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QuickBooks Desktop discontinuation and moving to QuickBooks Online

Bank feeds, payroll tax updates, payment processing, or support no longer work in an older Desktop version, or you have decided to move the company to QuickBooks Online and want a clean cutoff.

On Windows Desktop, the usual export path is Company, then Export Company File to QuickBooks Online. Mac has its own conversion steps in Intuit's 'Move your QuickBooks Desktop company file' articles. You need admin access to both the Desktop file and the new Online company.

Likely causes

• Intuit's service discontinuation policy ended security updates, bank feeds, payroll, and payments for QuickBooks Desktop 2023 after May 31, 2026.
• Intuit currently states that QuickBooks Desktop 2024 (Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Enterprise Solutions) will not be discontinued in May 2027, and that there is no sunset deadline for that release. Accept the in-product updates when they appear. Intuit can change this policy, so re-check Intuit's current help pages if you are deciding whether to stay on Desktop.
• Staying on Desktop is still an option for some companies (for example, upgrading to a supported Desktop year or Desktop Enterprise). Online is the better fit when you need remote access and simultaneous users. Inventory assemblies, advanced pricing, and some custom fields work differently in QuickBooks Online, so review those before you move.

Quick fixes

1. Decide the target: a supported Desktop version, Desktop Enterprise, or QuickBooks Online. If you rely on inventory assemblies, lot or serial numbers, Advanced Pricing, or many custom fields, read Intuit's list of what does and does not move before you choose Online.
2. In Desktop, update to the latest release, keep the company file on a local drive (not a hosted path), and run File, then Utilities, then Verify Data. If Verify reports a problem, run Rebuild Data. Finish payroll and wait a couple of business days if you use Desktop Payroll.
3. Sign up for or open the QuickBooks Online company that will receive the data. Intuit notes that you generally have 90 days from Online signup to import (longer if an accountant is doing a batch move). Anything already entered in that Online company will be overwritten.
4. Export or convert the file using Intuit's current tool for your product (Windows, Mac, or the accountant batch tool). The Desktop file is copied, not deleted. Keep Desktop open until the transfer has clearly started, then wait for Intuit's email.
5. After the move, run a profit and loss and a balance sheet in both products for all dates, accrual basis, and compare the totals. Reconnect bank feeds (they do not travel, for security reasons). Confirm payroll and payments setup before the next payday. Keep the Desktop file available for lookup until you have checked the results.

A few more questions

Does the move delete my Desktop company file?

No. Intuit's conversion copies the data into QuickBooks Online. Keep the Desktop file as your backup and for looking up history.

Will my bank feeds come over?

No. You reconnect bank and credit card accounts in QuickBooks Online after the move. Plan a little time for that in the first week.