How to upgrade and import 'old' Quickbooks Desktop Company files to QBO?

Hi @Eugene Pieterse, I wanted to make sure you're able to get back up and running.

I'll share how you're able to convert your client's company data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online seamlessly.

You're on the right track, a working trial version of QBDT is needed when converting company data from an unsupported year version. Yes, the link included in the article showing the restoration tool is not yet available. For now, we'll have to move your data manually by creating a CSV file.

Kindly read and use this article to learn more about the conversion and for the instruction: Why Can’t I Move Data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online?

Now that you're about to start working on the online version, here's a reference to learn more about the features and functions of QuickBooks Online. You can log in to any of our supported browser versions and use this reference for guidance: Help Articles in QuickBooks Online. 

It'll always be my pleasure to help if you have any other concerns besides converting company data in QuickBooks. Please let me know by clicking the Reply button and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to include my name, @JonpriL, and take care always, @Eugene Pieterse!

@Eugene Pieterse 

You have previously used the trial license on your machine. Unless you reinstall Windows or clean registry settings, you won't be able to use the same trial license again. Consider purchasing a one-time license for QBD 2020 UK or QBD 2021 CA to upgrade your client data file and migrate it to QBO UK or CA.

However, if your client prefers to use QBO South Africa version, consider purchasing a third-party conversion service. Contact us in private for details.

Hi @JonpriL 

Thank you for the timely response.  I just need to verify a few things please.  The client's existing company file is almost 700MB so obviously moving this over through CSV files would take a while, the main reason for the large file is mostly because the information on QB goes very far back, with that being said will I at least be able to eventually move all of their information to QBO through importing CSV's?

Do you have any idea when Quickbooks' new migration tools/process will be available?

@Fiat Lux - ASIA 

I've only used client's computers to install trial versions of QB, how would you know that I've installed a trial product on this system exactly?

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@Eugene Pieterse wrote:

I used to follow with this was I would use a trial version of QB Desktop UK/Canada (2019/20) to upgrade and restore a backup of an old QB file and then export that data for QBO however I'm now unable to do this as the only trial version of Quickbooks

 

@Eugene Pieterse 

My reply is to respond to your words that you can't use the trial version anymore on your machine. If you can't install the trial version on your client machine, it's possible that your client is running an unsupported Windows OS. cmiiw

I appreciate you for coming back to tread to add some clarification about your concern, Eugene Pieterse. I'll be providing extra details on how the migration method from QuickBooks Desktop to Online works. Then, to ensure you can move your data smoothly.

Since we have to temporarily hit the pause button on all QBDT to QBO migrations last June 16, yes, you can eventually move your QBDT data to QBO using the Excel CSV files.

Then, we are unable to provide a specific time frame as to when the option or tools for the migration process will be available. Rest assured that the updated migration process will allow you to move larger files with no size limitations.

On the other hand, when you migrate data from one QuickBooks to another, you'll have to ensure that you use the same International version. With this, installing and utilizing a trial version of QuickBooks for South Africa isn't currently possible. This is because we are currently discontinuing our Desktop offering in the said place. 

You can open this article to view additional details about the migration process from QBDT to QBO: Why can’t I move my data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online?.

Lastly, I'm adding this article to further guide you in effectively managing your business using QBO: Help guide for QuickBooks Online. It contains topics about different accounting strategies, banking, and payments.

Get back to me here if you have further questions about managing your QuickBooks data. I'd be more than happy to answer it for you, Eugene Pieterse. Have a nice day!

@ChristieAnn  
Thanks for the assistance.  Do you by any chance have more detailed information available on exporting certain things from Quickbooks DT to CSV? Such as the invoices that have been made out to customers?  I've already followed the links provided in your post but it doesn't really explain how exactly I export the invoices themselves. I can only find an option to export the transactions of a customer

Hello, Eugene.

I understand how important it is for you to export invoices made out to your customers. I'll go over how to export data from QuickBooks Desktop to CSV files in more detail.

There isn't a way to export invoices from QuickBooks Desktop to a CSV file. Instead, you can run the Sales by Customer Details report and then customize it to show only invoices made out to your customers. I'll show you how.

1. Click the Reports menu.
2. Go to Sales.
3. Select Sales by Customer Detail.
4. Ensure you have the correct reporting period.
5. Click Customize Report, then go to the Filters tab.
6. Under FILTER, select Transaction Type.
7. Under Transaction Type, choose Invoice.
8. Click OK.
9. Hit the Excel dropdown, then select Create New Worksheet to export it to Excel.

Before importing them, make sure everything looks good in your CSV file. You can download this sample spreadsheet to ensure that your spreadsheet column headings correspond to QuickBooks fields. Check out this article for more details: Import multiple invoices at once.

Please let me know if you have further questions about the export and import processes. I'll be around to help you.

I managed to install a copy of QBDT 2020 UK however the issue I'm experiencing now when trying to export the Company File to QBO is during the 2nd step which tells me I need to update the software to proceed.  I have used the auto update which didn't seem to work and I downloaded and installed the latest update manually which also hasn't had any effect,  any suggestions on what I could try to remedy this?

Afaik, we won't be able to use the conversion feature on QBD UK version at this time. One said they are working to fix something until next month. You have to wait or use other ways to convert your data.

If that is the case it's actually just a ridiculous approach, if the features aren't working properly and need to be fixed then I understand the need to disable certain facilities but otherwise this honestly doesn't make any sense and is highly counter-intuitive to servicing customer needs.  If you want to discontinue products then that's fine but I think this needs to be communicated better, especially the intention to disable services which streamline the migration process.  The CSV file import is anything but simple and easy.  The amount of information I need to edit in the tables is about as much work as just capturing every customer and every transaction again. 

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@Eugene Pieterse wrote:

The amount of information I need to edit in the tables is about as much work as just capturing every customer and every transaction again. 

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Last resort, purchase a 3rd party conversion service.

I understand how important it is to migrate your data, Eugene Pieterse.

I can see how the functionality to migrate your data to QuickBooks Online using a migration tool would be beneficial to your business. I'd recommend sending a feature request directly to our Product Development team. This helps us improves your experience with the program. 

Here's how:

1. Go to the Gear menu and then select Feedback.
2. Type in your feature request in the description box.
3. Once done, click on Next.

Additionally, I've added an article that'll help you keep your books running smoothly in QuickBooks Online: Getting Started.

I'm only a few clicks away if you need assistance in managing your QuickBooks data. It's always my pleasure to help you out again.