Fix export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop by performing simple steps
Are you unable to export to Excel? The option would be grayed out and you wouldn’t be able to select it if there is export to excel issue in QuickBooks Desktop. But don’t worry, this is fixable. If you already have MS Excel installed on your computer but you failed to export reports – all you need to do is install a few updates.
You must also use the version installed on your system in case you are using Microsoft Office 365 and avoid using the web browser version. Besides, you can follow the below-mentioned troubleshooting steps to fix QuickBooks won’t export to Excel issue.
If you are also facing any such issue, then reading this post ahead can be a savior for you. Moreover, as an alternative, you can also contact our support team, where you will get assistance from experts and certified ProAdvisors. Give us a call, and our accounting professionals will be happy to help you.
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Brief into QuickBooks Won’t Export to Excel
QuickBooks users recently reported the QuickBooks not being able to export the data to excel or QuickBooks unable to export to excel. This can be caused if the software is unable to identify the Excel that is installed in the system. This issue generally comes up when the user tries to update the QuickBooks software. In case the update is unsuccessful, this could end up in this error. This error can be resolved by re-registering all the keys with Microsoft by re-installation or by just repairing Microsoft office.

Factors causing the QuickBooks Unable to export to Excel issue
There can be many reasons leading to the error. Below we have mentioned most common factors include:
Causes of QB export to excel issues
There can be certain factors leading to QuickBooks export to excel issues, which are listed below:
- In correct working of file registry Or malfunctioning or damaged MS Excel
- If the QuickBooks application is corrupted or damaged
- Either the QuickBooks is not updated, or the software might be damaged
- In case the file registry doesn’t work in a proper manner
Causes of QuickBooks export issues in Mac
If you are a QuickBooks for Mac user, then the causes for the export to excel issues might differ in your case. Check out the factors leading to such issue below:
- The issues can be caused if the system doesn’t fulfill the required specification for QB software to work
- QuickBooks for Mac 2016 R5 or earlier Mac OS 10.10.2 is needed
- Also, intel core duo or higher is suggested
- 2-4 GB RAM
- At least 250 MB disk space is needed
- QuickBooks payroll needs active internet connection and also requires properly functioning adobe reader so as to print forms
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How to resolve the QuickBooks Won’t Export To Excel?
Checkout the following troubleshooting methods in order to resolve export to excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop:
Step 1: Update QuickBooks Desktop

Keeping your QuickBooks up-to-date can help you avoid many errors, including QuickBooks won’t export to Excel issue. Here is what you need to do after your accounting software is updated:
- Open Reports menu and then any report on the file
- Click on the Excel button and you shall see all export options, including Excel

Move on to the next step if the issue persists.
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Step 2: Check system requirements for QuickBooks
All QuickBooks Desktop versions work with specific versions of Microsoft Office. You must check the system requirements for your QuickBooks version: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
Upgrade your MS Office version if that’s not compatible with your QuickBooks.
If your MS version is already compatible, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Check if Microsoft Office requires repairing
If the above steps failed, then the user can repair the microsoft office, if needed. Here is how you can repair Microsoft Office.
Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1
- Click on the Start button on the screen or the keyboard
- Go to Control Panel and click Programs
- Select Uninstall a Program and click the office product (excel) you need to repair and click Change
- As per the availability of the option, click online repair and then select repair or select repair and then continue
- Follow the prompts on the screen
Windows 10
- Click on the Start button on the screen or the keyboard
- Select the MS Office Product you have to repair and click Modify
- As per the availability of the option, click online repair and then select repair or select repair and then continue
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
Go back into QuickBooks accounting software and try to export a report. If the issue still exists, move on to troubleshooting step 4.
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Step 4: Toggle Windows User Account Controls (UAC)
You can toggle the settings of Windows UAC on and off to reset anything restricting the export feature (Windows 7, 8 and 10).
- Click on the Start menu
- Click on the search box and type User Account Control Settings to open User Account Control Settings
- Choose and move the slider to Never Notify and hit OK

- Restart your computer for changes to take effect
Open QuickBooks and try to export a report. If you succeed, everything is fixed. If not, perform the next step.
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Step 5: Reinstall QuickBooks desktop

Please note that your computer shall have Microsoft Office and Excel already installed before you install QuickBooks. If Microsoft Office isn’t already available, you must uninstall and reinstall QB Desktop.
Go back into QuickBooks and attempt to export a report after reinstalling QuickBooks.
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Step 6: Checking the compatibility of the software with the MS Excel
The user needs to upgrade the QuickBooks and ensure to have the Windows 10 installed on the system. For upgrading QuickBooks, the below steps can be used:
- The very first step is to login the QuickBooks account using correct credentials
- After that, the user needs to purchase the latest version of QuickBooks and then download it to the system.
- Also, carry out the setup and uninstall the versions already installed to prevent technical distress
- Lastly, the user needs to carefully install the upgraded version of QuickBooks software.
Steps to resolve QuickBooks Won’t Export to Excel (For MAC)
For resolving QuickBooks won’t export to excel (For MAC), the user can carry out the steps below:
- The user needs to check whether the system is compatible with the version of excel that is being used
- Also, check if the system meets the specifications needed to work with QuickBooks.
- Another important step is that if the system meets the required specifications, then it is probable that the user might face issue with the installation of excel or QuickBooks
- For verifying the issues doesn’t lie with excel to re-register all the keys with Microsoft by re-installation or by just repairing of Microsoft office. This lets the user to identify that the excel is present on the system
- For checking if the issue lies in QuickBooks installation, the user can go for clean install and get rid of the installation issues
Required Specification for QB software in MAC:
- QuickBooks For Mac 2016 R5 or earlier MAC OS 10.10.2
- Also, intel core duo or higher is recommended
- 2-4 GB RAM is must
- Minimum 250 MB disk space is required
- An active internet connection with a correctly working adobe reader so as to print the forms
Note: It should be considered that the user hasn’t left any of the transaction forms open during exporting the file and report to excel. The user will find that the transaction forms might include invoice, purchase order, and sales order. And in case the user is having a non-transaction form opened then, he/she will find the export to excel function working. It is always recommended to open the item list first and then move to the export function.
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Winding up!
Perform the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article in the provided sequence. You are very likely to be able to get rid of the export to Excel Issue. If you are still facing QuickBooks desktop unable to export to Excel or QuickBooks Excel couldn’t open the data file error then, contact our 24×7 QuickBooks enterprise technical support team for more advanced and precise solutions.
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