Oklahoma state W-2 e-file will not populate the Excel file

Hi there, @spstarks. 

Welcome to the Community. Most reasons why W-2 will not populate in the Excel file is if your payroll tax table isn't updated. 

Let's first check to see if this is the cause. Then, update your payroll tax table to make sure you're it populates on the Excel and e-file it. Here's how:

1. Go to Employees menu, then select Get Payroll Updates. 
2. Check the version of the tax table you have.
3. The first line in the Get Payroll Updates window, "You are using tax table version: #####," lists the tax table version. 
4. Click the Payroll Update Info to see summary information and its changes.

Once confirmed that it isn't updated, follow the steps to download the latest payroll tax table in this help article: Get the latest payroll tax table update. 

You can also update the payroll tax table automatically by turning on the automatic updates in QuickBooks.

Once done, you're should be able to see the Welcome window with its instruction and lets you continue creating W-2. 

For your future reference. Read through: E-file Federal W-2 Forms. It will guide you on how you can file your payroll forms electronically in QuickBooks. 

Keep me posted if you need more help with the process. We're always around here to help you more. 

What happens when you try to use the Excel feature?  Do you get an error message? Something else?

I get the following message every time:  could not connect to Quickbooks, be sure Quickbooks is running and a company file is open.  I have updated my payroll and quickbooks is open, the dates are correct, just never works.  I worked for me last year using Quickbooks Pro 2018, this is 2020.

After trying day after day, suddenly, one day, it worked, wish I knew why.

I have tried and tried and cannot get excel to populate.  First I would get Could not connect to Quickbooks, be sure Quickbooks is running and a company file is open, then today I tried it and got The Quickbooks text file engine was not able to create an output fille.  Now what???

Hi there, @christyhicks.

Let's make sure that the Microsoft Excel add-ins on your end are active. Allow me to walk you through how to do so do it.

Here's how:

1. Open the Excel program on your device.
2. Go to the File tab.
3. Click the Quick Access Toolbar drop-down menu from the upper left portion of your screen.
4. Choose More Commands.
5. Select Add-Ins.
6. Click the drop-down arrow in the Manage box. 
7. Select Excel Add-Ins.
8. Click the Go button. 
9. Hit the Browse button in the Add-Ins Available window to locate your State W2 file.   
10. Click Ok. 

If you can't locate the Add-Ins that you want to activate, there would be a need for you to install the Add-Ins. Once completed, you'll see the newly activated add-ins listed under the Active Application Add-ins tab. 

Keep me posted if you have other questions about creating and e-filling your State W2. 

Please know that the Community has your back should you have any other questions. We're always here to help. Wishing you and your business continued success. 

I am having the same issue with oregon.

Did you resolve the issue, if so how do I fix it?

Hi there, ShannonH1.

I'm here to make sure you'll be able to generate an excel file to upload your W2's in QuickBooks Desktop. 

Let's make sure to update your QuickBooks software and re-download the latest tax table. That way, your tax forms and information will also sync seamlessly.

To update your QuickBooks to the latest released version, here's how:

1. Select the Help menu.
2. Choose Update QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Click the Update Now button from the Overview tab.
4. Pick the Get Updates button.
5. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.

For step-by-step instructions, you can read through this article: Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.

Additionally, here are some articles that will help you manage your W2 forms in QuickBooks Desktop: 

• Prepare and print W-2 and W-3 forms
• Editing Amounts on W-2 Forms
• E-file your State W-2s from QuickBooks

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any other concerns or further questions about tax forms. I'm always here to help you.

Thank you for your response

I have done all that and repaired both apps. Still says could not connect to QuickBooks.

Good afternoon, @ShannonH1. 

Thanks for reaching back out to us. 

If none of these steps worked, then I suggest getting in touch with our Customer Support Team. They'll be able to give you some additional instructions and check a few things on their end. Here's how: 

1. Go to the Help menu. 
2. Choose the QuickBooks Desktop Help option. 
3. Click the Contact Us hyperlink. 
4. Give a brief description of the problem and hit Let's talk. 
5. Scroll down and select to Get a callback. 

Its that easy! 

Let me know how it goes. It's my priority that you're able to get back to running your business. Have a great day!