Migrating QB Desktop to Online

You do know Intuit are ceasing desktop in the UK next year don't you?

Have you tried downloading the upgrade file from here https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products

It should update to the newest version then you could move onto QBO. QBO data import is now conducted by a 3rd party. which charge you extra so you can keep your legally HMRC required 6 years worth of books. However, I wouldn't rush in with both feet. If you can get your data moved across try running Online and Desktop side by side for a while before deciding if it's right for you.

I will warn you Intuit's customer support if pretty bad, and don't expect them to fix anything, and that includes the missing basic features.

Hope that helps, and happy new year :)

PS. Expect one of the Intuit bots to reply with some half baked reply.

I'm joining in to share some details about this, @Kev-20.

Yes, @Mark Armistead is right. You can utilize the free trial version of the latest QuickBooks Desktop application to have your data upgraded to the newer version. However, please know that if you choose to proceed using this method, you'll have to do it gradually. That said, if your data is from the QuickBooks Desktop 2020, you'll have to go through QBDT 2021 and then QBDT 2022, and lastly, the latest version, which is the QuickBooks Desktop 2023.

Once you've got your data files upgraded, you can start slowly migrating them into your QuickBooks Online (QBO) company. You can refer to this article for further guidelines: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online.

In addition, here's an article to know more about how QuickBooks handles your desktop data to online: Learn how features and data move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

I'd also recommend checking this page to know what to expect after migrating your data to QBO: Learn about converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

If you need further assistance managing your company data, don't hesitate to leave a comment below. I'll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible. Take care, and happy holiday!

@Kev-20 

Where is your company located? UK or anther country?

Hello Mark. HNY 2023 to you also. Yes, I do know QB will be cancelling the desktop version, hence my post in upgrading when I simply can't do it. Thanks very much for the link which I'll try and the advice and yes, I know from past experience with QB help that they are short of half baked help. It's why a few of my mates have jumped to "Freshbooks" or "Zero" etc but I need "Stock Control" and the latter suppliers don't appear to offer this function
I'll let you know about the link you kindly sent me and see what other possible help I've been give :)

Thanks again Mark

@ Fiat Lux

Company is based and ran from the UK

If you are still using QB Desktop 2020, you may have 2 options:

1. Prepare your QB Online account

https://quickbooks.grsm.io/UK

then use MMB service to convert your data. But you should consider purchasing another 3rd party service if you need to convert data with certain requirements (e.g. attachments, multi-currency)

https://movemybooks.co.uk/move-to-quickbooks/limitations-of-service-quickbooks/

2. Purchase a new one time license for QB Desktop 2020 UK version. Then use a bridging app to meet MTD requirements. They provide a HMRC Approved web based solution for submitting your VAT returns for MTD. You can use your own excel spreadsheet or use an export Excel or CSV from any accounting program for free for the fist year.

@ KurtKyle_M

Very helpful, thank you so very much. I clearly had no idea about having to go to each new version before being able to go to QBO. So just to confirm, yes I am on QBDT 2020, I've been with QB for 15 years now. So, using the link provided by Mark and both of your help, I'll use the link to go to QBDT2021, then 22 and finally 23

I hope this post remains open as I want to come back to let you know how I get on as I cannot be the only person having to go through all of this

Again, thanks so much for the time and kind help you've given me

Very helpful @ Fiat Lux ;)

My QB DT2020 is good got MTD (Thank god), so I'm going to try the link and long winded way of upgrading from 2020 to 2023 and hope to god it works

@Kev-20 

@Kurt_M may forget that you are using QBD UK version (not US or CA) and (as I know) they never released QBD 2022 and 2023 UK version. They have also disabled the conversion feature for QBD UK version and you have to use a 3rd party service to do so.

@ Fiat Lux

I've just found that out ;-(
The link that Mark supplied only goes to 2021 QBDT. I still can't re-install QBDT 2020 on my new PC, thankfully I still have it on a laptop, but even that will not let me go to QBOL version without constant links to upgrade my 2020 version I have, which as you have clearly pointed out, doesn't work, has been disabled and you're stuck with an out dated DT version

For me and so many others, (UK based at least) it clearly looks like starting from scratch as I can't see any other option now

What I will say, is you've been fantastic with taking time out to help me and at least confirm what I had feared would be the case :(

@Fiat Lux - ASIA 
Ok, I'm trying not to cry over this, and having read your replies several times, I don't use multi-currency or payroll and any add-on services at all. Purchase orders and Stock control etc are the main functions I use as I sell my products online

All I ever used was obviously MTD, VAT, and the "Attach File" for attaching supplier invoices when entering a bill

What 3rd party software or supplier would be able to import my 2020DT-QBB backup to the online version apart from a seriously clever person or is it a case of starting all over again...?

Have you visited the link I mentioned earlier? MMB can convert your 2 years core data for free.

Yes, I did visit the link you sent me. I've still got in in front of me. It can't do everything and I know it will be a case of me entering stock and no doubt a load of other stuff, but something is better than nothing as they say. I have no choice really but to give it a go

I can't sit here and do nothing ;)