How move data from QB Online to QB Desktop 2020

There's no need for you to create a spreadsheet or an IIF file to transfer your data, gibsd.

You can directly migrate to the Desktop version right away from your QBO account. I'd be glad to guide you through the entire process. 

First, download and install the migration tool. Here's how: 

1. Sign in to the QuickBooks Online account you want to convert using a supported web browser.  
2. Select the URL and replace anything after /app/ with exportqbodatatoqbdt.  The URL should say https://app.qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt. Then press Enter on your keyboard.  Other support task links won't work during this process.
3. You'll see an Export Overview window.  Then, select 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 select Next.
6. Accept the terms in the license agreement and select Next.
7. Click Complete as the type of setup, then Next.
8. Select Install, then click Finish.

Second, prepare your file for export. Here's how:

1. Go back to QuickBooks Online. You should still be on Step 1: Prepare to export window. Select Continue.
2. Choose what data you want to export. You can export all data with transactions or just list and balances. then, select Continue.
3. Select Learn about the limitations of converting data for QuickBooks Desktop to learn about limitations that can impact your migration and click Continue.
4. Enter the name and email address you want the migration confirmation email to be sent to and select Continue.
5. Select Close on the email confirmation screen to go back to your QBO file. Wait for your email confirmation. The email may take some time.  It depends on the amount of data you migrate.
6. You'll need to get back to the export screen in QuickBooks Online. Repeat the previous steps in Step 2 to get back to the export page and select Get Started.
7. Click Continue.
8. On the Select your data page, select the same option you selected previously and select Continue.
9. You'll see a message that says you already have a file to download in the Exporting from QuickBooks Online page. Click Continue to Download.
10.  Select Download QBXML file. If QuickBooks prompts you to save the file, choose a location easy to find, like your desktop and select Continue.
11. 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.  View your reports to compare your data before and after the export.

Lastly, run the migration tool by following these steps: 

1. Make sure QuickBooks Desktop is open at the No Company Open screen.
2. Open the QuickBooks Desktop migration tool app you downloaded from step 2.
3. Enter (or Browse to) the path to the downloaded QBXML file and select Import.
4. Choose a location and name for your new QuickBooks Desktop file.
5. Look for the QuickBooks - Application Certificate.  It may be hidden behind other screens if QuickBooks Desktop is in the background. Select the read/modify rights and if you want to allow personal data access. Select Continue and Done on the confirmation screen.
6. Select Done once your data has been imported successfully.

Check out these articles for more details about moving from QBO to QBDT:

• Export and Convert Your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop
• QuickBooks Desktop Migration Tool FAQs

I'd also like to share one more article as an additional reference about switching platforms: Limitations When You Convert From QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

As always, you can reach out to us anytime you need anything else when working on the software. We're always here to help and offer our guidance again. 

@gibsd 

Do you need to migrate data from QBO US to QBD 2020 US? Try converting your data with the tool mentioned by JenoP. Otherwise consider purchasing a 3rd party service.

Tool worked great.  No problems!

after doing to the exportqbodatatoqbdt after app/

The only message to click on is; 

Export Overview

You can also export reports to Excel to get data out of QuickBooks Online Essentials

Let's make sure that you're able to migrate your data to Desktop, maxcol76.

The Get Started button is located in the lower-right hand corner of that page. Make sure to zoom out or maximize your browser page to 100% to see the entire screen and all available buttons. 

If you can't still see it, switch to a different compatible browser. You can use Chrome, Mozilla, or Microsoft Edge. This is to check if a browser issue is hiding the options to migrate to QBO. You can also follow these keyboard shortcuts to open an incognito/private browsing session just in case you only have one browser:

• Ctrl + Shift + N  for Google Chrome
• Ctrl + Shift + P for Firefox
• Control + Option +P if you're using Safari
• Ctrl + Shift + P for Microsoft Edge

Once done, log back in and check if you can already see the Get Started button. Please see these articles for additional guidance when moving data to QBO:

• Export and Convert Your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop
• QuickBooks Desktop Migration Tool FAQs

I also want to give you this additional reference for more information about switching platforms: Limitations When You Convert From QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

As always, please visit us again and post more questions if you still need more help with QuickBooks. 

Thank you for your reply

I've tried all supported browsers, and incognito mode.  Nothing is visibile below the following text;

Export Overview

You can also export reports to Excel to get data out of QuickBooks Online Essentials

@maxcol76 

Are you using QBO US version? This tool is specific to that region only. You may need to purchase a 3rd party tool or conversion service. 

Thanks for getting back here on the thread, @maxcol76. I'd be happy to take care of your concern so you can proceed to migrate your data from QuickBooks Online (QBO) to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Before resolving your concern, may I ask if the account you use is a US account? Any additional information would is greatly appreciated.

Please be aware that adding export qbodatatoqbdt after the /app/ is only applicable for US regions. If your account is not in the US region, I recommend manually exporting to get your data out of QBO and migrate them to QBDT. I'll outline the steps below on how you can manually export your data.

For accounts, customers, and suppliers, and opening balances. Here's how:

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online.
2. Go to the Reports menu.
3. Search for and open an Account List, Customer Contact List, or Supplier Contact List.
4. On the report, select Customize.
5. Select Rows and Columns and then Change columns.
6. Select and reorder columns. Refer on the the screenshot below to learn what columns to select and their correct order:

Visit this article to for further guidelines on how you can export your data out of QuickBooks Online: Move lists and balances from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, I've got you these articles to learn more about QuickBooks Desktop:

• Getting started with QuickBooks Desktop.
• Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop.

It's my pleasure having you here in the Community, @maxcol76. You're always welcome to post here again if you have any additional QuickBooks-related concerns. Thanks for choosing QuickBooks. Take care and have a nice day!

Hi,  thank you for your reply.

This is a canadian version export to a canadian version

once I type in the correct web adress, i get an empty screen

@maxcol76 

The converter tool only supports QB Desktop US version. If you are using QB Online Canadian version, you have to convert your data gradually to QB Online US version, QB Desktop US version, then QB Desktop Canadian version. You will purchase a 3rd party conversion service to do so. 

okay do you know which 3rd party app would do it?

@maxcol76 

Send me a private message for details.

Thanks for posting here again in the QuickBooks support page, @maxcol76.

In addition to Fiat Lux - ASIA's response, I want to make sure you're able to find a conversion tool that suits your business needs that also works with QuickBooks Desktop. We have an app website that you can visit to review if there's a match for your requirements.

 Here's how to use the site:

1. Click this link to our site: QuickBooks Desktop Apps
2. Tap the app finder field.
3. Enter the keyword "time" or the name of the app you want to connect with QuickBooks.
   

We also have another forum called Intuit Developers, where you can find engineers who can recommend third-party time tracking 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.

Please post here again for updates or if you need further assistance with finding the time tracking app you want. I'll be right here to help you out any time. Have a nice day.

thanks for your reply, it seems i can't find the screenshoot   "Refer on the the screenshot below to learn what columns to select and their correct order"

Thanks for getting back, @maxcol76.

I can see that you’re referring to my colleague KurtKyle_M’s answer about exporting your reports in QuickBooks Online (QBO). With this, I’ll help you with customizing and re-ordering the columns.

My colleague is correct about going to your Reports menu and looking for the report you want to export. To customize, please see the steps below:

1. In the report, please click the Customize button.
2. Scroll down to Rows/Columns. Under Select and reorder columns, check the boxes for the rows and columns you want to include in the report.
3. Change the order of the rows/columns by hovering your mouse over one of them and dragging it up or down
4. Select Run report.
   

Let me know if you have more questions about customizing reports. I’ll get back as soon as I can. Stay safe!