Convert QuickBooks Online into QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop are widely used versions of the same small business accounting software and are registered trademarks of Intuit. While they both help small businesses meet their accounting needs, they differ from each other in both form and functionality. While QuickBooks Desktop is installed on servers and individual machines, QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based version of the accounting software that is accessible through the internet. The accessibility of QuickBooks comes at the cost of features. Convert QuickBooks Online to Desktop with the procedure we describe in the following section. Also learn why QuickBooks Desktop hosting is a better alternative for small and medium businesses with its distinct advantages.

Why Businesses Purchase QuickBooks Desktop?

Although QuickBooks Online was rolled out much later than QuickBooks Desktop and doesn’t have to rely on annual feature updates in major releases like the Desktop version, it misses out on some key components that are available on QuickBooks Desktop. In general, QuickBooks Desktop is more suitable when there is a higher volume of data to be processed and there is a requirement for a greater degree of specialization in terms of the accounting operations. With additional features in areas like data entry, job costing, reporting, inventory management, and accounting, QuickBooks Desktop has a clear edge over QuickBooks Online.

Advantages of QuickBooks Desktop over QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop is a better option for conglomerates and accounting services that require to maintain multiple company books. It is also a better option for product-based companies that need to keep track of inventories particularly the ones that are operational in one of the industry categories available in QuickBooks. Below is a summary of the major advantages of QuickBooks Desktop over QuickBooks Online.

• Advanced inventory management

  While QuickBooks Online provides only the first in first out (FIFO) method for inventory management, and that too only on select versions, there are two methods for tracking inventory with QuickBooks Desktop. The addition average cost method is available with the Advanced Inventory add-on module.

• Industry-specific customizations

  QuickBooks Desktop includes customizations for businesses in certain industries like manufacturing and wholesale, contracting, retail, nonprofit, professional services, and general business.

• Batch invoicing method

  It is possible to issue invoices in batches with QuickBooks Desktop which simplifies client servicing when there are multiple businesses involved.

• Manage multiple accounts

  A single QuickBooks Desktop installation supports multiple company files. This is, however, not true for QuickBooks Online which can handle only one company file per subscription.

Points to note while converting from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop have several variations that could cause compatibility issues.

• It is ideal to use the latest version of QuickBooks desktop to minimize compatibility issues.
• Avoid exporting multicurrency data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop as it might not be displayed correctly.
• The conversion is to be done with Internet Explorer.
• Some records like audit logs and estimates may not be available on QuickBooks Desktop. These records can be exported as PDF.
• There are restrictions on the number of items like customers, vendors, and employees for different QuickBooks Desktop versions. You might have to upgrade when the limits exceed the permissible numbers.

Apart from these factors, certain records from QuickBooks Online will be converted to their QuickBooks Desktop equivalent and some fields will assume default values in QuickBooks Desktop. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the changes before migrating.

How to export your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop?

Intuit deprecated the ability to export data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop effective December 18, 2020. Here are the alternate methods of importing data into QuickBooks Desktop from QuickBooks Online.

Moving List Data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop

List items such as vendors, customers, products, and services, and accounts can be moved from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop. Below are the general steps for the process.

• Export the report for the appropriate list item into Excel in the prescribed format.
• Make changes to the data, and map the fields with those in QuickBooks Desktop.
• Import the data into the respective field in QuickBooks Desktop after setting up the application.

Note that you will only be able to export the list items and the current open balances with this method. The transactions will not get exported automatically. Similarly, if you are moving products and services, you will first have to set up inventory tracking before importing.

Exporting Transactional Data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop

There is no longer a built-in method for exporting transactional data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop. While users who recently switched from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online might still be able to re-open the imported files and add the missing transactions manually, others may have to use third-party tools in the QuickBooks Apps for converting their data.

Using Data Backup

The most reliable method for importing data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop is by using backups. While QuickBooks Online Advanced users can create online backups of their company files, and save their accounting data to DropBox or Google Drive, and restore it in QuickBooks Desktop.

The Online Backup and Restore app is not available for other QuickBooks Online users, who will have to use third-party apps for backing up and restoring data.

How Can QuickBooks Desktop Hosting Help?

If there was a technique to overcome the primary disadvantage of QuickBooks Desktop vis-a-vis QuickBooks Online, that is, the ability to access it using any device using the internet, it would surely give the former the upper hand for most businesses. Hosted QuickBooks Desktop is that solution. With hosted QuickBooks Desktop, the software is installed on a networked server of a third-party service provider through which the software can be accessed using any device with a web browser. Such a host can provide the required QuickBooks Desktop version including QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Solutions, and others using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

Apart from accessing any version of QuickBooks without capital investments, QuickBooks hosting service overcomes many of the shortcomings of both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.

These include

• Simultaneous access to multiple users to a data file on QuickBooks Desktop.
• Simplified file sharing capabilities with a real-time tracking facility.
• Better resource management.
• Reduced spending on infrastructure and management costs.
• Reliable security and data backup.

The Apps4Rent Advantage

There are many benefits when you convert QuickBooks Online to Desktop. The benefits increase manifolds when QuickBooks Desktop is made available through the service of a hosting service provider. Not only do you get assistance with hosting setup and installation but also a range of other benefits like technical assistance with troubleshooting various issues. The host can even provide the required licenses for QuickBooks. Apps4Rent is among the few Intuit-Authorized Commercial Hosting Providers for various QuickBooks Desktop versions. We provide 24/7 assistance via phone, chat, and email for all QuickBooks related technical issues along with guaranteed uptime. Contact our sales to know how Apps4Rent can assist your business with a hosted QuickBooks Desktop.