Can only export a report to Excel as CSV

Sending good vibes to you, Al Borland. Let's get these options available for you.

You will only get the Create a comma separated values (.csv) file option when the local Excel installation is damaged. Some of the common reasons for this problem are listed below:

• Excel is not installed on your computer.
• Excel is installed across a network.
• Wrong installation of Excel.

To get this sorted out, as an initial step, updating the QuickBooks Desktop release version is a good start when it comes to fixing exporting-related issues. Here's how:

1. Click Help at the top menu bar and select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to the Update Now tab. Tip: You can select the Reset Update checkbox to clear all previous update downloads.
3. Select Get Updates to start the download.
4. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.
5. Accept the option to install the new release.
   

Once updated, you can go back to your report and see if you're able to select the other three (3) options.

However, if you're still getting the same result, you can go through this article and proceed to Step 2: Fix export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

This should keep you moving today, Al Borland. Don't hesitate to let me know if I can be of additional assistance while working in QuickBooks. I'm always here to keep helping. Have a good one!

Hi, Al Borland.

Hope you're doing great. I wanted to see how everything is going about the other exporting report options. Was it resolved? Do you need any additional help or clarification? If you do, just let me know. I'd be happy to help you at anytime.

Looking forward to your reply. Have a pleasant day ahead!

Hello, I have the same problem but I've been using QB/Excel for years and have been sending files to excel no problem.  All of a sudden I can only send excel files by CVS.  Do you have any advice on  how to correct that?  I have updated both QB & Excel and have restarted my computer.  

Hello, tippykayak. 

I'll make sure that you'll get the option to send the files using excel in QBDT. 

Let's do a couple of solutions to help us fix the problem.

A data integrity issue can cause data damage to your company file. We can use the Verify and Rebuild utility to fix the issue. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to File, then hover on Utilities. 
2. Pick Verify Data.
3. Follow the prompts to proceed with the data verification process.
4. When it's done, go to the Utilities menu again.
5. Select Rebuild Data, then follow the prompts. 

An overview about the Verify and Rebuild process is found here: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop.  

After doing the rebuild process, let's go ahead and send files using excel. 

Another solution is to run and use QuickBooks Tool Hub and then QuickBooks File Doctor to resolve the excel issue. This program is a collection of tools that can help resolve major issues that a user might face while working on the QuickBooks Desktop. For the best experience, we recommend using this on Windows 10, 64-bit. Please follow the steps in this article: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

Keep me updated on how these steps help you. I want to make sure you can get the information you need.

Thanks for your reply and suggestions.  Unfortunately nothing helped and I still cannot send excel files other than as a CVS.  Any other ideas?

I appreciate all the efforts you've performed to get this resolved, tippykayak.

Since you're still unable to send files to Excel, I'd recommend contacting our QuickBooks Support Team. They're equipped with tools to determine the cause. It'll also allow them to submit a ticket to our engineering team to alert them about the issue if necessary.

Here's how:

1. From the Help menu, select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. In the Have a Question window, the Contact us link.
3. On the Contact Us screen, go to the Tell us more about your question section.
4. Enter Unable to send files to Excel in the box.
5. Click the Search button to display the Let's Talk button.

You can check out our support hours to ensure that you'll be assisted on time.

Additionally, I've added these articles that'll help you personalize your reports in QuickBooks Desktop:

• Customize Reports
• Report Preferences

Thanks for your patience on this matter. Please know that we want to make sure this issue gets fixed as soon as possible. Keep safe!

Hello -- did you ever get your issue resolved? We are having the same issue with one of our users.

It works properly for some users, but we only get the CSV option for one of our users. We compared two users (one that works and the one that doesn't)  and both users have the same version of Windows 10, same version of MS Office and same permissions inside QB (QBES 2022).

Thank you.

Being able to get the CSV option to all of your users is our priority, John_K,

Normally, the basic troubleshooting steps that you'll have to do so it will fix the issue is that the QuickBooks Desktop version must be updated. To do this, follow  the steps below: 

1. Go to the Help menu and select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to the Update Now tab. Tip: You can select the Reset Update checkbox to clear all previous update downloads.
3. Select Get Updates to start the download.
4. When the download finishes, restart QuickBooks.
5. When prompted, accept the option to install the new release.

Another factor for the CSV option to work is to check your system requirements for your QuickBooks version. You'll want to upgrade to a newer Microsoft version if the one you have isn't compatible. You can also check out this article for other troubleshooting steps that you can perform to make sure issues with CSV files are resolved: Fix Export To Excel Issues In QuickBooks Desktop.

However, if non of the steps works, I recommend reaching out to our support team so they can double-check why is this happening and investigate the root cause of this further. They also have the tools to pull up your account in a secure environment.

Moreover, QuickBooks offers a variety of reports that provides your company's information. You'll have to customize them so you'll be able to get the information you need most. Learn from this article for more details: Customize Reports In QuickBooks Desktop.

Got more questions with CSV files. Don't forget we're always right here to assist with your need. Drop a comment below and we'll be sure to get back.

No I never got it resolved. Even after following the troubleshooting suggestions. 

Hi there, @Al Borland.

I appreciate your efforts in performing all the steps above to export your report through excel file. This isn't the kind of service we want you to experience, however, since all the troubleshooting steps didn't work, we recommend contacting our Support Team. They can use the screen-share tool to help better isolate and identify the cause of this behavior. 

Here's how:

1. From the Help menu, select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. In the Have a Question window, the Contact us link.
3. On the Contact Us screen, go to the Tell us more about your question section.
4. Enter Unable to send files to Excel in the box.
5. Click the Search button to display the Let's Talk button.

You can check out our support hours to ensure that you'll be assisted on time.

I've added these articles that'll help you personalize your reports in QuickBooks Desktop:

• Customize Reports
• Report Preferences

You're always welcome to tag my name in the comment section if you have other questions. I'm here ready to guide you all the way. Enjoy the rest of your day!

I have the same problem despite doing all that was mentioned as a "fix". 

Have exported reports for years without a problem and now can only have the option of saving as a CSV file.

The solution is to pay for Quickbooks support? This seems to be a problem with the program, very frustrating

We are having the same problem.  Hours with online support, still unresolved.  Was told we had to upgrade to QB 2023 Desktop Pro Plus last Friday.  Now, unable to use Excel....  A critical function.

Shame on Intuit for not providing a fix for this! No steps have fixed this issue---this program is useless without this function!  As other users said; one day in worked and the next it did not.  

For me, the problem started yesterday.
I have Office 365, updated to the latest version + Windows 11

For me, this problem started yesterday.
I have Office 365, updated to the latest version + Windows 11

I'm here to guide you through the steps on how to resolve your issue with exporting reports to Excel, Decus.

To start, you'll have to clear up the registry issues you're experiencing with an IT personnel. This way, the program can detect that Excel was installed correctly.

Next, modify your email settings to enable enhanced security. Then, open QuickBooks and export any reports to Excel.

If Microsoft Excel is still grayed out, repair Microsoft Office and change the user account control settings. Follow the steps below to toggle the Windows User Account Controls (UAC):

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Start menu and type User Account Control Settings into the search field. 
2. Open User Account Control Settings.
3. Select and move the slider to Never Notify.
4. Click OK and restart your computer.

You can browse this article for more in-depth information about the troubleshooting steps: Fix export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

Save the link to our online resources in your browser for future reference. There, you'll find answers to some accounting-related questions as well as articles to help you complete any QuickBooks tasks.

If you require further information about running reports and other product concerns, tap the Reply button and enter them in the field. I'll get back to help you. Have a good one and stay safe.

The repair of the Microsoft word actually worked for me thank you

Your solution worked for me. I just have to repair the Microsoft office software and then reboot my computer.

Glad to know we're able to provide the solution that you're looking for, Dalbir.

If you need additional help in managing and running reports, please let us know. We're always here to help you out.

I've also added our View All Help article for future reference. There, you can search topics that'll help you in completing your other QuickBooks tasks.

Have a great day ahead!

I tried all of the aforementioned recommendations then eventually found the real fix. 

Office 32 bit version are not working for report exporting so uninstall and reinstall office 365 64 bit edition and send reports to excel will function again.

This worked for me as well.

Thank you for posting this.

bp

Another solution would be for the development engineers to identify what DLL, API, Registry Key, etc. is missing that the reinstall steps fix and to provide a fix that takes less than an hour to perform like quality applications do.

I had the same problem and tried updating and reinstalling QB. Turned out it was Microsoft. I use Office 2016 and I had to do an online repair from Apps and features, which fixed the problem. The quick repair option did not fix the problem. Be sure to write down your Office key code as it asked for it after the repair.