

The more important thing, sometimes after converting QuickBooks Desktop to Online users have no idea what to do next. To know more about what to do after converting QuickBooks Desktop to Online.

We hope, this article helps you to convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online and also gives you a guideline on things to do after converting. But if you still have any questions or query then feel free to reach us on our 24/7 toll-free support number +1-855-441-4417 and discuss your query with our team of Intuit certified ProAdvisors and get the immediate solution.