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sammisixx
November 12, 2020
Solved

How do I transfer my data from Wave to QuickBooks Online?

  • November 12, 2020
  • 9 replies
  • 75 views

Hello!

 

I've been dilly-dallying over this and need some advice, please. I have managed to export my Wave data as a csv file - however this is an all transaction list (including double entries for credits/debits etc). 

 

I can see that if you have tidy lists of invoices or your charts of accounts, these can be swifty imported using Quickbooks itself, but that isn't the data that I have managed to pull out (I don't need Customer lists or Vendors etc - they are very few) 

 

So - do I try and import my data, or is there a better way of just moving everything over to Quickbooks? 

 

HELP!

 

Thanks :)

    Best answer by Elizabeth P

    How you move your data from Wave to QuickBooks Online depends on what format your Wave export is in.

    If you have tidy, separated lists (invoices, chart of accounts, customers, etc.):

    QuickBooks Online can import these directly:

     

    For other transactions that unable to import into Quickbooks, I'd suggest communicating with the Wave support. Go to Settings → Import Data to get started with any of these file types. If your file contains multiple data types, split it into separate CSVs matching each category above, each type imported individually.

    If you only have an all-transaction CSV export (mixed debits/credits, already categorised):

    QuickBooks Online doesn't currently support importing transactions with categorisation already attached (expense accounts, paid status, etc). Your options, in order of how much categorisation you keep:

    1. Use a third-party import app — go to the Apps tab in QBO and search for an import/conversion tool. This generally preserves your existing categorisation best.
    2. Spreadsheet Sync (QuickBooks Online Advanced only) — syncs data between spreadsheets and QBO directly, but isn't available on other plans.
    3. Import as Bank Data — available on every plan, but you'll lose all categorisation and need to manually recategorise each transaction, then reconcile the account against your bank statement afterward.

     

    What typically doesn't convert cleanly between platforms (worth planning for, regardless of method):

    • Budgets, inventory tracking, and fixed assets
    • Classes and custom items
    • Memorized/recurring transactions
    • Custom VAT rates and invoice templates
    • Timesheets and attachments
    • Deleted or voided transactions

     

    If you migrate using journal entries and later notice missing or duplicated Sales data: journal entries don't always populate Sales/Business Overview reports the same way native invoices do. If this happens, consider importing the actual Invoice CSV (if available) instead, and remove the journalised duplicate to avoid double-counting.

     

    More detail: Common questions about importing data to QuickBooks Online

    9 replies

    MichelleBh
    MichelleBh
    Level 8
    November 12, 2020

    Hello, @sammisixx.

     

    Let me share with you the transactions that can be imported in QuickBooks Online. 

     

    These are the following: 

     

    For other transactions that unable to import into Quickbooks, I'd suggest communicating with the Wave support. This way, they can guide with the whole process on how to import debit or credits transactions into QBO. Also, provide the simplest way of importing data. 

     

    Please browse through this article about how to resolve issues when importing data to QBO: Common questions about importing data to QuickBooks Online.

     

    Let me know if you have other concerns by replying to this thread. I'm here to help. Take care!

    Fiat Lux - ASIA
    Fiat Lux - ASIA
    Level 14
    November 13, 2020

    @sammisixx 

    You may have 2 options:

    1. Utilize an importer tool

    https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbo

     

    2. Purchase a 3rd party conversion service.

    Check our profile name and send your business email address in a private message to us.

     

    Some of Wave data may not converted:

    * Budgets
    * Track Inventory
    * Description
    * Classes
    * Items
    * QTY and sales price
    * Fixed Asset
    * Expense Claims
    * Memorized Transactions
    * Payment Terms
    * Custom VAT Rates
    * Invoice Templates
    * Time Sheets
    * Repeating Invoices after the "Convert To" date
    * Deleted/Void Transactions
    * Allocation of Invoices or Bills against credit notes
    * Transaction lines with Nil Values
    * Attachments
    * Unreconciled Entry

     

    Workarounds

    * Chart of Accounts - Sub Accounts in Access Dimension are may be converted as Independent Accounts in QBO
    * Chart of Accounts - Inactive Accounts, if used in Access Dimension in the conversion period may be turned as Active Accounts in QBO
    * Open Receivable and Payable Invoices may be contain only single line showing the unpaid balance of Invoice in QBO
    * Multiple Accounts Receivables in Access Dimension may be merged in single Account Receivable in QBO
    * Multiple Accounts Payables in Access Dimension may be merged in single Account Payable in QBO
    * Multiple VAT Accounts in Access Dimension may be merged in single VAT Account in QBO
    * Custom Sales Tax Rates may be converted into standard Sales Tax Rate with "Tax Adjustment" entry as separate line item in QBO
    * Inter Bank Transfers may be converted through a Clearing Account in QBO
    * Clearing Account may be used in QBO for transactions where Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable are passed as Journal Entry in Access Dimension
    * Transactions without any contact / payee name in Access Dimension may be transferred as "No Name" contact in QBO
    * System Accounts like Retained Earnings, Sales Tax Account, Realized Currency Gains may be used in QBO for their counterpart accounts in Access Dimension
    * Rounding can be different in QBO and Access Dimension because of the data precision techniques used in both software’s

    J
    jeyasayas14
    April 27, 2023

    Hi, I have a question about the Wave to QBO migration. I successfully managed to transfer the Wave data to QBO via Journal Entries (Wave provided Transactions in their Export option) is just that some reports esp the Sales in Business Overview are not showing up. What can I do about it? Is it okay to import the Invoice CSV file that Wave provided, then delete the journalized invoice that I've added?

    S
    sheldawson
    February 26, 2022

    I use something called Saasant to export/import my Quickbooks data from a program called RFMS.
    It has been easy to use and I have received very prompt, practically immediate, effective support when I have had any issues.
    https://www.saasant.com/ I felt the cost wasn't that bad compared to its competitors.

    Elizabeth P
    Elizabeth PCommunity ManagerAnswer
    Community Manager
    August 20, 2026

    How you move your data from Wave to QuickBooks Online depends on what format your Wave export is in.

    If you have tidy, separated lists (invoices, chart of accounts, customers, etc.):

    QuickBooks Online can import these directly:

     

    For other transactions that unable to import into Quickbooks, I'd suggest communicating with the Wave support. Go to Settings → Import Data to get started with any of these file types. If your file contains multiple data types, split it into separate CSVs matching each category above, each type imported individually.

    If you only have an all-transaction CSV export (mixed debits/credits, already categorised):

    QuickBooks Online doesn't currently support importing transactions with categorisation already attached (expense accounts, paid status, etc). Your options, in order of how much categorisation you keep:

    1. Use a third-party import app — go to the Apps tab in QBO and search for an import/conversion tool. This generally preserves your existing categorisation best.
    2. Spreadsheet Sync (QuickBooks Online Advanced only) — syncs data between spreadsheets and QBO directly, but isn't available on other plans.
    3. Import as Bank Data — available on every plan, but you'll lose all categorisation and need to manually recategorise each transaction, then reconcile the account against your bank statement afterward.

     

    What typically doesn't convert cleanly between platforms (worth planning for, regardless of method):

    • Budgets, inventory tracking, and fixed assets
    • Classes and custom items
    • Memorized/recurring transactions
    • Custom VAT rates and invoice templates
    • Timesheets and attachments
    • Deleted or voided transactions

     

    If you migrate using journal entries and later notice missing or duplicated Sales data: journal entries don't always populate Sales/Business Overview reports the same way native invoices do. If this happens, consider importing the actual Invoice CSV (if available) instead, and remove the journalised duplicate to avoid double-counting.

     

    More detail: Common questions about importing data to QuickBooks Online

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