Moving from QuickBooks Desktop to Online
In the US, Intuit's own tool moves a QuickBooks Desktop file into QuickBooks Online, as long as the file is under four million targets and the Online subscription is less than 90 days old. In the UK, Desktop was discontinued in June 2023, and Intuit points users to Movemybooks to convert their data.
- File limit
- Under 4,000,000 targets
- Online account age
- Within 90 days, 180 for accountants
- UK Desktop
- Discontinued 30 June 2023
Ways to switch
Intuit's migration tool (US). Run the migration from the Desktop file, stored locally and in single-user mode. The Desktop data replaces everything already in the QuickBooks Online company.
Batch tool for accountants (US). Moves up to 50 client files at once from QuickBooks Desktop Accountant 2021 or newer. Each file must have no more than four million targets and be 5 GB or smaller.
Movemybooks (UK). All QuickBooks Desktop services for UK customers ended on 30 June 2023. Intuit points UK users to Movemybooks, a self-service tool that converts the Desktop data.
Payroll timing. Wait two to three business days after the last Desktop payroll run before migrating.
What moves over
Moves over: Attachments of 30 MB or smaller, FIFO and average cost inventory (on Plus and Advanced), the current year's paychecks as lump sums, and item lists up to five levels deep.
Does not move: The audit trail, memorised reports, units of measure, bank connections and past reconciliation reports. Budgets are not recreated.
Large files: Files with more than 750,000 targets can show data discrepancies, especially in inventory.
Tools for the move
Conversion tools in the directory
Common questions
Is QuickBooks Desktop being discontinued?+
In the UK, all QuickBooks Desktop services ended on 30 June 2023. In the US, Intuit stopped selling new Pro Plus, Premier Plus and Mac Plus subscriptions after 30 September 2024; existing subscribers can renew, and Enterprise is not affected.
How big a file can move to QuickBooks Online?+
Intuit's tool works with files under four million targets. Files over 750,000 targets can show discrepancies, especially in inventory.
Does my QuickBooks Desktop history move to QuickBooks Online?+
Transactions, lists and attachments of 30 MB or smaller move. The audit trail, memorised reports, bank connections and past reconciliation reports do not.
More switching guides
Part of Accountio’s accounting technology coverage · Switching guides
