@lee57 

Unfortunately IE is the mandatory tool to convert the data. If you still hit the wall, consider purchasing a 3rd party service or utilize a migration tool. 

So there is a new QB app for this that I have tested on a simple client and it actually works and for a limited time it is FREE.  Going to test it on a client that has sales tax next.  FINGERS CROSSED.

It WON'T let you do it as an accountant user on your client's files.  So I made a new admin user, with another email address, logged in as that user, and was able to add the app that way. 

exportmybooks.com       for more info.

This is the same thing that has happened with my file, as soon as you click the option you want to export to Excel, you can NEVER go back to the previous screen where it asks you where you want to export to.

@ghoguecpa 

Have you visited this reference? 

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/import-or-export-data-files/export-and-convert-you...

Utilize the trial license of QBD 2021 to open the file. You may purchase a one time license of QBD 2021 Pro for 1 user worth $399 or Premier for 1 user worth $499 thru a partner later.

Hi 

We currently use QB Desktop but I'm looking at utilizing a 3rd party app that only allows downloading to QB Online.  Would it be fine to run both and just export my QB online file to my QB Desktop.

Welcome and thanks for posting in the QuickBooks Community, @Cal Tai.

Yes, you can look for a third-party app that will help you export QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online seamlessly. The Intuit Marketplace site is a place where users can find add-on applications that are approved by Intuit. Let me show you how.

1. In your QuickBooks Desktop, go to the Help menu and select App Center: Find More Business Solutions.
2. In the Apps for QuickBooks Desktop Marketplace window, enter a keyword from the field.
3. Then, select the app from the list.

QuickBooks will show lists of supported apps, just select one that matches your business needs. You can also review the product and see its ratings and reviews as well. 

Also, I'm attaching these articles that will help you import your QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online. It also includes steps on how to fix errors upon the conversion:

• Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online
• What to expect when you switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
• How to fix errors when converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

For more resources, check out our Getting Started and Help Articles page. This contains articles that'll help you in achieving your future tasks in QuickBooks Online.

I’ll be around if you need further help converting your file to QBO. I’d be more than happy to work with you. Have a great day ahead.

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@Cal Tai wrote:

We currently use QB Desktop but I'm looking at utilizing a 3rd party app that only allows downloading to QB Online.  Would it be fine to run both and just export my QB online file to my QB Desktop.

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@Cal Tai 

Which 3rd party app?

I see that the last entries in this thread are from Feb 2021. Have any changes been made that make the transfer of QBO to desktop pro any easier?

Thanks!

Thank you for joining the thread, @LaurieL3.

I'd be glad to help you move your data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

First, you'll have to download QuickBooks Desktop on your computer. Then, log in to QBO and download the migration tool.

Let me guide you with the process in Step1:

1. Download a trial to use for this process in case you haven't downloaded/installed QBO yet.
2. Launch QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Click on the File menu. Select Close Company.

Just leave your QBDT open while you continue with Steps 2-6  from this article: Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop

Also, learn more about the limitations of the conversion process.

Hope you can finish the conversion seamlessly. I'm always avaialble to assist you!