Fix export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop

Learn how to resolve export to Excel issues when exporting data from your QuickBooks Desktop.

If you have Microsoft Excel installed but can't export reports from QuickBooks, here's how you  can fix it.

Note: Use the ‌installed version on your computer. Don’t use the web browser version.

Step 1: Update QuickBooks Desktop

Make sure your QuickBooks version is up-to-date. Then, open QuickBooks and export a report.

1. Go to the Reports menu, and open a report.
2. Select the Excel button.

Step 2: Check QuickBooks system requirements

QuickBooks Desktop works with specific versions of Microsoft Office. Check the system requirements for your version of QuickBooks:

• QuickBooks Desktop 2022
• QuickBooks Desktop 2023
• QuickBooks Desktop 2024

Upgrade your Microsoft Office version if it isn’t compatible. If it is, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Repair Microsoft Office

Excel may not work properly. Restarting it can fix the issue. If that doesn't work, you can repair your Microsoft Office.

Step 4: Toggle Windows User Account Controls (UAC)

You can turn your Windows User Account Control settings on and off. This might fix any problems stopping you from exporting. Here’s how:

1. Go to the  Start menu.
2. On the search bar type User Account Control Settings.
3. Open User Account Control Settings.
4. Move the slider to Never Notify.
5. Select OK, then restart your computer.

Step 5: Reinstall QuickBooks Desktop

Before you install QuickBooks Desktop, Microsoft Office and Excel should be installed first. If you didn’t install Microsoft Office first, uninstall and reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.

Step 6: Make sure  that Microsoft Excel's default file format is .xls

Visit the Microsoft website to find out which file formats Excel supports.

Note: If you still can't export a report, uninstall and reinstall Excel. Or get help with your computer settings from a local computer expert.