Move from Quickbooks Online to Desktop (Windows & Mac) - Problems Encountered & Solutions

Thank you for taking the time to post this.

THANK YOU!  There's no way I would've gotten this done without your instructions #1 and 2. So happy I'm back on Desktop, but my numbers are off.  Tried a P&L from 2018 and 2019 and they're off somewhere in COGS and Expenses.  Bank account is off a little bit, but not much.  Any ideas about where to look first?

Hello there, ckovach.

I'm here to provide you ideas when moving your data from Online to Desktop version of QuickBooks. When converting data, some transactions may not be moved due to export limitations. This may be the reason why there's a bit off of your bank account.

After exporting your data, we suggest running 2 reports in both Online and Desktop to make sure data was transferred correctly. We can pull up the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss reports. We'll have to run these reports on both Accrual basis and for All Dates to make sure numbers matches in both programs.

We can use these articles to learn more about converting your company file:

• Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop.
• Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

Let me know if you need anything else. I'm always around whenever you need help. Have a good day!

There's a problem with the instructions. I'm trying to convert QBO on IE Windows to use on my Mac QBD. I don't own a copy of QBD for windows. Your instructions require QBD windows open while downloading, which would require purchasing QBD for windows.

What am I missing?

Why is this so difficult? Why can't Quickbooks just make a simple QBO download file to use on windows or mac?

You don't need to purchase QuickBooks Desktop, charletonc.

When converting from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks for Mac, you'll need to use a Windows company file. Instead of purchasing QuickBooks Desktop, you can use our sample file.

Just a heads up, your QuickBooks Desktop file must be the same version of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Then, export your QuickBooks Online data to Desktop.

Afterward, you're good to convert the Windows file to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Feel free to tag my name in your Reply if you still need my help!

We've created an App to enable you to export your QuickBooks Online data to either QuickBooks Windows or QuickBooks Mac.  Go to apps.intuit.com and search for ExportMyBooks.

Currently we are running it free of charge in order to build up reviews. If you need any assistance just reply here on the thread and I'll help you out. 

Safety of your data is our primary concern. No Apps in the Intuit App Store (including our own) receive PII information from your company (SSN, Credit Cards, and other encrypted information). Listing in the app store requires going through Intuit’s extensive vetting process and continuing reviews. All company file data in our system is automatically deleted after 30 days.

You can read more about the Intuit app store data access rules here: https://appcenter.intuit.com/cmsimages/promo/intuit_app_data_sharing/dynamicDataSharing/DataSharingF...

Yes, unfortunately that is probably an issue for most. I was lucky in that a family friend of mine had QBD for Windows, so I was able to complete those steps using his computer.

However, now I see there is an app called "ExportMyBooks" that apparently does the export without the need for QBD Windows.....ugh, wish I had known about that a month ago!!! #$#@!!

Good luck!

An app shouldn't need to be purchased.

Quickbooks Discontinued support for Internet Explorer 11 and old Safari versions.  Now, What internet brower is needed to move Quickbooks online to Desktop using QBO exportdata ?  

Hello, @H2Q2.

You can use the QuickBooks Desktop Trial version so you'd be able to convert your company file. Currently, you can initiate the exporting process using Internet Explorer 11 or higher version. Let's first configure the security settings of your Internet Explorer then set it in administrative mode.

1. Right-click the Internet Explorer icon and select Run as administrator.
2. Go to the Tools ⚙ icon, then Internet Options.
3. Choose Security, then Trusted Sites.
4. Pick Sites.
5. From the Add this website to the zone field, enter *.intuit.com and *.qbo.intuit.com.
6. Make sure Require server verification (https: ) for all sites in this zone is unchecked.
7. Close the Trusted Sites window.
8. Make sure Enable Protected Mode is unchecked.
9. Select Apply, then Okay.
10.  Leave Internet Explorer open.

Now, let's download the QuickBooks Desktop Trial version. Just make sure that it is the same version or earlier than QBDT for Mac. It already has the license and product numbers you can enter upon installing the sample file.

Once completed, you can use this link to start the exporting process: http://qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt. 

You can refer to this article for more step-by-step instructions in converting your QBO file to QuickBooks Mac: Export data file from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks for Mac.

Also, I've got these articles that you can use as a reference about the conversion process:

• Limitations when you convert from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop
• FAQs about converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

Let me know if you have other questions about managing your company file. I'm just a few posts away.

I used to move company files from Quickbooks online to Desktop, fairly often, no problems.  now when I login to QBO with internet exporer 11, there's no data, no company information pulls up.  

I'll help you log in, H2Q2.

Let's ensure you're using the correct credentials. Then, you can export your QuickBooks Online data to Desktop.

Although, if there's still no data, I'd suggest reaching out to our customer care support. This way, an agent can investigate this further. Here's how:

1. Click Help inside QuickBooks Online.
2. Select Contact Us.
3. Enter "No data when logging in" in the description field, then click Let's talk.
4. Select either Start messaging or Get a callback.

If you have other concerns, you're always welcome to post in the Community.

I am not anywhere near an IT expert, so maybe I am missing a few things...

1. How do you get IE on a Mac? I cannot find a downloadable app for this.

2. How do you get the QB Desktop for Windows (seemingly needed to complete conversion) on a Mac?

Like I said, I am a little ignorant on most of these subjects, but the reason that I need the QB for Mac is because, well, I use a MAC. I do not have access to a PC for this.

Any help would be appreciated!

Good day, christiemares.

I will break your question down a bit so we can make sure we are covering everything and make sure we get you the answers you are looking for.

For your first question, launching Internet Explorer on Mac isn’t possible. However, you can use any other third-party browser available on macOS as an alternative.

Moving on to your next question, I'll s how you how to convert your QB Desktop for Windows company file to a Mac:

1. Update QuickBooks Desktop for Windows to the latest release.
2. Open the company file in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.
3. Re-sort lists.
4. Rebuild and Verify your company file data.
5. Create a copy of the company file.
   1. Click the File menu.
   2. Choose Utilities.
   3. Select Copy Company File for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
   4. Save the file on a separate file/folder location with the extension MAC.qbb.
6. Restore the file using QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
   1. In the No Company Open window, choose Browse.
   2. Search for the file you want to restore.
   3. If the file is coming from an external drive, create a copy on your device.
   4. QuickBooks will ask if you want to restore a QuickBooks Desktop for Windows file. Choose OK.
   5. Type in a name for the restored.
   6. Click Save.

If you’re still prompted with an error while trying to import the company file, let’s restore a backup (.dmg) in QuickBooks Mac.

The complete instructions about converting the Windows file to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac can be found in this article.

I'll leave you with a guide to know anything about QuickBooks Desktop for Mac: QuickBooks Desktop Mac 2020 User’s Guide.

If you have additional questions or concerns, just leave me a comment below. I’ll be happy to help you out.

@christiemares 

You will need a Windows machine or running QBD Windows on Parallels to convert your QBO data to QBD Mac file. If you still hit the wall, consider purchasing a 3rd party conversion service. Check our profile name and send your business email address in a private message to us.

AdrianA,

I have logged onto my Quickbooks account using a PC.  In IE, I login to my QBO account and my 10 companies pop up.   Then when I click on one of them - nothing.  Blank screen.  I've tried it on 2 different PCs.

Please help

Welcome to the Community, @RBQSCKS. I want to help you get past this issue. 

QuickBooks Online uses cache to load the page faster. However, when it becomes full, it behaves poorly or gives you a blank scrreen. 

Let's use a private window to determine a browser-related problem. You can follow these keyboard shortcut keys below:

•  For Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N.
• For Microsoft Edge or Firefox, press Ctrl + Shift + P.
• For Safari, hold down Command + Shift + N.

If it works, go back to your main browser and clear its cache and cookies to fix the issue. Once done, restart your browser.

Otherwise, try using other supported browsers like Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge.

Let me know if you need further assistance in resolving the error you've encountered. I’m always glad to help in any way I can. Take care!

@RBQSCKS 

For your additional reference

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/account-management/trying-to-export-online-back-to...

@KMGSoftware  a sincere note of gratitude for taking the time to post this information. It solved the issues I was encountering as well. Thank you, thank you!!! I really appreciate it.

I got to the second part of Online - downloading the file, which it did.  The icon download looked empty, which I wondered about.  Then I got an error message when I tried to open in the migration tool.

Any ideas?  I've tried starting over but the second download didn't work either.

I'm here to ensure you're able to export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop, @rmcleod.

Before anything else, may I know what error did you received when trying to open the migration tool? I appreciate any extra information you can give and it will help us isolate the issue.

For now, we can perform some troubleshooting to resolve this issue. Let's make sure that your QuickBooks is updated to the latest release and run as administrator.

Here's how:

1. In the QuickBooks Help menu, choose Update QuickBooks.
2. On the Update QuickBooks window, go to the Update Now tab. You can ignore the table because you don't need to change anything.
3. (Optional) Put a checkmark in the box Reset Update box to erase all previous update downloads. 
4. Click Get Updates.
5. Restart QuickBooks. When prompted, accept the option to install the new release.

If the issue persists, I suggest getting in touch with our support team. They have advanced tools to review your account and help you with the process of converting your data. 

Additionally, here's an article you can check to learn how to move your data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

Feel free to get back to this thread if you have other concerns with managing your data in QuickBooks. I'll be more than happy to help. Have a nice day. 

Thank you for replying.  I found out that the problem is that I have 2016 QB and it is not supported and this won't work in it.  Do you agree with that and is there any assurance that if I buy the latest version that I would be able to do this?

thanks again.

Hello, rmcleod.

Thank you for keeping us updated on your concern. I'll make sure that you can download the file.

Yes, the migration tool will work in QuickBooks Desktop's latest version. You'll have access to payroll services, online banking, and etc.

Older version of QuickBooks, the online backup won't work because it needs to have security updates.

You can check this article for additional information about QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy and upgrade information QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy and upgrade information.

I've also included this article to try and explore our QuickBooks trial links updated versions.

Feel free to reply to this thread if you need help in moving QuickBooks file. I'm always here to help. Take care!

 

@rmcleod 

Utilize the trial license of QBD 2021 to make sure. 

QBO doesn't require IE to export.  I've done it often in Chrome and Mozilla as well as Edge.