How do i backup Quickbooks online?

QB does it for you several times per day at several undisclosed locations but there is no restore function - you cannot go back and start the day over.

There are apps you can buy that claim to give you control over your own backups but I have no experience with any. Look in the intuit app store.

You could export your entire online to desktop and then "restore" into a new QBO company (full upload of a desktop company to an online company is only available within first 60 days )

Yes, @john-pero is correct. Also, I can provide you more information about backing up QuickBooks Online (QBO), @jr37. 

We value your data security. Because of this, QBO automatically backs your data up in our cloud server every night. We always ensure to keep your data safe and secure. For more details, check out this article: Do I Need To Back Up My Data with QBO?. 

On the other hand, there are two alternative methods you can perform. First, you can export your reports and lists to Excel. This way, you'll be able to save them on your computer at any time. 

The second one is to look for a third-party app that can integrate with the program. Just either go to the Apps menu or through the QuickBooks App Center. Then, enter Backup in the Search box as seen in the screenshot below. Choose the right app for your business so you can start connecting it. For more information, visit this article: Find Apps. 

Furthermore, you can always visit this website: Video Tutorials. It has step-by-step videos to help you efficiently manage your income, expenses, inventory, banking, and QBO account. 

You can reply to this thread if you need anything else. I'll gladly help, @jr37. 

You could export your entire online to desktop and then "restore" into a new QBO company (full upload of a desktop company to an online company is only available within first 60 days )

Thank you!

This is exactly what I need to do. 

How do I

export your entire online to desktop

?

Good morning, @jr37.

I hope you're having a wonderful morning so far. 

If you wish to export your data over to Desktop to create a backup company file, I urge you to see our Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop before completing the task. To clarify, once your data is converted over to the desktop version and you save your back up do you wish to return back to QBO? If so, you'll need to follow these steps in getting back online. 

Let's get started. 

Prepare QuickBooks Desktop

1. You'll need to install QuickBooks Desktop. If you don't have it purchased, you can always install a trial version. 
2.  After you've installed, you'll want to open the program in administrator mode. 

• • Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon and select Run as administrator. 

1. Leave QuickBooks open while you complete the next set of steps. 

Export your data

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer. However, you have to use Internet Explorer to accomplish the conversion. Use this link in Internet Explorer to avoid further issues: 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.  

1. Click the Gear icon and select Export Data.
2. Enter your reason for exporting and hit Continue.
3. In the Moving to QuickBooks Desktop section, click Learn more.
4. In the Download company data section, select Learn more, then Get Started.
5. Tap on Install ActiveX Control Now and follow the steps to install ActiveX.
6. Click Continue when it's finished. 
7. Choose the data you want to export, then hit Continue. 
8. After reviewing the limitations, select Continue. 
9. Enter your contact info and then Continue.

After completing the steps, you'll receive an email when the data is ready. It can take anywhere from 2 hours to 2 minutes. Depending on how many transactions you have in your company. 

Once you've received your email that the data is finished, you'll Finish exporting your data. 

Once all the data has converted, check out Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file for steps on backing up the data in Desktop. 

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns. I'm here to get you back to business every step of the way. You can always count on us here in the Community to lend you a helping hand when you need it. Take care and stay safe. 

---

@Tori B wrote:

Good morning, @jr37.

 

I hope you're having a wonderful morning so far. 

 

If you wish to export your data over to Desktop to create a backup company file, I urge you to see our Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop before completing the task. To clarify, once your data is converted over to the desktop version and you save your back up do you wish to return back to QBO? If so, you'll need to follow these steps in getting back online. 

 

 

---

Please do not make it sound as if a customer loses their QBO company once they export from online to desktop.  You are still collecting their monthly payment and the company is as it was and will continue to be.  If a customer CANCELS their online account then that is a different story.

I'm looking to backup for future audits as I am no longer going to use quickbooks? Any thoughts on this? Thank you in advance.

Thank you for your patronage and for letting QuickBooks be part of your business, @caborocker21.
 

After you cancel your subscription with us, you'll have read-only access to the your QBO for a year, and six months for payroll data. Before canceling, you have the option to manually back up your file through the following options:

• Printed necessary financial and payroll forms and reports you might need in the future.
• Paid any outstanding tax deposits and filed tax forms.
• Make your own arrangements to retain the data after that time.

To print reports:

1. Go to the Reports menu and select the report you want to print or export.
2. Find the report you want to save a copy for, then click to open it.
   
3. Make sure to select the correct dates before running it.
4. When the data is correct, click the Print or Export icons.
   

You may also visit our apps website to find backup tools for your QBO data. Here's the link: https://apps.intuit.com/app/apps/home

We also have another forum called Intuit Developers, where you can find engineers who can recommend third-party backup applications for you to use. In this website, you can connect with people who can help with app integrations, take part in software developments and innovate business tools for QuickBooks. Here's the link to the website: Intuit Developers Community.

I'm leaving this resource guide for other things you need to do before and after canceling an account: Cancel your QuickBooks Online subscription or trial.

I'm always here if you need further assistance with your data management. Wishing you continued success with your journey without us. Have a wonderful day!

@caborocker21 

Export your file to QB Desktop file format. You can utilize the trial license to open it later.

Thank you. That’s what I’d like to do but it seems that it isn’t allowing me to do that with out importing directly into a desktop version that is already downloaded to my desktop 

@caborocker21 

You have QBO US version, correct? Which QB Desktop year version do you run on your machine?

Export your file to QB Desktop file format- How? Where?

Hello, KS2511.

I can share the steps on how you can export the data to QuickBooks Desktop. 

When you plan to convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop, please check out this article first: Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

Once you decided to go through with the process, our next step is to download the QuickBooks Desktop program.

Here's how:

1. If you haven't already, download and install QuickBooks Desktop on your computer.  If you don't have a license to QuickBooks Desktop, you can download the QuickBooks Desktop File Restoration Tool for this process.
2. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Go to File > Close Company. Leave QuickBooks Desktop open while you complete the rest of the steps.

Next, sign in to your QuickBooks Online account and download the migration tool by following these steps:

1. Sign in to the QuickBooks Online account you want to convert using a supported web browser.  Use your Intuit Account credentials.
2. Select the URL and replace anything after /app/ with exportqbodatatoqbdt.  The URL should say https://app.qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt. Then click Enter on your keyboard.  Other support task links won't work during this process.
3. You'll see an Export Overview Window.  Read the Export Overview. You can print out it if you'd like. Click Get Started.
4. Select Download tool to download the QuickBooks Desktop migration tool.
5. Once you download the tool, launch the tool to install it and hit Next.
6. Accept the terms in the license agreement and select Next.
7. Click Complete as the type of setup, then Next.
8. Hit Install, and then Finish.

After instructions, you can follow Steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 in this article: Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

To learn more on how QuickBooks Desktop works, please feel free to read this guide: Get started with QuickBooks Desktop.

Please let me know in your reply if you require additional information about the process or other concerns. I'll be right here to help. Take care!

 I need help to make a back up of my QBO on a USB disk

@ GS15021947 

There is no concept of "file" in any cloud based app. You can export your data to XLS file formats, convert to a QB Desktop file, or utilize a backup restore app.

https://rewindio.grsm.io/quickbooks

You can also purchase a 3rd party service to convert your QBO to another brand if required.

I'm here to help you with creating a backup of your QBO file and saving it to your USB disk, @GS15021947. 

You can follow the steps provided by RaymondJayO above. Also, Fiat Lux - ASIA is right. You can export your reports and lists to an excel file, save them on your computer, and copy it to your USB disk.

Here's how to export your reports and lists into individual Excel files:

1. Go to the Gear icon (⚙) and select Export Data.
2. On the Reports tab, set the date range.
3. Add or remove items from the Reports and Lists tabs by toggling the slider.
4. Click on Export to Excel.

After saving it to your computer, move or copy it to your USB disk. Refer to this article for more information on how to get a copy of your data from QBO: Export reports, lists, and other data from QuickBooks Online.

You can also look or search for a third-party app that can integrate with QuickBooks Online (QBO) that'll help you create a backup copy of your QBO file.

Just either go to the Apps menu or through the QuickBooks App Center. Then, enter Backup in the Search box. For more information, visit this article to guide you in finding a supported app and integrating it into your account: Find Apps. 

Let me know if you need further help creating a backup of your QBO and saving it on your USB disk by leaving a reply below. I'm always here to assist. Have a great rest of the day!

After you do the backup for QBO to a desktop can you still use the on-line version?

Let me chime in on this thread and provide you with some information about backing up files, @ACCJAC01,

Yes, after backing up from QuickBooks Online (QBO) to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), you can still access the online version as long as the subscription is active. 

However, if you have canceled your subscription or it's about to expire, you still have read-only access to your QBO data for one year.

Kindly refer to this article for detailed information: What happens to my QuickBooks Online data after I cancel?

I'll also add this article you can read if you want to find out how your books will move from QBO to QBDT: Learn how features and data move from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to leave a reply if you require further information about backing up your file. The Community team always has your back. Have a great one!

I am having issues setting up backup on the Desktop.  Is there anyone I can reach out to get the backups started.

Thank you 

Hopping into this thread to assist you with backing up your company file, @Dmills1960.

Before anything else, do you happen to encounter an error message when backing your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) company? This way, I can provide the appropriate solution to get you back to business in no time.

In the meantime, we can utilize the Verify and Rebuild data utilities. That way, we can verify and correct your company file's most typical data errors. Please make sure your QuickBooks Desktop is up to date as well.

Here's how:

1. Go to Window, then Close All.
2. From the File menu, click Utilities.
3. Select Rebuild Data.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to back up your data.
5. When the tool finishes, select OK.
6. Go to the File menu, then click Utilities.
7. Click Verify Data, then choose Rebuild Now once QuickBooks finds an issue with your company file.

I'm adding this article for reference: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, re-back up your accounting data to save this in case you run into problems. Then, restore this whenever you need it to.

If you acquire further assistance with QuickBooks, you can always drop by and post them here. Stay safe!