How to Fix QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error?

The “QuickBooks Export to Excel Not Working” error occurs when users are unable to export reports or data files from QuickBooks to Microsoft Excel. This issue can manifest as QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) crashing during export, the Excel option appearing greyed out, or Excel failing to open exported files. Common causes include outdated QuickBooks or MS Office versions, incompatible software, incorrect User Account Control (UAC) settings, or corrupted Office installations and cache files.

To resolve the issue efficiently, users should first check system compatibility between QuickBooks and MS Office. Early warning signs include missing export buttons, frozen export attempts, or non-responsive Excel files. This error is reported only in QBDT. However, many QuickBooks Online (QBO) users have also encountered greying out of Export to Excel option. In case you face this error, follow the 7 solutions provided below to resolve the ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ issue in QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online.

Solution 1: Update Your QuickBooks Software

An outdated QuickBooks version might cause features like export to Excel to malfunction. Update QuickBooks by following the steps given below:

1. Launch QuickBooks Desktop on your computer.
2. From the main menu, go to Help > Update QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Complete the update process.
4. Restart QuickBooks and check if the issue is resolved.

Note: Make sure your internet connection is stable during the update.

Solution 2: Temporarily Disable Windows User Account Control (UAC)

Windows often sees QuickBooks as a threat and blocks its actions. Disabling UAC temporarily might help. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Search for UAC and click Change User Account Control Settings.
3. Move the slider to Never Notify.
4. Click OK and restart your computer.
5. Try exporting the report to Excel again.

Solution 3: Use the Correct Export Method

Using the right export steps ensures QuickBooks creates a proper Excel file.

1. Open Customer Center in QuickBooks.
2. Go to the Transaction Pane and select a transaction journal.
3. Pick a specific transaction from the list.
4. Click the Excel button to create a new worksheet.
5. Ensure that you first open the Item List.
6. Go to the Reports menu and select your desired report.
7. Click the Email button.
8. Choose Export to Excel or select the format from the drop-down.

Solution 4: Clear Cache and Intuit-Specific Cookies (For QuickBooks Online)

In case you’re using QuickBooks Online and can’t export to Excel, old cookies or cache could be the issue.

• Use a different browser.
• Or, open a private/incognito window in your current browser.
  • Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
  • Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P
  • Edge: Ctrl + Shift + N

In case exporting works in private mode, clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

1. Click the three dots (More) in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
3. Click See all cookies and site data.
4. Type intuit in the search bar.
5. Click Remove all shown or the trash icon next to each entry.

Solution 5: Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

In case Excel was installed after QuickBooks, the software may not detect it correctly. A clean install can fix this.

Step 1: Download and Install QuickBooks Tool Hub

• Go to the official Intuit website and download QuickBooksToolHub.exe.
• Run the file and follow the instructions to install it.

Step 2: Use the Clean Install Tool

1. Open QuickBooks Tool Hub.
2. Go to the Installation Issues tab.
3. Select Clean Install Tool.
4. Choose your version of QuickBooks and click OK.

Step 3: Reinstall QuickBooks

• Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall and reinstall QuickBooks.
• After reinstallation, check if exporting to Excel works.

Solution 6: Repair Microsoft Office

In case Microsoft Excel is damaged, QuickBooks can’t interact with it properly. Follow these steps to repair MS Office:

Steps for Windows 10:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Apps and Features.
2. Find Microsoft Office in the list and click Modify.
3. Based on your installation type:
   • Click-to-Run: Choose Online Repair, then click Repair.
   • MSI-based: Choose Repair, then click Continue.
4. Follow the on-screen steps and restart your system when done.

Solution 7: Check QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Compatibility

Make sure your version of Microsoft Office is compatible with your version of QuickBooks.

List of Compatible MS Office versions:

For QuickBooks Desktop 2020, compatible MS Office versions include:

• Microsoft Office 2010 SP2
• Office 2013
• Office 2016
• Office 2019 (R3 and later)
• Office 365 (locally installed, not web-based)

Note: The 64-bit version of Excel is supported in newer QuickBooks versions. Avoid using the web version of Office 365.

In case your software versions are incompatible, consider upgrading or downgrading Office or QuickBooks accordingly.

What are the Prerequisites to Fix QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error?

Here are a few guidelines that you must follow before fixing QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error:

• Microsoft Office must be installed before installing QuickBooks to ensure seamless integration.
• Verify QuickBooks Desktop is updated to the latest release to avoid compatibility issues.
• Confirm that your Windows operating system and Microsoft Office are both fully updated.
• Run QuickBooks as an administrator to avoid permission-related errors.

How to Identify QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error?

You will encounter these signs when QuickBooks Error ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error occurs:

• The Excel export button appears greyed out or is unresponsive when attempting to export a report.
• QuickBooks crashes or freezes as soon as you try to export data to Excel.
• You don’t see Excel as an available export option in the reports window.
• Error messages may appear stating that QuickBooks cannot find or access Excel.
• Excel opens without data or in a blank state after exporting.
• You’re unable to select “Export to Excel” even though Excel is properly installed.

How to Prevent QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ Error?

Here are the tips to avoid facing this ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ error in QuickBooks Desktop and Online:

• Install Microsoft Office before installing QuickBooks to avoid integration issues.
• Periodically repair your MS Office installation to fix any hidden corruption.
• Adjust and reset User Account Control (UAC) settings if they interfere with permissions.
• Always use the desktop version of Excel, not the web-based Office 365.
• Clear cache and cookies if using QuickBooks Online.
• Ensure your Excel is functioning correctly and isn’t damaged or corrupted.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ error?

You should consider seeking professional help for the QuickBooks ‘Export to Excel Greyed Out’ error when basic troubleshooting steps don’t fix the issue. Persistent problems such as corrupted company files, repeated file permission errors, or errors occurring across multiple sessions may point to deeper system conflicts. So, get it fixed as soon as possible.