Switch back to QB desktop after trying QB online for 9 months.

Hi there, dghoa-hb.

The conversion moves most of your data but excludes certain Online-specific features. These include multi-currency details, payroll transactions, estimates, and purchase orders. 

For full details on what converts and what will need to be recreated, refer to these help articles:

• Learn How Features and Data Move From QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop
• Move Your QuickBooks Online Data to QuickBooks Desktop

If you still have a backup copy of your QuickBooks Desktop file from before you switched to QuickBooks Online, you can update and restore that QB file to use again. This avoids starting completely from scratch.

Here are guides on updating your old backup and using it with a new Desktop version:

• Restore a Backup of Your Company File
• Upgrade QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, or Enterprise

Let me know if you need more guidance on the process of migration. I want to make sure you can smoothly transition back to the Desktop using your existing data.

@dghoa-hb-gmail-c 

Which QB Desktop year version do you have?

I was using QB Ppro Plus 2022 before swithching to QB online earlier this year.

I was using QB Pro Plus 2022 before swithcing to QB Online Plus earlier this year.

@dghoa-hb-gmail-c 

Many data type won't be converted (e.g non-posting transactions like estimate and purchase order).

You may need to purchase QB Desktop 2024 Pro Plus but you will need to use the trial version of QB Desktop 2021 Pro to convert data from QB Online. If you are using the trial version of QB Desktop 2022 or a newer version, you will need to purchase a 3rd party service to downgrade your file from Enterprise later.

I would recommend to access your historical data in your old QB Desktop file. Then purchase a 3rd party service to only convert the current fiscal year from QB Online to get a new company file for QB Desktop.

May I have more details about how to update desktop after restoring a file a year old and then moving from back to desk. 
To say it another way, how do I move online (one year) to desktop that already has years of data. 

@RK32 

I would recommend to convert your data from QB Online to QB Desktop, then use the converted file on your QB Desktop going forward. Otherwise, you may have 2 options to merge that 1 year of data to your old QB Desktop file.

1. Use a migration tool. It's a $299 one time license and you can get $100 cashback to purchase it thru a partner.

https://get.transactionpro.com/qbd

2. Purchase a 3rd party merge service.

I'll guide you to move your QuickBooks Online (QBO) data to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), @RK32.

I agree with the suggestion of 4Gal to use a third-party app. In addition to that, you can perform the migration process using your QuickBooks account. Follow along below to get started.

First, ready your QBDT account and make sure to close all the company open. 

Once done, log in to your QBO account using a supported browser and download the migration tool. Here's how:

1. Once done, select the URL and replace the words after /app/ with exportqbodatatoqbdt. It should be like this: https://app.qbo.intuit.com/app/exportqbodatatoqbdt. Then, press the Enter key on your keyboard.
2. You'll be routed to the Export Overview page. From there, click Get Started.
3. Then, select Download tool to download the QuickBooks Desktop migration tool. Once downloaded, launch it, install it, and click Next.
4. Accept the terms in the license agreement and select Next.
5. Select Complete as the type of setup, then Next. Then, click Install and select Finish.

When finished, prepare your file for export and select your QBO data to export:

1. Go back to QBO (you should still be on the Prepare to export window) and select Continue.
2. Next, select the data you want to export and click Continue.
3. Open Learn about the limitations of converting data for QuickBooks Desktop to learn about limitations and select Continue.
4. Input the name and email address you want the migration confirmation email sent to and click Continue.
5. Click Close to go back to your QBO file. Wait for your email confirmation. You'll need to get back to the export screen in QBO. Repeat the steps above to get back to the export page and then click Get Started.
6. On the Prepare to export page, click Continue.
7. From the Select your data page, select the same option you selected previously and click Continue.
8. On the Exporting from QuickBooks Online page, you'll see a message that says you already have a file to download. Select Continue to Download.
9. Click Download QBXML file. If QuickBooks prompts you to save the file, save it to a location easy to find, and select Continue.
10. In QBDT, ensure you're on the No Company Open screen. If you have a company open, go to File and select Close company. See your reports to compare your data before and after the export.

After that, proceed to Step 4: Run the QuickBooks Desktop migration tool of this article to import the file to your QBDT program: Move your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

In case you want to give your team access to your company file so they can perform changes, you can utilize the multi-user feature. For a detailed guide, check this article: Install QuickBooks Desktop on a server.

The Community is always open if you have other questions when migrating your company file. Please don't hesitate to leave a reply below. Have a good one.

I agree. Quickbooks online is terrible! I was completely misled when I signed up for it, and now I feel like I am stuck with it. I lost so much information and functionality when I switched from desktop to online, and my sales person did not warn me that anything like that would happen. Now I fear if I switch back to desktop I will lose even more data than I lost when I originally switched to online. I may just leave Quickbooks all together because of this failure.

@SarahCO 

I may just leave Quickbooks all together because of this failure.

Convert your data tp QB Desktop file format and use the trial version to access your historical data for good. Then you will start from scratch in a new program.