My subscription to Desktop has lapsed and i want to export the data to Online. How od I access my Desktop data?

Hi Dorothy, it's great to connect with you! I’m excited to help you transition from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Moving from one platform to another can feel like a big task, but don’t worry, I’m here to make it as smooth as possible!

When your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) subscription expires, you'll have view-only access for one year. Your company file will remain on your device, but you must renew your subscription to open, view, and export the data.

To renew your subscription, you'll need to contact our support team. Just head to the Renew your QuickBooks Desktop subscription section of this article, where you'll find the contact number for reactivation services: Renew your subscription or use view-only mode in QuickBooks Desktop.

Once you've resubscribed to QBDT, you may start exporting data for your transfer to QuickBooks Online (QBO). To begin doing this, ensure you've updated QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release. Then follow these steps:

1. Mark Inactive Accounts: If you have customers, vendors, or accounts you no longer use, go ahead and mark them as inactive to keep your data clean and make the transfer smoother.
2. Clean Up Unbilled Charges: For any unbilled charges or time associated with inactive accounts, customers, vendors, or employees, either delete or void them.
3. Check the Size of Your Company File: Make sure your file isn't too large to export. Each transaction links to other other entries. The total number of links should be under 750,00. To check, press Ctrl+1 or F2 on your keyboard. If you're over the limit, you may consider condensing your data or entering customer opening balances in a new QBO file.
4. Review What Moves to QuickBooks Online: Not everything from QBDT will move to QBO. Check out this article for more info: Learn how features and data move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.
5. Save Your Sales Tax Liability Report: You'll need this for entering adjustments after the move.

For a more comprehensive guide, refer to this article: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online.

And after your data is successfully migrated to QBO, this article will help you get familiar with the next steps: Learn what to do after you move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance during your migration journey. I'm dedicated to supporting you at every stage, ensuring you fully benefit from all QuickBooks Online has to offer. Wishing you a smooth transition and success ahead!

@DorothyHosking 

Which QB Desktop year version did you use?

So buy your old product to enable buying your new product so you can throw away the fresh bought old product. That sounds ridiculous, as someone who just started a new online file that wants to archive but be able to access my old desktop one I am finding a lot of reasons like this to feel like I should have just migrated to a different company.

@Crutchers 

Which QB Desktop year version did you use?

I am still current however I was planning to let it expire because I started a new online file and just want to archive my old data. I wanted a fresh start because we are changing corporate structure and the old file had 14 years of clutter. My understanding is I only have access to it for one year but it seems there should be a provision for permanent read-only access for archiving and tax audit purposes.

Make sure to replace your credit card number with a dummy one in CAMPS before the renewal date. Otherwise, their billing system will still charge your card and you will spend extra effort to cancel the subscription and request a refund. Then you can use the trial version of QB Desktop 2024 Enterprise to access your historical data for good.