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Our comprehensive guide to Dataswitcher

SOLVEDby QuickBooks46Updated October 20, 2023

Dataswitcher is our data migration supplier available to help make your transition to QuickBooks Online as smooth as possible.

Depending on the amount of data to transfer, it can take up to 48 hours.

Getting started

  1. Dataswitcher Conversions Made Easy (Use the wizard to select correct service)
  2. Dataswitcher limitations from Sage50 to QuickBooks Online
  3. Pre-requisites before converting to QuickBooks Online
  4. Pre- conversion checklist for Sage50 to QuickBooks Online

Post-conversion & submitting your first VAT filing

  1. Checking the results of a conversion 
  2. Post Conversion tasks
  3. Submitting your first VAT report after your conversion
  4. Cash VAT post-conversion

If you need more help, use the help button within QuickBooks Online to search for further articles or to connect with an expert. Click here.

Getting started

  1. Dataswitcher Conversions Made Easy (Use the wizard to select correct service)
  2. Dataswitcher limitations from Xero to QuickBooks Online
  3. Pre-requisites before converting to QuickBooks Online
  4. Pre- conversion checklist for Xero to QuickBooks Online

Post-conversion & submitting your first VAT filing

  1. Checking the results of a conversion 
  2. Post Conversion tasks
  3. Submitting your first VAT report after your conversion
  4. Cash VAT post-conversion

If you need more help, use the help button within QuickBooks Online to search for further articles or to connect with an expert. Click here.

Is Dataswitcher endorsed by Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks?

Yes. Although Dataswitcher is not part of Intuit, we work in partnership with Intuit to ensure we’re able to transfer data swiftly and accurately. Intuit recommends using Dataswitcher if you’re transferring to QuickBooks Online from Sage or Xero.

How long will it take to import my data?

We will aim to complete your conversion within two to four working days of receiving your data file, although it is often much faster than that.

How will my business data be used?

When you send us your business data, we simply convert it to QuickBooks Online format. We don’t review it in detail; share it with anyone outside our business, or use it for anything else. Once you let us know you’re happy with your QuickBooks Online account then your data will be permanently deleted from Dataswitcher servers.

How will my business data be protected?

As long as you use Dataswitcher to upload your data, it will be protected using the industry-standard SSL encryption. Data is removed from our servers promptly after you have uploaded, and we store a copy on our local servers during conversion. Post conversion we move your data to secure offline storage where it is encrypted. It is best practice to also suggest you have a password on your source data file.

How much does the service cost?

For a limited time, it is completely free to transfer up to two financial years of data to QuickBooks Online, thanks to Intuit. We will create a new QuickBooks Online account for you if you don’t have one already, for which you’ll have to pay the subscription cost per month. This is paid directly to Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, and not to Dataswitchers.

What data will be converted?

We will transfer the following data to QuickBooks Online:

  • Customer details
  • Supplier details
  • Chart of accounts
  • Account balances
  • Customer balances
  • Supplier balances
  • Items list
  • Historical transactions

I’ve already signed up for QuickBooks Online. Can I move my data to that account?

Yes. If you have an existing QuickBooks Online file you would like us to move your data in to, please invite us to that file. Also, we can only do the migration from if there is no data available in the QBO file. Please contact support if that is not the case.

How does the process work?

  1. Connect to the Dataswitcher wizard (Use the wizard to select the correct service).
  2. Choose the appropriate option as per your region.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  4. Once you complete the conversion, you will receive an email to track the conversion.

I did not request conversion of some old data but I can see it in the QuickBooks Online file

The data importing process will transfer all compatible data existing in your provided file to QuickBooks Online. However, we will only validate (check and correct) data for the range you have requested. We advise you to keep a backup of relevant data to have a history of transactions prior to the conversion date.

Post-conversion tasks

Confirming company settings: Although we are able to move your accounting figures into QuickBooks, we don't carry over information like company name, address and email details. You will need to update these fields.
Reconciling bank transactions: We are unable to mark bank transactions as reconciled during our conversion process. Once your conversion is complete, you will need to mark the bank transactions as reconciled, leaving only the unpresented items as unreconciled and agreeing with the statement balance.

Sales and services VAT Returns for earlier periods may need to be "filed" in QuickBooks, to make sure that old transactions do not appear in the next Tax Return report. You should check the first Tax Return you produce in QuickBooks carefully, to ensure that the numbers are as you would expect.​

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