---
title: "Migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online"
description: "Step-by-step guide to migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online. Benefits, data transfer details, challenges, and FAQs."
tags: QuickBooks, QuickBooks Premier, QuickBooks Online, Migration, Cloud Accounting
---

# Migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online

Many businesses using **QuickBooks Premier** are now choosing to **migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online** to gain flexibility, cloud access, and real-time collaboration. While QuickBooks Premier offers industry-specific features, it relies on local installations and manual updates, which can limit scalability.

QuickBooks Online (QBO) provides secure cloud-based accounting, automatic updates, and seamless integrations—making it an ideal upgrade for growing businesses. This guide explains **how to migrate QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online**, what data transfers, common challenges, and expert best practices.

## Why Migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online?

Migrating helps modernize your accounting and streamline workflows.

### Key Benefits of QuickBooks Online

- **Anywhere Access:** Work from any device, anytime
- **Automatic Updates:** No version upgrades or maintenance
- **Cloud Security:** Encrypted data with automatic backups
- **Multi-User Collaboration:** No hosting or VPN required
- **App Integrations:** Payroll, inventory, CRM, eCommerce apps

> **Expert Insight:**
> Many Premier users migrate to QuickBooks Online to reduce IT costs and improve team collaboration.

## Choosing the Right QuickBooks Online Plan After Migration

QuickBooks Premier users typically migrate to:

- **QuickBooks Online Essentials** – Service-based businesses
- **QuickBooks Online Plus** – Inventory and job costing
- **QuickBooks Online Advanced** – Larger teams and advanced reporting

**Tip:** If you use inventory or job costing in Premier, choose **QuickBooks Online Plus or Advanced**.

## Before You Migrate: Preparation Checklist

Preparation is critical for a smooth migration.

### Pre-Migration Checklist

- ✔ Update QuickBooks Premier to the latest release
- ✔ Log in as **Admin**
- ✔ Switch to **Single-User Mode**
- ✔ Back up your company file
- ✔ Reconcile bank and credit card accounts
- ✔ Clean inactive customers, vendors, and items
- ✔ Review industry-specific features

## How to Migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online?

### Step 1: Open QuickBooks Premier
Sign in as admin and open your company file.

### Step 2: Start the Export Tool
Go to:
`Company > Export Company File > To QuickBooks Online`

### Step 3: Sign In to QuickBooks Online
Log in with your existing QBO account or create a new one.

### Step 4: Choose Data to Migrate
Select:
- All historical data, or
- Lists and balances only

### Step 5: Complete the Migration
Your data uploads securely to QuickBooks Online.
⏳ Migration time depends on file size and complexity.

## What Data Transfers to QuickBooks Online?

### Data That Migrates

- Chart of accounts
- Customers and vendors
- Products and services
- Invoices, estimates, and bills
- Payments and deposits
- Bank transactions

### Data That May Not Transfer

- Payroll history details
- Audit trail
- Sales tax payment history
- Custom reports and templates
- Industry-specific Premier features

**Recommendation:** Export non-migrating data for records and compliance.

## Common Migration Challenges and Solutions

### Industry-Specific Feature Gaps
➡ Use QuickBooks Online Advanced or third-party apps

### Inventory Quantity Differences
➡ Adjust inventory after migration

### Large File Size
➡ Condense historical data or remove inactive lists

## Real-World Example

**Scenario:**
A construction company using QuickBooks Premier needed better remote access and collaboration.

**Solution:**
They migrated to **QuickBooks Online Plus**.

**Results:**
- Real-time access from job sites
- Improved inventory tracking
- Reduced IT and hosting costs

## Post-Migration Best Practices

- Reconnect bank and credit card feeds
- Review opening balances
- Set user roles and permissions
- Customize reports and dashboards
- Integrate apps for payroll and job costing

## 🚀 Need Help Migrating from QuickBooks Premier?

**Talk to a QuickBooks Migration Specialist**
📞 **Call: 866-593-4750**
Avoid errors, downtime, and data loss with expert support.

## FAQs: QuickBooks Premier to Online Migration

**Q1. Can I migrate QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online myself?**
Yes, many small Premier files can be migrated using Intuit’s export tool.

**Q2. Will I lose data during migration?**
Most accounting data migrates, but payroll history and some Premier-specific features do not.

**Q3. How long does migration take?**
Typically 30 minutes to several hours, depending on file size.

**Q4. Is QuickBooks Online a good replacement for Premier?**
Yes, especially Plus or Advanced plans for inventory and job costing.

**Q5. What if features are missing after migration?**
Third-party apps can replace most Premier-only functionality.

## Conclusion

If you want secure cloud access, real-time collaboration, and lower IT overhead, it’s time to **migrate from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Online**. With the right plan and expert guidance, the transition can be smooth and highly beneficial.

📞 **Call 866-593-4750** today to get professional help with your QuickBooks Premier migration.