Fix “QuickBooks Excel Couldn’t Open The Data File” or “QuickBooks Won’t Export To Excel”

Are you facing problems when exporting reports, and other forms from QuickBooks to Microsoft Excel? Read this article, if QuickBooks excel could not open the data file, or the QuickBooks won’t export to excel. In this article, we will discuss, why QuickBooks export to excel not working, and how to fix the QuickBooks excel registry exporting issue in different ways. Meanwhile, you can dial our toll-free number+1-844-405-0904 for an instant solution.

Mostly we found this exporting issue in QuickBooks, when we try to upgrade the QuickBooks application, and when we try to export any data or report from QuickBooks to Microsoft excel. Let’s know, the reasons, and solutions for the QuickBooks unable to export to excel error.

What are the Reasons behind the QuickBooks Exporting To Excel Issue

There can be more than one reason for this type of excel, and QuickBooks issue. Let’s check, what are they.

Reasons for QuickBooks Desktop in Windows

  • Damaged MS Excel software.
  • Your QuickBooks Software might be damaged.
  • Your file registry may not be working properly.
  • The software may be unable to recognize excel.
  • Maybe you are using the web browser version if you already have installed Microsoft Office 365 on your system.
  • If QuickBooks is not in the latest version then, you can also face the exporting issue.
  • Your file registry may not work properly.

Reasons for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

  • Maybe the QuickBooks Desktop for mac is not compatible with the Microsoft version that you are using.
  • You may need to use the Mac 2016 R5 or the earlier Mac OS 10.10.2.
  • There may not have enough space, so 2-4 GB RAM and 250 Mb Disk space are required.

How to fix errors when “QuickBooks Excel couldn’t open the data file” Error or “QuickBooks Won’t Export To Excel” for QuickBooks Desktop

There are many solutions to fix the issue, you have to follow the procedures carefully without skipping a single step.

Solution 1: Update QuickBooks Desktop

Before exporting excel, it is very important to have up-to-date QuickBooks. If your QuickBooks is not updated, first you need to update and after that try to export a report:

  • First, go to the Reports menu and open any report on the list.
  • Choose the Excel option. All export choices, including Excel, must be available.
Save, print, or export Reports in QuickBooks Desktop

If after performing these steps, you are still facing the same problem then proceed to the next solution

Solution 2: Check QuickBooks System Requirements

Every version of the QuickBooks Desktop is compatible with Windows, and the particular versions of Microsoft Office. QuickBooks: Verify the system requirements for your version of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. In case, if your version of Microsoft Office is not cooperative then you have to upgrade. Move to the next solution if your MS version is not compatible.

Solution 3: Repair Microsoft Office

Use the following steps to repair MS Office:

If the above two solutions don’t work for you, then you have to repair the Microsoft Office, if required. Here are the steps to repair Microsoft Office.

Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1

  • First, go to the Start button on the screen or you can press the window key on the keyboard.
  • Now, look for the Control Panel or type control panel in the search bar, and in the control panel, look for the programs.
  • Click on Uninstall a Program and later go to the office product (excel) that you want to repair and next click on Change.
  • Now, from the availability of the option, go to the online repair or repair option, later click on repair and next go with the continue.
  • Go with all the on-screen instructions on the screen.

Windows 10

  • First, go to the Start button on the screen or you can press the window key on the keyboard.
  • Click on the MS Office Product you want to repair and later click on Modify.
  • Now, from the availability of the option, go to the online repair or repair option later click on repair and next go with the continue.
  • Go with all the on-screen instructions on the screen.

After completing the above steps QuickBooks accounting software and try to export a report. If the issue still exists, go to troubleshooting step 4.

How to know my Office Click-to-Run or MSI-based?

  • Start any Office application like Outlook or Word.
  • First, go to the File and choose Account or Office Account.
  • If you view an “Update Options” item, you need to click on the Click-to-Run installation. If in case you do not view the “Update Options” item, you have an MSI-based install.

After performing the above steps, go back into QuickBooks and try to export a report. If you are still facing the same issue, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 4: Checking the Compatibility of the Software with the MS Excel

The user requires to upgrade the QuickBooks and assure to have Windows 10 installed on the system. To upgrade QuickBooks, check out the below steps:

  • At very first, you need to log in to the QuickBooks account using accurate credentials (username & Password).
  • Later, the user wants to purchase the latest version of QuickBooks and then download it to the system.
  • Also, complete the setup and uninstall pre-installed versions to prevent a technical crisis
  • Finally, the user needs to install the upgraded version of QuickBooks software carefully.

Solution 5: Toggle Windows User Account Controls (UAC)

Turn your Windows UAC setting on and off. Anything blocking this export feature should be reset.

Note: These below steps are only beneficial for Windows 7, 8, and 10 users.

  • Go to the Windows Start menu and in the search type User Account Control Settings and open User Account Control Settings.
  • Choose and drag the slider to Never Notify and then click on OK.
  • Restart your computer.

After performing the above steps, go back into QuickBooks and try to export a report. If you are still facing the same issue, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 6: Reinstall QuickBooks

Microsoft Office and Excel want to be installed on your computer before installing QuickBooks. If you have not previously installed Microsoft Office, uninstall and reinstall QuickBooks Desktop.

Steps to Resolve QuickBooks Won’t Export to Excel for MAC

Here are the steps to resolve QuickBooks won’t export to Excel for MAC

  • Verify if your computer is compatible with the version of Excel you are using.
  • Check if your system satisfies the specifications required to work with QuickBooks.
  • If your system fits the expected specifications, chances are you may have problems with the installation of Excel or QuickBooks.
  • To validate the problem is not to lie with Microsoft to re-register all keys with Microsoft or to repair Microsoft Office. This lets you identify QuickBooks that Excel is on your computer.
  • A clean install is recommended to get rid of issues with the QuickBooks installation to check if this issue is contained in the QuickBooks installation.

Recommendation: Just make sure you haven’t left any of the transaction forms open during exporting the file and report to excel. You will find that the transaction forms may include invoices, purchase orders, and sales orders.

If you have a non-transaction form opened then you’ll find the Export to Excel function will surely work. An example of the non-transaction form is “The Item List of Chart of Accounts“. That’s why it is always advised to open the Item List first and then go for the export function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions mentioned. Have a look at this:

‘Excel cannot open the data file’ How can I fix this?

This is the common issue generated when users try to export reports from QuickBooks to Excel. Follow the solutions we have mentioned above. We have some other steps, follow these:
1. Restart your computer
2. Open QuickBooks
3. Access the reports and send them to Excel

What Excel reports are available in QuickBooks?

1. Summarize Payroll Data in Excel
2. Payroll Summary by Tax Tracking Type
3. Employee Time & Costs
4. Employee Sick & Vacation History
5. Employee Direct Deposit Listing
6. Tax Form Worksheets
7. Certified Payroll Report
8. Payroll Liability Accruals & Payments
9. Deferred Compensation Report for 401(k) (& more)
10. Local Tax Summary
11. Payroll by Department/Class

How can we export payroll reports into an Excel file?

You can export payroll reports to Excel. Follow the given steps to do so:
1. Click on the Reports menu, click and pull up a report.
2. Click on the Export/Share button.
3. Hit the Export to Excel button.


It’s all about the exporting record issue in QuickBooks. We hope, all of the given solutions will help you to troubleshoot the issue. Still, if you have any queries related to this then you can contact our certified QuickBooks experts for the most reliable solution through this number+1-844-405-0904.

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