Troubleshoot Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop

Your QuickBooks data cannot import or export the desired information to Excel or from Excel. Let’s start our article about the export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop for (Windows or MAC) which means the export to Excel option is grayed out.

Every organization has a different system. Although, Excel records have been used for more than a decade and are still being used to keep things streamlined. The best part is Excel is compatible with all platforms. But at times, there might be a possibility that will bring you to the compatibility factor. What once was with you, there are slim chances of that version to come back. We also have seen that at times, your QuickBooks account does not give you the option to choose the Excel datasheet to import.

Causes Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop

This export to Excel option being grayed in QuickBooks out may arise from various factors: absence of MS Excel, Excel damage, network installation, or file registry malfunction.

MS Excel not installed
MS Excel is installed over a network
Corrupted or Damaged MS Excel
Damaged files of QuickBooks
Not using QuickBooks updated version
The file registry is not correctly working.

How to Troubleshoot Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop

However, with QuickBooks, you get several other things to fix the export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop for (Windows or MAC). If you wish to import or export through Excel to QuickBooks and it looks greyed out, you need not worry. All your bills, invoices, cash memos, expenses, etc., will be in one place, even if it is part of greyed-out Excel. Just a few clicks and a few updates will do the trick and you will be able to overcome this limitation.

How to Troubleshoot Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows

The most common method to fix the export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows is re-registering the Microsoft keys by re-installing or simply repairing the Microsoft Office.

Step I: First, you need to ensure that your QuickBooks version is up to date

First Go to the Help menu.
Then select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
After that select Update Now, then select Get Updates.
Open QuickBooks and export a report, after you update.
You have to go to the Reports menu and then you have to open any report on the list.
Then you have to select the Excel button. Including Excel, all export options, should be available.

Step II: Compatibility with MS Office

You need to check the compatibility and then upgrade your MS Office on your computer accordingly.

Step III: Check QuickBooks system requirements

With specific versions of Microsoft Office, each version of QuickBooks Desktop works.
You can check the system requirements for your version of QuickBooks from 2011 to 2024.
You will need to upgrade if your version of Microsoft Office isn’t Compatible.

Step IV: Repair Microsoft Office

You have to right-click the Start button that is in the lower-left corner, and then you have to select Apps and Features on the pop-up menu.
Select the Microsoft Office product that you want to repair and then you have to select Modify.
Depending on the case of your copy of Office being a Click-to-run or MSI-based install, you will see the following options to proceed with the repair.
For your installation type, you have to follow the steps.
Follow the steps that are visible on the screen to complete the repair.

Step V: Toggle Windows UAC (User Account Control)

Turn on and off the Windows UAC settings. This should reset anything that is blocking the export feature.

Open the Windows Start menu.
Then open User Account Control Settings by typing User Account Control Settings into the search bar.
Select and move the slider to Never Notify and then select OK.
Select OK next then restart your computer.

Everything is fixed if you can export a report. If you are unable to, go to the next steps.

Step VI: Reinstall QuickBooks

You must first install Microsoft Office and Excel on your computer before you can install QuickBooks. Install QuickBooks Desktop again if you didn’t previously install Microsoft Office. Once finished then you have to return to QuickBooks and export a report. If you’re still having trouble, you might need to remove Excel and reinstall it by following Microsoft’s instructions.

Troubleshoot Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop for MAC

When the system failed to fulfill the needed specification to operate QuickBooks, then the export issue in MAC might take place. Here is the required specification.

• QuickBooks for Mac 2016 R5 or Mac OS 10.10.2 is required
• Intel Core Duo or advanced is recommended
• 2.4 GB RAM needed
• Minimum 250 MB disk space is needed
• Required active internet connection with functioning adobe readers for printing forms.

Resolution steps

Firstly verify whether the system is compatible with the Excel version you are accessing.
After this, check the system to see whether it meets the required minimum specification needed to work with accounting software.
If the system meets the needed specifications, then there might be the chances of installation issues with QuickBooks or Excel.
To verify the error, whether it does not appear due to Excel, there is a need to re-register the Microsoft keys by performing a re-installation or repair of Microsoft Office. Once done, it will allow QuickBooks to identify the Excel application on the system.
Verifying the installation issue requires a clean installation to rectify QuickBooks’ major installation issues.

May be useful- Export an Invoice from QuickBooks to Excel in a .CSV Format

In case you still face export to Excel issues in QuickBooks Desktop you can approach the QuickBooks error support. The QuickBooks experts provide an immediate feasible solution through phone, email, or online chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you enable export to Excel in QuickBooks?

● Select Reports under Business Overview.
● Find the report you want to export, then choose it.
● Select the Export icon from the report’s top menu.
● Select Export to Excel after that.

What if my QuickBooks report is exported to Excel?

For a long time leading to the error, the latest software updates have not been installed from a long time. MS Excel software is corrupted. Sometimes Windows User Account Controls settings can also create issues exporting files in Excel from QuickBooks.

How do you fix export to Excel?

● First, you have to go to Apps and Features in Windows and then you have to find the Microsoft Office entry.
● Then you have to select the entry and choose edit.
● Now you have to select the Quick Repair option and then click Repair.
● In case Excel exporting still doesn’t work then you can also try Online Repair.
● You can save any open unfinished work and then you can restart the computer when convenient.

What are the reasons for QuickBooks freezes when exporting to Excel?

Below are the top three causes that we have found at the time when QuickBooks crashes.
● One or more accounts use the same description as QuickBooks, but the accounting type is different than that of QuickBooks.
● The accounting CS account number does not match with QuickBooks accounts.
● So it does not recognize the accounts that are used for exporting the transactions.
● To avoid such conditions one should manually add the accounts in QuickBooks.
● The accounts and explanations in Accounting CS and those in QuickBooks do not match.

May be useful-Export Customer List from QuickBooks to Excel

Troubleshoot Export to Excel Issues in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows or MAC