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Move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

by Intuit13 Updated 6 months ago

Learn the benefits of QuickBooks Online options to move your QuickBooks Desktop data.

We're talking to QuickBooks Desktop users about QuickBooks Online more, and we want to tell you why.

QuickBooks Online can connect every part of your business and capture data in constant motion. It has a suite of tools and services to help you create streamlined workflows, and turn insights into foresight. Check out all the benefits you get when you move to QuickBooks Online.

Call our sales consultants at 800-730-0605 to get help finding the right solutions for your unique business needs.

Why try QuickBooks Online

We know with the modernized look and feel, you may have to tweak the processes you’ve built around familiar desktop workflows. We understand change can be challenging. 

Our excitement for QuickBooks Online is because there are many benefits enabled by an online platform you can’t get through desktop software.  An online platform gives unmatched flexibility to continually improve to meet business needs.  

Benefits when you use QuickBooks Online:

  • Making it easier to switch
    • Free Assisted Migration1
    • Free Personalized Setup2
    • Annual subscription options
  • Stay on top of your business from anywhere
    • The QuickBooks Online mobile app3 lets you categorize transactions, run reports, and send invoices and estimates directly from your smartphone or tablet, which seamlessly syncs with QuickBooks Online.
    •  Add and manage customers, vendors, and expenses on-the-go.  
    • Snap photos of receipts through the app, and they’ll automatically be matched to transactions.  
    • Track mileage on business trips with the app, and get notifications about paid invoices in real time.  
  • Reduce IT overhead with increased reassurance
    • Get rid of desktop hassles like costly servers or cloud-hosting, self-managed security systems, disruptive updates, and manual backups. 
    • While you maintain ownership of your data, it's stored on world-class servers with the most updated security protocols.4  
    • Data is backed up automatically and redundantly.  
    • Updates happen seamlessly and in real time, so you know you’re always working on the most up-to-date version of the product.
  • One source of truth for your business
    • Tap into the QuickBooks Online ecosystem for services built right into QuickBooks, like Payroll (including HR tools and employee benefits), Payments, Time Tracking, and MailChimp (fees may apply).  
    • With QuickBooks Live, find a QuickBooks-certified bookkeeper who understands your business and does your books for you,
    • Get easier access to business loans to support your business through QuickBooks Capital. 
    • QuickBooks Online connects to thousands of apps to let you centralize your business data and get more work done.5
  • Auto-track and categorize transactions
    • Connect your bank accounts, and QuickBooks Online automatically tracks your income and expenses.  
    • It learns how you like to sort transactions, then auto matches, categorizes, and records transactions for you.
    • This shows where your money is going.
  • Collaborate your way
    • Work across offices, homes, teams, and devices at the same time, with multiple users in QuickBooks Online6
    • Multiple users7 are included in the cost of QuickBooks Online at no extra charge.  
    • Give your accountant real-time access to your books to keep them accurate and up-to-date and get valuable, in-the-moment insights and advice.8

Recent improvements and what's planned for spring 2024:

QuickBooks Online is constantly getting better. If you haven't looked recently, you may want to. See what's new in the last few updates if you haven't looked recently.

New features to help you run your business:

  • Commerce accounting
  • Profit & loss budgets & reporting
  • Project estimates vs. actuals reporting

Features planned for spring 2024:

  • Class tracking for payroll job costing 
  • Commerce operations
  • Enhanced role-based access controls

We’ll help you move to QuickBooks Online

When you choose to move online, we’re here to support you at every step of the way. We’ll set you up for success. There are many ways you can move your data, depending on your needs.

If you need help when you start to use QuickBooks Online, you can talk to a product expert for one hour for free. They’ll help you set everything up and teach you how to use it. Learn how features and data move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online 

You can download the QuickBooks Online app9 that gives you a similar view to QuickBooks desktop with keyboard shortcuts, bookmarks, and you can flip between tabs and windows. 

Watch how to switch from QuickBooks Desktop to Online.

1 Free assisted migration from QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Mac, or Plus (“Desktop”)  to QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, or Advanced (“QuickBooks Online”), or QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Payments, or Time to QuickBooks Online Payroll, Payments, or Time is available to customers who sign up to migrate to QuickBooks Online by July 17, 2024 and subject to capacity. Customers must initiate migration by July 31, 2024.  The offer is eligible to Desktop customers that are migrating their Desktop data to QuickBooks Online. Intuit reserves the right to limit the number of sessions and the length and scope of each session. Results may vary based on business complexity and file size. Terms and conditions, features, support, pricing, and service options subject to change without notice.

2 Free personalized setup from QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Mac, or Plus (“Desktop”) to QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus or Advanced (“QuickBooks Online”), or QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Payments, or Time to QuickBooks Online Payroll, Payments, or Time is available to small business users who sign up by July 17, 2024, and is subject to capacity. Customers must initiate a setup meeting by July 31, 2024. The personalized setup offer is eligible to Desktop customers that are migrating their data, as well as those customers who elect not to migrate their data, who are starting new QuickBooks Online accounts, and setting up QuickBooks Online. Personalized setup is limited to a 1-hour session with a customer success product expert. Intuit reserves the right to limit the number of sessions and the length and scope of each session. Terms and conditions, features, support, pricing, and service options subject to change without notice.

3 QuickBooks Online Mobile: QuickBooks Online requires a computer with a supported Internet browser (see System Requirements for a list of supported browsers) and an Internet connection (a high-speed connection is recommended). The QuickBooks Online mobile app works with iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets. Devices sold separately; data plan required. Not all features are available on the mobile apps and mobile browser. QuickBooks Online mobile access is included with your QuickBooks Online subscription at no additional cost. Data access is subject to cellular/internet provider network availability and occasional downtime due to system and server maintenance and events beyond your control. Product registration required.

4 Security done for you: QuickBooks Online uses technical and administrative security measures such as, but not limited to, firewalls, encryption techniques, and authentication procedures, among others, to work to maintain the security of your online session and information.

5 Third party apps: Apps may require a third-party subscription. Third party applications available on apps.com. Subject to additional terms, conditions, and fees.

6 QuickBooks Online requires a computer with a supported browser (see System Requirements for a list of supported browsers) and an Internet connection (high-speed recommended).

7 Multiple users: User numbers vary based on plan type.

8Live insights from your accountant: Invite up to two accounting professionals, such as your accountant or bookkeeper, to access your data. Once they accept your invitation, they will automatically be signed up for QuickBooks Online Accountant, allowing them to access your data.

9QuickBooks Online app: The QuickBooks Online app for Windows and Mac (app) requires a Windows PC or Mac computer with a supported browser (see System Requirements for a list of supported browsers) and an Internet connection (high-speed recommended). The app is available for QuickBooks Desktop migrators with an active QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, or Advanced subscription. Multiple company tabs allow for simultaneous sign in across multiple company files. Access to each company file sold separately. Terms and conditions, features, support, and services options subject to change without notice.

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