Changing thousands of inventory items to Non inventory in QB Desktop

One an item is created as an inventory item, you can't change the item type, either directly in QuickBooks or using import.

So, if your client is unwilling to hide the inventory items and create new ones, you're rather stuck.

Thank you. Interesting an agent told us we could do the export and import. I suppose the import will work if we start a new database.

Yes, you could import the list using a different type into a different file.

@Locklearm 

If you are not familiar with IIF, you can utilize a 3rd party migration tool

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbd

https://partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

Thanks Fiat, I have used IIF but think using a tool would be helpful. It is my understanding at this point, we cannot export the items and change them to a noninventory and then upload them. Honestly, the client has not used the full features of inventory in QB but rather made JE's for a # of years.

I think it is best to either start a new database or they will need to do the changes one by one.  I just can't see an export and import working as a beautiful thing as it will alter historical data at the very least.

Hi everyone 

what if we exported and copied and pasted the names (with a change in the name) and made these names Non Inventory. Do you think this would work?

Thanks for your time posting in the Community, @Locklearm. 

Yes! You can export the item list to an Excel spreadsheet and edit it instead. Let me show you how:

1. Go to the File menu at the top.
2. On the drop-down, pick Utilities, Export, and IIF Files.

3. Choose the Item List on the Export window, then OK.

Once done, right-click the exported file, select Open With, and then Microsoft Excel. Make the necessary changes and save. 

You can check out this article to learn more about editing items in QuickBooks: Add, edit, and delete items. 

For additional information, check out this article for further guidance: Tasks you can do with IIF files.

Please mention me in the comment to let me know how it goes or if you have any follow-up questions. I'm always here to help. Have a great weekend.

I think we are going to EXPORT the items, add a unique Identifier to the name, change to the type we are seeking and import as (new additional items <<<not the technical term) but this might work. We are going to try this in a BU copy of the existing data file to see if it works.

Good morning, @Locklearm. 

Thanks for coming back on this thread. 

Let us know if this works for you and your business. 

I'll be just around the corner when you're ready!