Space for pervasive banner when authenticated
Move your lists from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
Learn how to export your customers, vendors, products and services, and chart of accounts, then import them into QuickBooks Online.
You don't have to type your lists into QuickBooks Online by hand. Export them from QuickBooks Desktop or from another QuickBooks Online company, then import them with an Excel or CSV file. This moves your lists only, not your transactions.
When to use this article:
You want a fresh start in QuickBooks Online with your lists but not your transaction history.
Your QuickBooks Desktop file is too large to import, even after you condense it.
You're copying lists from one QuickBooks Online company to another.
To import bank transactions, connect your bank account to QuickBooks Online. It’ll download and sort the transactions for you.
Note: The Products and services page isn't available in QuickBooks Ledger.
Step 1: Export your lists
Pick where your lists are today.
From QuickBooks Desktop
In QuickBooks Desktop, go to Reports, then select List.
Open the list you want to move:
Account Listing
Customer Contact List
Vendor Contact List
Item Listing
Select the Excel ▼ dropdown on the report toolbar, then select Create New Worksheet.
Select Export to create a .csv file.
Enter a file name, then select Save.
Open the file. Delete any blank rows at the top so your column headers sit on row 1.
Save your changes.
From another QuickBooks Online company
Sign in to QuickBooks Online as a primary or company admin.
Go to Reports, then Standard reports.
Find and open the report you need. Enter its name in the search bar, or pick it from the ▼ dropdown:
Account List
Customer Contact List
Vendor Contact List
Product/Service List
Select Customize, then select the Columns ▼ dropdown.
Check or uncheck column headers to add or remove columns, and drag them to match the order in the table below.
Select Apply changes, then Save As.
Select the Export icon, then select Export to Excel or Export as CSV. Note: On a Mac, choose Windows CSV format.
Open the file from your browser's Downloads folder. Remove the header rows (company name and report title) so your column headers sit on row 1, then save.
Step 2: Get your files ready
Two things make your import successful:
Import your chart of accounts first. Your products and services need to map to income and expense accounts that already exist. If you import items before accounts, the import fails.
Match the column layout. Compare your file with the table above. Want to check your work? Download a sample file and line yours up with it:
Required columns, in order
| List | Recommended columns, left to right |
|---|---|
| 1. Account List | Account #, Type, Detail Type, Description, Balance |
| 2. Customer Contact List | Customer, Company, Email, Phone, Website, Bill Street, Bill City, Bill State, Bill Zip, Bill Country |
| 3. Vendor Contact List | Vendor, Company Name, Email, Phone, Website, Street, City, State, Zip, Country |
| 4. Product/Service List | Product/Service, Type, Memo/Description, Sales Price, Purchase Price, Cost, Qty on hand |
Step 3: Import your lists into QuickBooks Online
Sign in to your new QuickBooks Online company as a primary or company admin, then import in this order. Each guide walks you through mapping your columns to QuickBooks Online fields:
Fix common import errors
"This item is already in your company"
QuickBooks Online creates a few items on its own, such as Hours and Services. If your file has items with the same names, you'll get this message. Uncheck those rows in the import window. Everything else imports fine.
"Account does not exist" or a mapping error
An item in your file points to an income or expense account that isn't in your chart of accounts yet. Cancel the import, then either import your chart of accounts first or add the missing account by hand. Then import your items again.
Sign in now for personalized help
See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.
Call Sales: 1-800-365-9606
