Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online

Note: You have 60 days from the time you create your QuickBooks Online account to move your data. If you’re not sure how old your company is, sign in to QuickBooks Online. Then, refresh this page for personalized info.

• Make sure QuickBooks is up-to-date.
• Make sure your company file isn’t too big to export.
  • The total targets need to be less than 750,000 for it to be converted to QuickBooks Online. Press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard to check. If it’s more than said number, you have the option to either import lists and balances into QBO or start fresh.
  • Learn what does and doesn’t move to QuickBooks online.
• Print a copy of your Sales Tax Liability report. You'll need it to enter adjustment entries after your move.
  1. Go to Reports, then select Vendors & Payables. Select Sales Tax Liability.
  2. From the Dates▼ dropdown, select All.
  3. From the Print▼ dropdown, select Save as PDF.
  4. Choose the folder you want to save it in, name the file, and select Save.
• If you use QuickBooks Desktop Payroll:
  1. Make sure to terminate or deactivate any employees that are no longer working for you and haven't been paid in the current year.
  2. Make sure to wait 2-3 days after you've run payroll to move your data. This will insure all your paycheck info transfers over to QuickBooks Online. Then make sure to move your data before your next payroll.

Note: If your QuickBooks version is 2020 or older, you can move your data to QuickBooks Online with an online tool.

QuickBooks Desktop Pro or Premier

1. Sign in as an admin.
2. Go to Company, then select Export Your Company File to QuickBooks Online.
3. Select Get started.
4. Sign in as an admin to your QuickBooks Online company.
5. Select Choose online company, and choose the company you want to replace with your company file.
6. Select Continue.
7. If you track inventory in QuickBooks Desktop:
   • Select Yes to bring them over, then enter the as-of date.
     Note: Use the first day after your last tax filing period as your inventory start date.
   • Select No if you want to set up new items later in QuickBooks Online.
8. Enter Agree in the text field, then select Replace.
9. Select Yes, go ahead and replace the data, then select Replace.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

Note: If you use advanced features (such as advanced reporting and advanced inventory), start fresh so that all your data will move to QuickBooks Online. If you want to use these features in Enterprise, learn about cloud-enabled QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

1. Sign in as an admin to the desktop company file you want to move.
2. On your keyboard, press Ctrl + 1 to open the Product Information window.
3. Press Ctrl + B + Q, then select OK to display the export window, then select Get started.
4. Sign in as an admin to your QuickBooks Online company.
5. Select Choose online company, then select the company you want to replace with your company file, then select Continue.
6. If you track inventory in QuickBooks Desktop:
   • Select Yes to bring them over, then specify the as of date.
     Note: Use the first day after your last tax filing period as your inventory start date.
   • Select No if you want to set up new items later in QuickBooks Online.
7. Enter “Agree” in the text field, then select Replace.
8. Select Yes, go ahead and replace the data, then select Replace.

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

You can move your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac file to QuickBooks Online. If you encounter issues during the transfer, contact QuickBooks Desktop support for help.

Learn what to do after converting from QuickBooks Desktop for Windows or Mac to QuickBooks Online.

• Connect your bank or credit card account.
• Create and send invoices to your customer.
  Note: If you track sales tax, set up location-based sales tax in QuickBooks first.
• Track your bills and learn how to pay them in QuickBooks.
• If you use payroll, check out this guide to set up and run your payroll in QuickBooks Online.
  Note: To view this, you'll need to sign in to QuickBooks Online.
• Get started with QuickBooks Online.