Migrate business data - QuickBooks Online to Dynamics 365 Business Central

Background

I attempted migrating from QuickBooks desktop to Dynamics 365 Business Central years ago when I moved my own company off QuickBooks desktop. At that time, I didn't have any success, so I thought I'd give it a try again in Business Central version 20 (preview) to see if I could get it to work. Spoiler alert, I ran into the same error message from years ago however this time around I was able to use Google to assist with solving the issue - keep on reading to learn more about account numbers.

Lessons Learned

  1. Create new company (blank or with production data) prior to migrating data and log into that company before starting the migration. If you miss this step, then the migration tool will try to override information in the current company. I did get a message warning me that customers were already setup, and I had a choice to delete them at that time. I just canceled out of the migration tool and setup a new company and then logged into it and started over. 
  2. Open BC company/environment in a private browser. If you have to start over like I did the login and password for QuickBooks online is saved in your browser. I got around this by opening Business Central in a private browser. 

Migrate Business Data - Assisted Setup

The steps below outline start to finish for migrating data from QuickBooks Online into Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Open the Assisted Setup window within Dynamics 365 Business Central and select Migrate business data. This will start the Data Migration wizard for the migration. Follow the prompts throughout this process. 


In my case I'm using QuickBooks Online, however you can select from Excel workbook or QuickBooks desktop. 





Once you're connected to QuickBooks Online the system will start reading the data to make sure it matches up with Dynamics 365 Business Central requirements. In my case I got the message below and I was able to resolve the issue by reviewing this information: Assign account numbers in QuickBooks Online overview. I ended up having to assign account numbers to my Chart of Accounts. Also any account marked inactive will not be brought into Business Central.

You have at least one account with no account number. Please assign account numbers in QuickBooks and rerun the migration. 


Within QuickBooks Online go to Settings > Account and settings > Advanced. Update the Chart of accounts Enable account numbers.



Once settings are updated go back into the Chart of Accounts to update Number field.



Once I had the account numbers in QuickBooks corrected, I was able to select Reconnect in Dynamics 365 Business Central. This kicked off the migration tool again to compare QuickBooks data to Business Central requirements.


When there are no more account number issues you will proceed with the following windows. These windows are used to setup posting groups within Business Central. You should always verify the posting groups in Business Central prior to going live since not all the fields will be populated by this step.




We've made it to the last step. Verify that the number of records are correct and select the tables you want to migrate over. Click on Migrate and let the system do all the work for you.




Once the migration is completed there will be a General Journal batch named 'QB' that will have all your GL history and subledger beginning balances in for you to review. Once you've completed the review you can post. 

Now what?

Unfortunately, you're not ready to go live just yet. Tons of things need to be reviewed/configured yet. Here is just a short list of examples.
  • Company Information - looks like nothing was migrated from QuickBooks.
  • Customers, vendors, and items - Business Central has a lot of fields that QuickBooks doesn't, so use Edit in Excel to update the fastest. 
  • Review all posting groups for completeness. 
  • Verify subledger balances for customers, vendors, items, bank accounts, etc.
  • Report layout selections for sales, purchasing, bank account, etc. 
If you found this helpful let me know in the comments.

Written by: Kristen Hosman, Microsoft MVP

Comments

Unknown said…
Kristen, thanks for putting this out there... one question though, just to be sure, in parts you mention QBO and in the beginning you say QB Desktop. Can you please just confirm if this was QBO or QB Desktop? Thank you.
Kristen Hosman said…
My article is for QuickBooks Online. I had tried to migrate from QuickBooks Desktop years ago with no success at that time.
Anonymous said…
Thank you for sharing this information. It was extremely helpful.

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