Hello, rjtolsma.
I'm willing to work with you, so we can move your files to QuickBooks Online.
There's no need to purchase QB2020. The error usually comes up when you're using an unsupported QuickBooks Desktop verison (2016 or older).
You'll want to use a 2020 trial version to move your file to QuickBooks Online. Before doing this, you'll want to create a backup copy of your 2016 files.
You can download a copy here: Download a trial of QuickBooks Desktop.
After downloading and installing the trial version, upgrade your company file so you can open it from QuickBooks Desktop 2020.
After opening it, you can use this article to guide you on how to do the import process: Move your QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online.
Note that some data might not convert to QuickBooks Online. Here's a complete list on what to expect after the conversion process: What to expect when you switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.
When you're done moving your data, I'd recommend reading our QuickBooks Online articles. They can teach you the ropes and help you navigate the program. You can view the topics here.
Enjoy your QuickBooks Online experience! Pop back in to the thread if you have other questions or concerns.
