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Fix errors when you move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

by Intuit•6• Updated 2 days ago

Learn how to fix errors when you move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Start with basic checks. Then, match your error message to its fix. 

What you’ll need

  • The latest release of QuickBooks Desktop
  • Sign-in access to your QuickBooks Onlinecompany as a primary admin, company admin, or accountant
  • Your company file saved on your computer's local C: drive
  • QuickBooks Desktop in single-user mode
  • The error message you got

Fix errors 

If you finish the following steps and still can't move your company file, contact Support.

Step 1: Try the basics

  1. Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Select Help, then Update QuickBooks. Close and reopen QuickBooks to install the updates.
  2. Move your company file to QuickBooks Online again.

Step 2: Fix a specific error 

If you got an error message, select it below to find the fix. 

One of these may be true:

  • You're not a primary admin, company admin, or accountant in the QuickBooks Online company.
  • You didn't sign in to your QuickBooks Online account before importing, or you didn't finish the setup interview.
  • It's been more than 90 days since your subscription start date, or there's an issue with QuickBooks Payroll account services.

To fix it:

  1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company, and complete the setup interview questions.
  2. Sign in as a primary or company admin, then move your data from QuickBooks Desktop.
  3. Save your company address again.

If you still get the error, cancel your old subscription and create a new QuickBooks Online account. 

QuickBooks Online can't replace employees when you move data. They're linked to payroll items, year-to-date history, and other payroll setup. QuickBooks Online also won't let you delete employees with paycheques or pay history.

Create a new QuickBooks Online company without payroll setup, then move your data into it.

Your company file isn't on your local C: drive, or it's open in multi-user mode.

  1. Close QuickBooks Desktop.
  2. Copy your company file to your local C: drive.
  3. Open the company file in QuickBooks Desktop from the new location.
  4. Select File, then Switch to Single-user mode.
  5. Select Company, then Export Your Company File to QuickBooks Online.

Your company file is saved more than 4 folders deep.

  1. Close QuickBooks Desktop.
  2. Copy your company file to a new folder on your local C: drive, for example c:\new folder\mycompany.qbw.
  3. Open the company file in QuickBooks Desktop from the new location.
  4. Select Company, then Export Your Company File to QuickBooks Online.

Your QuickBooks Desktop file has more than 5,000,000 targets.

  1. Press F2 or Ctrl+1 to open Product Info.
  2. Check the number of targets.

You may not be on the latest release. Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release, then try the move again.