Space for pervasive banner when authenticated
Move your QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online
Learn how to move your QuickBooks Desktop company file to QuickBooks Online.
Use QuickBooks Online to manage your business finances anywhere. This helps you keep your business running even when you’re away from your desk. Here’s what you need to do first:
If you haven’t yet, sign up for QuickBooks Online.
Tip: You can also compare QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online if you need more info.Get your QuickBooks Desktop company file ready.
Use the migration tool in QuickBooks Desktop, or the online migration tool.
Finish setting up your QuickBooks Online account:
Make sure it’s in the same country or region as your QuickBooks Desktop.
Make sure you have admin access to both your QuickBooks Desktop company file and QuickBooks Online account.
If you use Intuit Enterprise Suite (IES), here’s how you can move your data to IES.
Important: The time you have to move your data from QuickBooks Desktop depends on how your QuickBooks Online account was set up.
If you signed up for yourself: 90 calendar days
If your accountant signed up for you: 180 calendar days
Explore the benefits of moving to QuickBooks Online including automatic updates for the latest version of QuickBooks, tracking and sending invoices on the go, and mobile alerts. Learn more about QuickBooks Online.
Prepare to move your data
Make sure to do the following steps before you move your data. These help you avoid any issues during and after the transfer.
Check your file size:
Open QuickBooks Desktop.
Press F2 or Ctrl+1 on your keyboard. This opens the Product Information window.
Confirm your Total Targets count is below 4,000,000.
Note: If the total count is above 4,000,000, you need to condense your data before you proceed.
Make sure your company file doesn’t have any issues: verify and rebuild your data (if needed).
Make sure your company file is saved locally on your computer:
If you have a cloud or hosting service (for example, Rightworks), contact your service provider. They can help you get a copy of your company file on your computer.
If you aren’t sure and you need help locating your company file, here’s how you can check if it’s locally saved on your computer.
(Optional) Prepare your payroll for migration: If you run payroll in QuickBooks Desktop, do the following:
Verify all your employees’ info are accurate and up-to-date. Update them as needed.
Delete employee(s) with no pay history within the current calendar year.
Run your payroll.
Note: Wait 2 to 3 business days for everything to sync before you move to QuickBooks Online. This helps you avoid any payroll issues.Make sure the migration is complete at least 7 business days before your next scheduled payroll. This helps you avoid any delays.
Option 1: Use QuickBooks Desktop to move your company file
Follow these steps to move your data to QuickBooks Online.
Note: The migration time depends on how complex and large your company file is.
Open QuickBooks Desktop. Make sure you sign in as the company admin.
Open the export tool depending on your QuickBooks Desktop version:
Pro or Premier
Go to Company, then select Migrate this company file to QuickBooks Online.
Select Export Your Company File to QuickBooks Online.
Select Get started.
You'll see a personalized checklist of all the tasks required to get your company file ready:
Review each task and take action(s) as needed.
Note: You can also select Complete All to finish all tasks at once.Select Continue.
Select Bring all your company data, then select Continue.
Note: You can select Bring only list and balances if you only want to move your customers, vendors, chart of accounts, employees, and items.Select Yes, sign me in to sign in to your QuickBooks Online account, then select Continue.
Note: Use the email address and password you used when you signed up for QuickBooks Online.Select the company where you want to move your QuickBooks Desktop company file to.
Important: If you have existing data in QuickBooks Online, you’ll see a prompt to replace it. Enter Agree in the textbox, or select Replace to confirm. Otherwise, you need to create (or select an empty QuickBooks Online company) a new company.
Note: You can no longer undo the action when you choose to replace your data in QuickBooks Online.
Enterprise
Press CTRL + 1 on your keyboard. This opens the Product Information window.
Press CTRL + B + Q on your keyboard at the same time to open the file export window.
Select OK to close the Product Information window.
Select Get started.
Select Bring all your company data, then select Continue.
Note: You can select Bring only list and balances if you only want to move your customers, vendors, chart of accounts, employees and items.Select Yes, sign me in to sign in to your QuickBooks Online account, then select Continue.
Note: Use the email address and password you used when you signed up for QuickBooks Online.Select the company where you want to move your QuickBooks Desktop company file to.
Important: If you have existing data in QuickBooks Online, you’ll see a prompt to replace it. Enter Agree in the textbox, or select Replace to confirm. Otherwise, you need to create (or select an empty QuickBooks Online company) a new company.
Note: You can no longer undo the action when you choose to replace your data in QuickBooks Online.
Select Export. You’ll see a progress bar as QuickBooks completes your data transfer.
Option 2: Use the online migration tool to move your company file
You can use the online migration tool if:
you're an accountant who doesn’t have QuickBooks Desktop and want to help your client move to QuickBooks Online
you don't have QuickBooks Desktop, but you have a QuickBooks Desktop file that you want to move to QuickBooks Online
your QuickBooks Desktop company file version is 2011 or later
Note: If you have a company file from 2010 or earlier, follow these steps to run QuickBooks File Doctor. This helps you avoid any issues during the transfer.
The online migration tool can move the following QuickBooks file types to QuickBooks Online:
QuickBooks Desktop company file (.QBW)
QuickBooks Desktop backup file (.QBB)
QuickBooks portable file (.QBM)
Note: If you use QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, you need to save a backup copy of your company file for Windows first. This lets you get a .QBW file you can use to export to QuickBooks Online.
Step 1: Open the online migration tool
Note: If you use QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, convert your company file first.
Select Get started, then Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
Step 2: Upload your company file
In the upload page, select Select file, then browse to the folder where you saved your company file.
Note: If you use QuickBooks Enterprise, select switch to this link.Select Open.
Tip: You can also use your mouse to drag and drop it into the file upload box.Wait until the upload is complete.
Follow the prompts to set up your new web-based layout.
You’ll see “Your company is now online” on the screen when the migration is complete.
You can also contact us if you need further assistance.
Get personalized help using QuickBooks with QuickBooks Live.
Sign in now for personalized help
See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.
Call Sales: 1-800-365-9606
