Easily Convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online: Steps Involved

If you are a regular QuickBooks user, you might be familiar with the different QB variants. From QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Enterprise, Intuit has provided different versions to suit specific business requirements. In case you are already using one QuickBooks version and want to convert to another, there is an easy data transfer process. You need to follow some basic system requirements and perform the conversion process. If you want to convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online then, this article is for you. We will help you successfully move to QuickBooks Online with the help of a few easy steps.

If you are having issues while performing the conversion process or are unable to convert your QB data, you can reach out to us at 1.855.738.2784 and get assistance from our technical team.

What Does Converting to QuickBooks Online Mean?

When you migrate to QuickBooks Online, it simply means transferring your business data from one QB variant to another. This is a fairly simple process that can be performed by following a step-by-step procedure. You can convert QuickBooks by following the steps provided below.

Why Should You Convert to QuickBooks Online?

There can be many reasons for choosing QuickBooks Online over QuickBooks Desktop, a few of which are given below –

1. With QuickBooks Online, you get a lot of add-on features that are not available in the desktop version.
2. QuickBooks Online offers ease of accessibility and you can access your business data from anywhere, at any time.
3. Your company data is stored in a cloud environment, which provides data safety.
4. The entire conversion process doesn’t cost a penny, and you can transfer your data free of cost.
5. It is easier to compare reports from one year to another and draw a comparison with QuickBooks Online.

Prerequisites to Consider Before Migrating QuickBooks Desktop to Online

You need to adhere to some system requirements before you convert QuickBooks Enterprise to QuickBooks Online.

1. While performing the conversion process, the entire data might not get converted. You will need to export any custom reports you have created in QuickBooks Desktop before making the data switch.
2. The pricing structure also differs between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. You will be charged a monthly subscription fee instead of a one-time fee for software purchases.
3. It might take a while for your team to get used to operating QuickBooks Online. For this, try to make the switch during a slow period so that your business operations are not affected.

Data that Does Not Get Converted While Transferring to QuickBooks Online

It’s important to know about the company data and reports that might not get converted with the QuickBooks conversion process.

1. Credit cards and account reconciliation reports for banks.
2. Your past audit trail can only be kept in a duplicate format.
3. Recurring credit card charges will only get transferred if you choose to rebuild them.
4. If you are using QuickBooks for Mac, inventory will not get converted.
5. Some custom reports might not be converted to QuickBooks Desktop.

You May Also Read: What is Error PS077 in QuickBooks Payroll Update?

Methods on How to Convert your QuickBooks Desktop File to QuickBooks Online

When converting data from QuickBooks Desktop, you need to perform the following three methods –

Method 1 – Data Verification

The first step is to verify your QB data from the File menu. For this, you need to go to the Utilities drop-down and select the Verify Data option. Verify your QB data and rebuild the damaged data with the Rebuild Data tool.

Method 2 – Make the Company File Compatible with QB Online

Next, you need to ensure that your QB company file is in the correct format as per QuickBooks Online. To change the format, you need to go to the File menu and select Utilities to click on the Copy Company File option. Save the file on your Desktop and create a new company file with the OE.qbw extension.

Method 3 – Import the Data Files to QBO

Now, you can easily import QuickBooks Desktop file to QuickBooks Online through Internet Explorer. For this, go to the Company menu and select More to choose the Import QuickBooks Data option. From the File menu, choose the file you want to import and let the importation process complete. You will get a confirmation mail once done and your data file is ready!

Effective Steps to Switch to QuickBooks Online Successfully

Now, let’s follow the procedure given below to perform the QuickBooks Online conversion process –

1. The first step is to check the file size requirement and ensure that it adheres to QBO. You can only import your data within 60 days of the subscription, and you can extend the subscription to 180 days by contacting a QuickBooks Pro Advisor.
2. Get a QBO subscription and verify your data before converting it to QBO. Finish all the pending tasks and reports and remove all the unnecessary data for a smooth conversion process.
3. Before converting, ensure to take a backup of your company data in the data file by going to the File menu. Select Backup Company and click on the Local Backup option to finish the backup process.
4. Now, create a QuickBooks Online account and provide all the necessary details to get started. Once the account is created, log out of QuickBooks and open QuickBooks Desktop again.
5. Make sure that you are running the latest QB Desktop version before exporting the data, and if not, go to the Help menu and update your QuickBooks.
6. Select the Company menu and click on Export Company File to QuickBooks Online to initiate the process.
7. Log in to the new QBO account and review if you want to export your existing inventory into the online system. If you do, keep in mind that QBO uses the FIFO method to measure inventory, and your values might differ from QuickBooks Desktop.
8. Recalculate your inventory by selecting the start & end date, and once done, select the QBO Company from the drop-down menu.
9. Once you have selected the company file, copy the data file and wait for the process to finish. Once the data is copied, you will get a confirmation email regarding the same, asking you to complete the setup.
10. Click OK and check the exported data before starting to operate the QBO account. For this, you can run your various reports, like the P&L account and balance sheets.
11. Compare the data between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, and don’t delete the previous data before ensuring that there is no data mismatch or accidental data loss.
12. Once your data is ready, complete the setup by selecting the button to log in to QBO and review your data.

The amount of time it will take to convert your QuickBooks data will depend on the size of your company file. Make sure not to interrupt the QuickBooks online conversion process, no matter how long it takes.

Conclusion

You can easily convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online by following the conversion process provided in this article. If you face any issues while you migrate to QuickBooks Online, you can reach out to us at 1.855.738.2784 and get professional assistance from our team of QB experts.