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armour248
Level 2

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

 
8 Comments 8
JaneD
Moderator

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

Hi armour248,

 

The master file is currently unavailable since there are some limitations when converting your QuickBooks Online (QBO) data to QuickBooks Desktop. You'll want to make sure not to skip any of the steps, so you'll be able to export your data smoothly.

 

In this article, you can learn more about what does and doesn't export from QBO to QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Take a moment to learn about the basics by checking out this link: Get started with QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Let us know if you have further questions. We'll be here to keep helping.

armour248
Level 2

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

Thanks. Is there a good explanation page on importing everything into QuickBooks Desktop? This seems far more difficult than it should be and honestly I may just move to another provider at this point. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to export one file and then import it into the desktop version.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

Tori B
QuickBooks Team

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

Hey there, @armour248.

 

I'm happy to assist you with converting your Online File to Desktop.

 

Before you get started, check out the limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop. This link will let you know what can and can't be imported over.  Also, when you attempt to click the Gear Icon it will likely disappear. The reason is that Microsoft is no longer supporting Internet Explorer and has caused some issues with our export process. We are committed to assisting you and have found a way to get your data with this issue. Once you're logged into your QuickBooks Online, you'll need to paste the link provided below into the URL and hit Enter. This will take you to the correct page to export your data starting at Step 3: Prepare to export your QuickBooks Online data.

 

Use this link: https://c9.qbo.intuit.com/app/exportquickbooksdesktop 

 

Note: If you don't use the link provided, when you attempt to convert the gear icon will disappear.

 

Now that you have checked out the limitations, you're ready to get started.

 

Step 1: Set up security settings in Internet Explorer

This gets you ready for a more seamless transfer.

  1. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon and select Run as administrator.
  2. Select the Tools ⚙ icon, then Internet Options.
  3. Select Security, then Trusted Sites.
  4. Select Sites.
  5. In the Add this website to the zone field, enter: *.intuit.com.
  6. Make sure Require server verification (https: ) for all sites in this zone is unchecked.
  7. Close the Trusted Sites window.
  8. Make sure Enable Protected Mode is unchecked.
  9. Select Apply, then Okay. Leave Internet Explorer open.

Step 2: Set up QuickBooks Desktop for the export

  1. Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon and select Run as administrator. If QuickBooks Desktop isn't installed, you can download a trial to use for this process.
  2. Go to File and select Close Company.
  3. Leave QuickBooks Desktop open while you complete the rest of the steps.

Step 3: Prepare to export your QuickBooks Online data

  1. In QuickBooks Online, go to the Settings ⚙ icon and select Export Data.
  2. Enter your reason for exporting and select Continue.
  3. In the Moving to QuickBooks Desktop section, select Learn more.
  4. In the Download company data section, select Learn more
  5. Select Get started.
  6. Select Install ActiveX Control Now and follow the steps to install ActiveX.
  7. When it's finished, select Continue.
  8. Select the data you want to export and then select Continue.
  9. Review the limitations and select Continue.
  10. Enter your contact info and then Continue.

Next, you'll get an email when your data is ready. This usually takes a few minutes, but it may take up to 2 hours for companies with many transactions.

 

Step 4: Finish exporting your data

You need to repeat a few steps to get back to the export page.

  1. In QuickBooks Online, go to the Settings ⚙ icon and select Export Data. Then, repeat steps 2 through 5 above.
  2. On the Exporting from QuickBooks Online page, select Continue to download.
  3. In QuickBooks Desktop, make sure you're on the No Company Open screen. If you have a company open, go to File and select Close company.
  4. Back in QuickBooks Online, select Download.
  5. In the Save your company file window, select a location to save the File. Pick a place other than your Windows Desktop.
  6. When the download finishes, select Convert Now.
  7. In the Create a new QuickBooks file window, give the File a name and select a location to save it in. Pick a place on your local computer and not a network or external drive.
  8. After the export is completed, select Finished.

Important: It may take some time for this process to finish. Even if it looks like it's frozen, it doesn't mean the export has failed. Give it a few minutes, and the progress bar will move again. 

 

If your still having issues, I recommend contacting support as they have tools that can help to resolve the conversion. 

 

Feel free to reach back out if you have any more questions or concerns. Thank you, and have a wonderful day ahead!

 

 

 

armour248
Level 2

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

I followed the instructions to export my data...but when I use Internet Explorer (which is apparently required...wtf?) and click the settings button, the settings button literally disappears and nothing happens.  The little wrench/settings icon thing just goes away.  I can go through the process in Chrome/Firefox but of course it tells me that I must use IE.  Kind of difficult to go through this process when I can't even get to the export data screen...

Emily M
QuickBooks Team

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

Thanks for reaching back out, @armour248.

 

I’m happy to help you import your data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop. Our engineers are aware of this issue and are working hard to get this resolved. What is happening is that Internet Explorer is no longer supported by QuickBooks. 

 

There is a workaround for this issue.  

 

You’ll need to follow this link below:

 

http://qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt

 

I recommend you Copy and Paste the link into a browser from Internet Explorer.

 

Should you have any additional questions, feel free to comment below.

armour248
Level 2

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

This still has not been solved.  I spent over an hour with a customer service/tech representative and we couldn't export the data due to IE not working with QuickBooks Online.  I contacted some sort of ICU Status team five days ago and haven't heard a word.  This is ridiculous and quite possibly in the top 10 of worst customer service/product performance issues I've ever seen.  I should've known this would be a mess as soon as I saw that Internet Explorer was required.  Fortunately I can just return my purchase to Costco and cancel QuickBooks Online.  

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Going from Online to Desktop Pro. I exported my XLS files from Online. Why is it so difficult to transition over to Desktop? Importing seems impossible. No master file???

@armour248 

You may have 2 options as alternative:

1. Utilize the migration tool (i.e exporter for QBO and importer for QBD)

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbo

https://partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

 

2. Should you need to resolve it in due course, purchase a 3rd party migration service. I noticed their cost is $450 with 2 working days.

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