Import your chart of accounts to QuickBooks Online

You can import a chart of accounts from a spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets, or CSV) instead of manually entering accounts in QuickBooks Online. This is best done when first setting up your company. If you only have a few accounts, you can create new accounts manually instead. 

For a better experience, open this article in QuickBooks Online. Launch side-by-side view

Step 1: Format your spreadsheet

Before you import, you’ll want to format your spreadsheet correctly. You can use an existing spreadsheet of accounts, create a new one, or export your chart of accounts from another QuickBooks file. 

1. Open your existing spreadsheet of accounts, create a new one, or export your chart of accounts from another QuickBooks company.
2. Make sure you have these columns in your spreadsheet:
   • Account Name
   • Type
   • Detail Type
   • Account number (optional)
3. If you have a subaccount, add it in the Account Name column in this format: Main account: subaccount. For example, Utilities: Gas. See the table for more examples of how to format subaccounts.
4. If everything’s correct, save your spreadsheet in Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV format.

Here's a sample of how your spreadsheet should look. You can also download our sample spreadsheet if you need more references.

Step 2: Import your chart of accounts

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Select Settings ⚙ then select Import Data.
3. Select Chart of Accounts.
4. To upload a file:
   • From your computer, select Browse and choose the file. Then select Open.
   • From Google Sheets, select Connect to sign in to your Google account. Choose the correct file, and then select Select.
5. Select Next.

Step 3: Map your spreadsheet fields to QuickBooks fields

Once you upload your spreadsheet, map your accounts so they import correctly.

1. Select the Your Field ▼ dropdown and match the names to the QuickBooks Online field for:
   • Detail Type
   • Account Name
   • Account Number
   • Type
2. Except for Account Name, you can select No Match for fields that don’t have matching columns in your spreadsheet. For example, if you don't use account numbers.
3. Select Next.

Step 4: Review and import your accounts

You’re almost finished. Check everything one last time before you import your accounts.

1. If you haven't yet, be sure to add account types and detail types.
   Note:
   • Focus on getting the account types right first. Then, select the detail types that fit the transactions you want to track.
   • If you see a field highlighted in red, hover over the highlighted field to see what you need to fix. Double-check the spacing in the spreadsheet cells.
2. Uncheck any account you don't want to save.
3. If everything looks good, select Import.

Next Steps

1. Enter opening balances for your accounts. The opening balance is the starting point for the accounts you import into QuickBooks. Make sure to create a journal entry to enter opening balances after you import all accounts.
2. Connect your bank or credit card accounts to QuickBooks, and we'll download and categorize your transactions. You can then review and approve them.