How do I convert my QuickBooks online to QuickBooks Desktop??

Start here Export and convert your QuickBooks Online to Desktop

Hi vanessacelina,

Please go through the following articles which should clear your doubts.

1)    Export from QBO to Desktop 

2)    Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop 

Have a great day!

Vanessa,

Even EASIER.....

It has been months since I needed to get a backup of a client's QBO or convert a client to desktop. That said, attempting this yesterday (08/01/18) caused much frustration and ultimately I gave up for the day. In the past, this was a rather SIMPLE task! NOT anymore. Here is what I finally figured out, that NONE of the Intuit dialogue boxes or "help" will tell you.

1. Open your desktop QB in ADMINISTRATOR MODE! (this is KEY and not mentioned ANYWHERE in the QBO instructions as you are creating/downloading/converting the file!).

To do this, right click the QB desktop icon, and click "Run as administrator." If a company file opens, close it so that you are at the main QB screen to choose what company to open.

2. Open Internet Explorer in ADMINISTRATOR MODE! (again, key and not mentioned by Intuit). Do this the same way as above for QB Admin Mode. Also of note, you MUST USE IE for this process. You cannot use ANY other browser. If you do not have IE, go get it. 

3. AS SOON AS YOU OPEN Internet Explorer, BEFORE you login to QBO, you MUST turn off your pop-up blocker. Attempting to do this AFTER logging into QBO and while you're in the process of converting will serve only to lock up the QBO website!

To turn off the pop up blocker in IE, go to the tools icon, choose Internet Options. Go to the "Privacy" tab. UN-check "Turn on Pop-up Blocker". 

4. Login to your QBO account. Click the gear icon, select "Export Data".

From that point forward, it is pretty self explanatory, and by following the on-screen instructions you should have your desktop backup/working file in no time. It would have saved me HOURS had steps 1 - 3 above been included in the instructions AT the QBO account. Intuit FAIL!

It is a very simple process to convert your QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktops by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Log into QuickBooks Online and prepare the file for export.
• Download QuickBooks Desktop and the migration tool
• Select your data in QuickBooks Online for export
• Run the QuickBooks Desktop migration tool
• Verify your info exported correctly

Here are more details:

• Export QBO to QuickBooks Desktop 

You literally just provided instructions for the OPPOSITE action that the question is about!

Thank you for these tips,

we will be working on this project  next week and have heard many different scenarios.

Anything additional we should know or do before getting started?

Thanks for joining the Community, angie333.

Yes, there is important information to know before exporting data file from QuickBooks Online to Desktop.

• Right now, exporting into QuickBooks Desktop is only available in the US version of QuickBooks Online.
• To use the export feature, you must be a Master Administrator, Company Administrator, or invited accountant.
• Please use a PC with Internet Explorer 10 or higher.
• You must have a supported version of QuickBooks Desktop for Windows installed on the PC in which you are performing the export. For access to trial versions of the desktop program, for the purposes of export, see QuickBooks Desktop trial links.

As always, you can refer to this article for the complete steps and details on how to export the data file: Export data file from QuickBooks Online to Desktop 

Once done, run a Balance Sheet and a Profit and Loss report to ensure that the numbers match. Make sure to set them on an Accrual basis and for All Dates in both programs.

Take a look at this article for future reference: Customize your Profit and Loss report.

Let me know the result after exporting your data file. I'll jump right back in to assist if you need anything else. Best regards.

Thank you!! I have been trying to convert my file for hours now, as soon as I switched to Administrator mode, it worked, no problem! Thank you!!!

Hello! I can advise you to get Business Importer Online to export all your data from QBO and then import those exported docs into QBD using Business Importer Desktop. It really saves time ! 

@yoavhavshI'm glad you're up an running now!

You are awesome!  Thanks for the advice.  I've struggled with this conversion so many times.

The "export data file from QuickBooks Online to Desktop" link does not work.

I appreciate you for pointing this out, abrowningcpa.

I'll be sharing the first out of six steps in exporting QuickBooks Online (QBO) data to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Let's set up the security settings in Internet Explorer.

Here's how:

1. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Go to the Tools icon, then Internet Options.
4. Select Security, then Trusted sites.
5. Click Sites.
6. In the Add this website to the zone field, enter: *.intuit.com.
7. Make sure Require server verification (https: ) for all sites in this zone is unchecked.
8. Close the Trusted Sites window.
9. Make sure Enable Protected Mode is unchecked.
10. Select Apply, then Okay. Leave Internet Explorer open.

Once done, proceed with Step 2 in this article: Export your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

You will want to learn more about limitations when exporting data from QBO to QBDT, through these articles: Export limitations - QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

If you have more questions, just let me know. I'm always happy to help.

I have done everything as suggested in these answers. I managed to transfer my accountant company file into QB desktop, but when i try to move one of the company files, it just won't work.  The gear box disappears in the upper right corner.   I'm a company admin, i'm running admin in both apps. I don't know why this isn't working, but it worked for my accountant company.  

I don't like QBO!

This can be a browser-related issue @ joannamidolo.

Let me provide some basic troubleshooting steps to fix this issue.

First, use a private window to access QuickBooks. This will prevent the use of cookies stored on the computer.

Let's simply press the following commands:

• Ctrl + Shift + N (Google Chrome).
• Ctrl + Shift + P (Firefox or Internet Explorer).
• Control + Option + P (Safari).

Once done, you can try converting again. If it works, then let’s go back to your browser and clear the cache. These caches of data are essentially junk files and can be safely deleted to free up storage space.

I also recommend using other supported browser in QuickBooks if the issue persist.

However, if you're still getting the error, it would be best to get in touch with our QuickBooks support team to further assist the issue.

Here's how:

1. Select Help (?) at the top right.
2. Click the Contact Us button.
3. Enter "Convert my QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop" in the description.
4. Hit Let's talk.
5. Select Get a callback.

You can comment below if you need anything. I'm here to help.

@ReymondO 

WHO are you talking to? There is no @richard38 in this conversation thread.

WHATEVER issue(s) he's having, he's not going to see your reply.

You're in the wrong conversation.

@JT_WA_State @joannamidolo 

Visit this thread and jump to the last post. You may try the steps.

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/how-do-i-transfer-online-client-to...

This function is now completely broken.  

First, it forces you to login in Internet Explorer

Second, there is no way to open the Setting Gear icon.  I just spins and spins for hours.  

Support says they are working on a way to make this work with Chrome, but tax season is already upon us.  There is no work-around, and there is no other option.  

Another reason to urge all your clients to NEVER go to QuickBooks online.  

I'm having the same problem and after talking with Quickbooks Online and desktop support there seems to be no fix!

They told me quickbooks online is on IE which is why you have to use this browser. That seems crazy because it isn't supported any longer.  The directions also state that you should use a windows 7 computer. I haven't had that for a while. 

---

Support says they are working on a way to make this work with Chrome, but tax season is already upon us.  There is no work-around, and there is no other option.  

 

There are 2 options:

1. Utilize the 3rd party tool to self migrate (i.e exporter for QBO, importer for QBD)

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbo

https://partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

2. Purchase a 3rd party migration service. I noticed it costs $450

So their solution is pay for 3rd party software?!?  Unacceptable.  

You can get to the correct page by typing in the address directly, even though the gear icon is not working.  /exportdata is what you need I believe.  I found the address by navigating to the page in chrome and then went back, signed in with IE, and added the correct address.

That said, once I got through the process, it still doesn't give you your data.  It says that Intuit has to review the request and make sure the data can be exported, which usually takes 12 hours.  I'm still waiting a week later!

Hi, yogabystillwater.

While the Community can provide answers and troubleshooting solutions to certain questions, there are things that only our phone support can do to resolve the problem.

Since none of the steps shared here fixes the issue, I highly recommend giving them a call again. They'll be able to do a screen-sharing session and see what's going on on your end when converting your company data.

Unlike in this public forum, they have the tools required to perform any escalations in the system whenever necessary on your behalf. To ensure we address your concern on time, check out our support hours.

Know that you can always visit our Help Articles page for QuickBooks Online in case you need some reference for your future tasks.

Feel free to post back again if you have any other questions. I’d be more than willing to lend you a hand.