Hello there! ^_^

I'm sure you have either figured this out by now or moved onto a different payroll solution. Whichever the case, I wanted to post the solution I found, in case it's helpful to others. It's quite simple and I understand everyone's frustration on this, as a bookkeeper who just migrated 10 years of historical data for a client from Desktop to Online. 

Try the following if you are unable to create your IIF export file from Payroll Settings:

1.) Make sure in the payroll settings you have selected the correct export settings for either Windows or Mac by selecting the little pencil icon on the right. Ensure your accounts match precisely with where you want the data transferred in Quickbooks Desktop.

2.) Now, click Payroll on the left main menu and be sure you are in the Overview tab. 

3.) Moving down from Overview you should see a link titled "View Paycheck List". 

(If you do not see it you can click on the Employees tab to see the link again toward the top right of the screen underneath "Run Payroll")

4.) Once you've selected Paycheck list, ensure that the pay period/date range you would like to export has been selected correctly. 
5.) Here comes the Magic Moment - Instead of looking to the right where you see "Share, Export to Excel, and Printer Friendly," Just select the empty box at the top left of the report to select all line items.
6.) You should see a button labeled "Export to accounting", where you can download your paycheck IIF file as many times as you'd like. 

If anyone found this helpful, please give it a "cheer" or thumbs up so that others see it quickly. 

The export function from QBO payroll doesn’t work with the QBO accounting software either. I’ve had an open ticket for 2 months now trying to resolve. QB support just tells you to call and you have to hash thru your entire problem all over again. It’s like living the same nightmare over and over. So disappointing. 

The "export to iif" option does not appear for me when I follow these steps.  I have already made multiple calls with no resolution.  I can not change the options on the payroll settings screen.  Any other suggestions?

I have the same problem as you.  Today, it hit critical mass when the link on the online payroll would not

even download the IIF file. 

Hello there, @Pdya.

Let me provide you with some details regarding this exporting Intuit Interchange Format (IIF) files issue and help you point in the right direction for support.

Currently, we've already received reports that some users have also encountered the same issue you're having. Rest assured, our Engineering Team is aware of this and is working diligently to resolve it.

To get you in the loop on the latest updates on the issue, I encourage you to contact our Customer Care Team. This way, they'll add you to the list of affected users and notify you via email of the resolution updates. You can present this investigation number (INV-74475) to our representative to speed up the process. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Click the ? Help button at the top right corner.
   
   
3. Go to the Search tab, then select Contact Us.
4. Enter a brief discussion with your concern, then click Continue.
5. Choose a way to connect with us.
   
   

Please review our support hours to ensure that we can address your concerns on time.

Additionally, you can pull up a variety of payroll reports in QuickBooks. This will give you a closer look at your employee's total wages, deductions, and tax information in a certain period. For the complete list of available payroll reports and how to pull them up, kindly refer to this article: Run payroll reports.

I appreciate your patience while we’re working to fix this. Please know I'm only a post away if you have any other QuickBooks-related questions. Take care!

Breatheeasy books,  Thank you very much for this work around solution. I was panicked that I would manually have to enter each paycheck into my checking register in QB desktop. I was able to download my last paychecks and am breathing easier.

Thanks for sharing us an update, @Pdya.

It’s great to know that we were able to help you resolve your concern with downloading your paychecks. We can assure you that assisting and providing the right resolution for our valued customers is our top priority.

Also, I added this article to your reference when checking the latest updates about the product: The QuickBooks Blog.

If you have any questions about QuickBooks, you can always drop by and post your concerns. I’ll make sure to address that as soon as I can. Have a beautiful day as you are!

I don't even have Export under Payroll settings. How do I get that to appear?

There isnt an Export option under Payroll settings. Does this guide only works with previous online versions of quickbooks? 

Hello, Eric Zheng.

If you’re using Core, Premium or Elite payroll also called standalone payroll, you must have an export option under payroll settings. It possible that you didn't turn on the accounting. 

I suggest reaching out to our Payroll support team. They have the tools to review your account in secure ways and help you with exporting the data.  

Here's how: 

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company.
2. Go to Help (?).
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Enter your concern, then select Let's talk.
5. Choose a way to connect with us:

• Start a chat with a support expert.
• Get a callback from the next available expert.

Please check our support hours to make sure that we can address your concerns on time.

You might want to check out these articles to learn more about exporting payroll data: 

• Export your payroll data into QuickBooks
•  Export into QuickBooks Online or Desktop from Core, Premium, or Elite Standalone Payroll

Also, you can always visit our Help articles page for reference. There, you can read some of our helpful articles that will guide you in your future tasks

It'll always be my pleasure to help if you've got questions other than exporting your data. Use the Reply button below so that I can further assist you. Take care and stay safe!

I already did and they were not able to extra the data for me as well. They are now working in the back end to see if they can locate the information I've needed within the next 24 hrs. 

There was no option to turn on the "accounting" as you suggested. 

Eric Zheng

Hi Ailene. Im trying to export my IFF file and i don't see an export option on my payroll settings. 

Let's manage your payroll accounting settings so you can see the Export option, ccastconcrete.

The accounting must be turned on for you to be able to export. If you're unable to see the option of turning it on, I'll let you contact our QuickBooks Payroll Team. They can do screen-sharing with you and walk you through the process.

Once the accounting is turned on, you can export payroll transactions. This article will guide you through the steps: Export your payroll data into QuickBooks.

I'm only a post away if I can be of additional assistance. I'm always here to keep helping. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week.

I do not have the "Export" option in the Payroll Setting menu. 

I appreciate you reaching out in this thread, Mike471. Let me ensure the Export option from Payroll settings is visible.

Beforehand, may I know if you've migrated from another QuickBooks program to QuickBooks Online Payroll? If so, what QBO payroll subscription you're currently using? Any additional information on your concern would greatly help us and ensure we've got accurate resolutions for you.

With QuickBooks, managing your payroll and accounting preferences must be best handled by the Primary Admin of the account. Please ensure you've signed in as the primary admin and further review if this option is available. 

If the issue persists, I'd suggest contacting our Customer Care Team. They have the necessary tools to review your account and perform real-time assistance so you'll able to export your payroll data.

Here's how to reach them:

1. In your QBO account, go to Help and select Contact Us.
2. Enter the description of your concern and click Let's Talk.
3. Choose either Start a chat or Get a callback from our representatives.

For your exporting preference, I've included this guide to help you export paychecks, tax, and contractor payments: Export your payroll data into QuickBooks. You can also run payroll reports to review your business finances and other financial data.

We'll be around in this forum if you have additional questions about exporting data in QBO. You can always leave them in the comments below. Keep safe!

When I click on payroll settings there is no pencil nor is there an export button. Any suggestions?

I do not have an export button either.

I am using the Core Essentials payroll subscription and there is no export tab.

The Community is delighted to have you here, barowe01. We're honored that you've chosen our forum to inquire regarding the Export tab in your QuickBooks Online Payroll. 

We understand how time-consuming it is to experience difficulties in performing any task you want to achieve within your program. Please be advised that the Export option is exclusively available for QuickBooks Payroll's standalone version. Thus, this feature is unavailable within the program if you have a QuickBooks Online Payroll edition. If not, it would be best to contact our Support Team to investigate your account why the option went missing on your end. Here's how:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account, then click the Help (?) icon.
2. Type your concern. Hit the Let's talk option.
3. Choose Contact Us to connect with a live support agent.
4. Select Start a chat with a support expert or Get a callback from the next available expert.

Moreover, you can look for a third-party app that you may utilize in exporting payroll info as a workaround.

You'll want to view this article that you can use in handling your data or payroll transactions moving forward: Export your payroll data into QuickBooks. Besides, you can also access payroll statements by running payroll reports in your account.

It's our pleasure to provide you with any information you need, barowe01. You're always welcome to get in touch with us anytime if you have further clarifications. Simply comment down below or post in the Community space again. Keep safe, and have a nice day ahead!

I have been hunting for the export under the payroll settings but am unable to locate anything except exports of accounting lists etc. to excel.  Is it possible that my client, who briefly subscribed to QB simple online accounting, somehow triggered a setup that does not show the feature to export payroll to an iif file?  HELP!

Hey there, @Goose406.

Thanks for joining the thread and sharing your concerns with us. I'm here to assist you with exporting your payroll data from QuickBooks Online (QBO).

The reason you can't find the export option in Payroll settings is that your client is subscribed to a QBO account. Please note that this feature is only available for standalone payroll accounts. Since your payroll data is already linked to your QBO account, you can export your files from your payroll reports instead.

Here's how:
 

1. Go to the Reports menu and select Reports.
2. Search and open any payroll reports.
3. Click the Export drop-down list and choose Export to Excel.

In addition, you can customize reports in the program to have a better view of your business. 

If you have any other questions apart from exporting your payroll info, feel free to ask. Just use the Reply button below, and I'll be happy to assist you. Take care and stay safe!