Move your QuickBooks Desktop Payroll info to Intuit QuickBooks Workforce (payroll only)

Learn how to import only your payroll info from QuickBooks Desktop Payroll to Intuit QuickBooks Workforce.

You can take advantage of the benefits of QuickBooks Workforce Payroll, QuickBooks Workforce Premium, or QuickBooks Workforce Elite, but still use your QuickBooks Desktop file for accounting if you need. And you don’t have to start over.

Buy a Intuit QuickBooks Workforce (payroll only) subscription. Then move your payroll info from QuickBooks Desktop to Intuit QuickBooks Workforce. 

Here’s how.

Step 1: Buy a Intuit QuickBooks Workforce subscription

You’ll need to purchase a QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite subscription without accounting (payroll only). 

Step 2: Get your QuickBooks Desktop file ready

Make sure your QuickBooks Desktop is up-to-date. You’ll have greater success if you have the following QuickBooks versions and releases or higher: 2021 R16, 2022 R13, 2023 R9, 2024 R4.

1. In QuickBooks, press F2 (or CTRL+1) to open the Product Information window. Check your current version and release.
2. Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release if needed. 
3. Make sure to terminate or deactivate any employees that are no longer working for you and haven't been paid in the current year.
4. 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.

Step 3: Move your QuickBooks Desktop Payroll file to Intuit QuickBooks Workforce

1. Sign in as an admin to the Desktop company file you need to import.
   • QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus or QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus:
     1. Go to Company, then select Export Company File to QuickBooks Online.
     2. Select Get Started to export your data.
     3. Select export all your company data, then Continue.
   • QuickBooks Enterprise:
     1. Select F2 or Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard to open the Product Information window.
     2. Once opened, press and hold CTRL + B + Q on your keyboard, then release.
     3. Select OK. The import workflow will then open.
2. Sign in as an admin to your Intuit QuickBooks Workforce. account. 
3. Select the QuickBooks Online company you want to move your payroll info to. If you have multiple companies, select the one you want from the list.
4. Select Continue. 
5. Select Export. 
6. Once the export completes, sign in to your Intuit QuickBooks Workforce.. 

Check out this guide to finish your set up and run your payroll in QuickBooks Online.