So, you’ve purchased a new computer and are wondering how to transfer all your QuickBooks files and data from the old one? Don’t worry, the QuickBooks Migration Tool is here to help! In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to move your QuickBooks files and data smoothly. Keep reading until the end to ensure a hassle-free migration process!
Transferring data from one system to another can be a time-consuming and daunting task. To simplify this, Intuit developed the QuickBooks Migration Tool. This tool allows you to transfer your data safely and efficiently from one system to another, without the need for manual intervention. It gets the job done in half the time, making it a real time-saver. The best part? The QuickBooks Migration Tool is completely free and easy to set up on your QuickBooks software, ensuring a smooth transition without any hassle.
The QuickBooks Migration Tool is accessible via your browser, so it's important to ensure that your system’s browser is compatible with the tool. Make sure you're using an up-to-date browser to avoid any issues during the migration process and ensure smooth functionality.
Now that you have an understanding of the QuickBooks Migration Tool, let’s dive into the requirements and the setup process in the following sections. This will guide you through everything you need to ensure a smooth and successful data transfer.
To install the QuickBooks Migration Tool on your device, you'll need the following:
Make sure to have all these things before proceeding to set up the software tool. After that, read the next section to know the setup process.
To transfer your data with the Migration tool, you first have to download and install it on your system. So follow the simple step given below to set up the QuickBooks Migration tool on your device:
That’s it, you can use the QuickBooks Migration tool anytime you want. Moving on, let’s discuss the types of data that can and can’t be transferred with the software tool.
Here is the list of files and data that you can and can not transfer to the new system:
| Can be transferred | Can’t be transferred |
|---|---|
| Recent company files | Intuit data protect |
| Spelling checker | Back up files |
| Finance statement designer | Finance statement designer Synchronizing payment and payroll |
| The settings of the printer | Configuration of multi-user mode |
| Advance reports | |
| Statement writer | |
| Business planner | |
| Cash flow projector | |
| Loan manager |
Migrating data and files from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online requires careful attention, as it involves several manual adjustments. While the QuickBooks Migration Tool streamlines much of the process, you may still need to re-add or modify some data during the transfer of company files. It's important to note that each data type or file may behave differently during the migration process, which means you'll need to take specific steps depending on the type of file you're transferring. To ensure a smooth transition, it's essential to:
Let’s see how these files behave during QuickBooks Migration:
The online version of QuickBooks has a detail types section in the Chart of Accounts. During the migration, the generic layout is converted to the desktop, but you need to fill in the bank numbers and data later.
Once you migrate your data from Desktop to online, this adds up to your expenses.
The active estimates get converted and closed in the online version, but the inactivated estimates get rejected.
The online version can track your inventory by the FIFO method, but it is only available for a short period of time. It is only accessible with the Plus version.
All the journal entries are converted from desktop to online versions.
All the details of vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers, including payment history do not get converted to the online version.
The audits done on your desktop version can not be converted to the online versions as it has its own layout for audit trails, known as Audit logs that can be maintained automatically.
Now that you are familiar with the nature of each file with QuickBooks online migration, the necessary steps can be taken accordingly. Moving ahead, let’s learn what things you should do before and during the migration process in the coming section.
You need to prepare everything correctly before initiating QuickBooks Migration online to avoid losing any data or important files. Here are some of the aspects you need to look after carefully:
Your QB desktop must be updated to its latest features for migration. Follow the steps given below to update the software:
Your QB desktop will be updated by following the above-written method.
To move your file from desktop to online QB, you need to purchase a subscription plan that fits best with your budget. Apart from that, you need to check your system’s compatibility with QuickBooks Online software.
So let’s suppose you have purchased the online subscription, now you will have to wait for 60 days for the QB migration. Meaning, you must ensure that your QB online software has crossed 60 days to sign up to covert the files.
If you have reports and lists that cross 700,000 total targets, then you have to follow the export procedure. Follow the steps below for the same:
You are now familiar with what you need to do before the file transfer process. Let’s go ahead and see how to find the software tool in the coming section.
It might be difficult for you to locate the migration tool in your software if you are using it for the first time. So follow the process we have written below to find the QB migration tool on your device:
Now that you have got the tool on your system, let’s learn the steps by which you can transfer your data in the next section.
You can transfer all your files from your old to the new system with the help of QB Migration tool. As we have already downloaded the tool on the system, let’s go ahead and follow the process to transfer our data:
Follow the steps that need to be done on your old system:
Once the files are copied, follow the steps written below on your new system:
After you have followed the steps, wait until the tool completes the migration process. As we have already learned about the files that can not be transferred to the new system, let’s look at the additional steps you have to take to complete the setup:
In case you believe some of the data is still left in your old system, then you can manually transfer it to the new device. Let’s see how to do it in the coming section.
If you want to transfer the data from the old computer to the new computer manually, follow the instructions given below:
That’s it, you can now start using the software. But there are a few things you first have to do immediately after running the software on your new system, which we will discuss in the coming section.
Here is the list of things you must do after you have transferred the files:
So we have explained all the steps to transfer QB files from the old to the new computer. However, we have seen many users struggling with the process. In case, you find it difficult too, don’t worry, we have explained an alternative method in the next section.
Follow the simple steps to easily migrate all your files and data from the old to a new computer:
The software will review your request and initiate the process automatically.
You can contact Intuit at 800-459-5183 for QuickBooks migration support.
The QuickBooks migration can take up to 72 hours.
You can go to the settings and export data to move QuickBooks online files to your desktop.