QOL says customer list .xlsx file has no data, excel 5.0/95 .xls file is too big(2.6MB), excel 97-2003 .xls file contains no data. How do I proceed with import into QOL?

Welcome to the QuickBooks family, @avelecltd. I'll help you proceed in importing your customer's data into QuickBooks Online (QBO).

I appreciate you for editing the file. Based on the error, I believe this is because of your excel file. But no worries, I'll give you some information and troubleshooting steps to isolate the issue. 

Here are several things you need to make sure of before importing customers to QBO:

• The file size limit is 2MB or 1000 rows. To import multiple pages, save each page as a separate file.
• Ensure that there are no sub-customers added to the list. Make them parent account before importing, then change it back right after. 
• Make sure the customer's name is unique and use one email. 
• Column headers are in the first row.
• Contacts are on Sheet1 of the spreadsheet.
• The spreadsheet doesn't have any formulas, charts, or blank rows.
• The spreadsheet has no errors, such as #REF!, #NAME?, #N/A or #VALUE!.
• Names don't contain colons ( : ) or quotation marks (").

Also, knowing which contact fields will be imported into Excel is essential. This way, the error will not prompt again. Click this link for more information: Which contact fields are imported from Excel?

Once confirmed, I'd recommend importing the data again. For complete steps, see this link: Import customers or suppliers from email contacts to QuickBooks Online.

Head to these articles below on how to manage your customer's payments, invoices, refunds, credits, reports, and other related matters: 

• Add and manage customers in QuickBooks.
• Sales and customers in QBO

 In case you need a visual guide, you can bookmark our QBO Video Tutorial for your future reference. This contains topics on how to supervise your company data. 

I'm always available to answer your questions about QuickBooks. Just get back on this thread. Be safe always, and enjoy using QuickBooks. 

@avelecltd-gmail- 

Do you need to convert data from QB Desktop 2015 UK version to QB Online UK version, or else?

Hi MichelleBH,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I have referred to the guidelines you have quoted but have possibly misunderstood what is meant by 'pages'. I had interpreted this as meaning sheets but perhaps it refers to the page break preview layout. If so then I have 16 pages but all on sheet 1. I have been following the format of the sample file output by my old QuickBooks Pro 2015 desktop which has 16 column headings. The file size of my .xlsx file is 174K. The contact fields are the same and in the same order as in the sample file. However, QBOL does not get as far as making any comment on these but just immediately tells me that the file has no data. Any suggestions as to what to do next will be very welcome. Many thanks for your help.

Hi,

Yes, exactly what you are saying. What could possibly go wrong, eh? I've followed the format of the sample file output by QB 2015 Pro desktop but QBOL does not seem to want to know or give any hints as to what to do. It just says there is no data in the .xlsx file.  Thanks for your interest, any suggestions will be welcome. Regards.

@avelecltd-gmail- 

You can utilize the trial version for QBD 2020 UK version to upgrade your file and migrate to QBO UK version.

Thanks for getting back to us and laying out the details of your concern, @avelecltd. I’m here to ensure you can proceed with importing your data into QuickBooks Online.

Beforehand, I appreciate you for following the troubleshooting steps provided by my colleague above. But since the issue persists, I’d also agree with Fiat’s suggestion that you can utilize the trial version of QuickBooks Desktop to move your company file to your QuickBooks Online UK version.

Once the QBDT trial version is downloaded, we can now get your company file ready for import. Please know that upon creating your QBO account, you have 60 days to move your data. When you’re ready to import, here’s how:

1. Ensure that your total targets are less than 500,000. Press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard. If it exceeds, enter your customer's opening balances in a new QuickBooks Online file.
2. Print a copy of your Sales Tax Liability report. You'll need it to enter adjustment entries after your move.
   
   

                   a. Go to the Reports menu, then select Suppliers & Payables. Select Sales Tax Liability.

                   b. From the Dates dropdown, select All.

                   c. At the top, from the Print dropdown, select Save as PDF.

                   d. Choose the folder you want to save it in, name the file, and select Save.

Once everything is all set, we can start moving your QBDT file to QBO. For the detailed step-by-step process, I recommend following Step 2 in this article: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online. 

In addition, I’ve got you these handy articles that’ll help you fix errors upon converting and what data doesn't migrate in QBO: 

• How to fix errors when converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
• What Data Doesn't Convert from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online?

If you have any other follow-up questions about managing your company files, let me know by adding a comment below. I'm always here to help. Keep safe always.