Importing a .qbm fil to QBO

Upgrade your version to QBD 2022 Enterprise or utilize the trial version

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/new-subscriptions/download-trial-quic...

Restore the QBM file and Sign in as an admin to the desktop company file you want to move.
On your keyboard, press Ctrl + 1 to open the Product Information window.
Press Ctrl + B + Q, then select OK to display the export window.
On the export window, select Get started.
Sign in as an admin to your QuickBooks Online company.

https://quickbooks.grsm.io/US

https://quickbooks.grsm.io/us-promo

Select Choose online company, then select the QuickBooks Online company you want to replace with your company file.
Select Continue.
If you track inventory in QuickBooks Desktop, select Yes to bring them over, then specify the as of date. Then, select No if you want to set up new items later in QuickBooks Online.
Enter “Agree” in the text field, then select Replace.
Select Yes, go ahead and replace the data, then click Replace.

I tried that.  I got an error that said that the file was created in Enterprise, and our QBO is Essentials and could not open an Enterprise file.

Thank you for dropping by the Community today, amboyle.

In addition to @Fiat Lux - ASIA answer, let's first restore the portable file before exporting it to the online platform. I'm here to assist you through the process.

Here's how: 

1. Locate the portable company file with the.qbm extension [Your Company File].qbm.
2. Right-click the file and select Copy.
3. Go to your Windows desktop, right-click anywhere and choose Paste.
4. Open QuickBooks but do not launch your company file.
5. Select Opening or restore an existing file.
6. Choose the Restore a portable file option.
7.  Navigate to your computer and open the portable company file you copied and pasted to your Windows desktop.

You're good to go if you can open the copied portable company file. Check out the following resource for more information on the troubleshooting steps: Fix portable company file issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

Before you migrate your QBDT data to QBO, prepare your desktop file and ensure that the company file is not too large to export. This way, the data migration goes smoothly.

Aside from that, some features and data will not be transferred from the desktop program to the online platform.  Click here for the full details.

When you're ready, proceed with the steps outlined in this article: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online. Once completed, compare the following reports in QBO and QBDT to ensure that your data was successfully copied:

• Profit and Loss standard
• Balance Sheet standard

You can use this reference to learn more about what to do after switching from the desktop program to the online version. Furthermore, the following links provide all of the information you need to become acquainted with the tasks and features of QBO:

• Getting started 
• Online tutorials

If you have any clarifications or questions about migrating your QBDT to QBO, click the Reply button and leave your comments. I'll get back to you as soon as possible and make sure you're taken care of. Have a wonderful day.

Thank you.  The .qbm file was created in a newer version of QB Desktop than what I have, so I'm not able to open it that way.

You are using QBD 2020 Enterprise, correct?

Have you installed  QBD 2022 Enterprise on your machine?

Yes, I tried it using the 2022 trial version of Enterprise.  I got an error that only another version of Enterprise could open the file.  Since our online version is Essentials, it would not import the file.

Are you sure you are using the QBD US version? Install trial version for QBD CA version to be sure.

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-ca/help-article/new-subscriptions/download-trial-quic...

If you can restore the file on QBD CA version, you have to open QBO CA version to convert the data.

https://quickbooks.grsm.io/Canada

Otherwise, you have to purchase a 3rd party service to convert data from QBD CA to QBO US.

Hello, amboyle.

That is correct. If you open or create a company file in a newer version of QuickBooks Desktop, you cannot open it in an older version. My colleague Rasa-LilaM advised you to first restore your file and Fiat's recommendation to use the free trial version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise 2022 can help you successfully import the file to QuickBooks Online.

I appreciate for taking the time to follow the steps to import your .qbm to QuickBooks Online. I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Desktop Support. They have the tools to check some details of your file before importing it into QuickBooks Online.

Here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Click Contact Us.
4. Give a brief description of your issue.
5. Hit Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.

You can also look for any third-party service capable of converting your data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

I've also added this article in case you'll want to upgrade from Essentials to Plus subscription for future reference: Upgrade or downgrade your QuickBooks Online subscription.

You're welcome to add any details below if you need further assistance importing your data. We're always available to help you.