Benefits of the QuickBooks Online Advanced Desktop App & How to Install It

Did you know that QuickBooks Online has a desktop app that allows you to open and use your software outside of a browser? That’s right! QuickBooks Online comes with a dedicated desktop app that lets you access your QuickBooks Online account directly from your desktop computer. For Simple Start, Plus, and Essentials users, they can download and install the app using an executable file provided by QuickBooks. However, QuickBooks Online Advanced users can easily install the app right from their QuickBooks Online account. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the QuickBooks Online Advanced Desktop app and highlight how it can help Advanced users improve efficiency and productivity. We’ll also show you how to install it straight from your QuickBooks Advanced account. 

What is the QuickBooks Online Advanced Desktop App?

The QuickBooks Online Advanced desktop app is a standalone desktop application that offers an alternative way to access and work with QuickBooks Online, providing users with a dedicated desktop interface and additional features. The app is designed for both Microsoft and Mac users, and it offers a range of innovative navigation and workflow enhancements. Once it’s installed on your computer, you can enjoy a more streamlined and efficient experience compared to accessing QuickBooks Online through a web browser.

Benefits of the QuickBooks Online Advanced Desktop App

Enhanced Navigation and Workflow

The QuickBooks Online Advanced desktop app introduces multi-tab and company switcher features that revamp the navigation experience for users. By offering a multi-tab interface, the app allows power users, who spend several hours working on QuickBooks Online, to access and manage multiple tasks simultaneously easily. The multi-tab functionality eliminates the need to navigate back and forth between different features, enabling users to switch seamlessly between tasks, thus saving valuable time and effort.

Additionally, the company switcher feature provides the ability to access multiple QuickBooks Online companies in one go without having to reload each company individually. This feature is especially beneficial for accountants, bookkeepers, and ProAdvisors who handle multiple clients and need to switch between their respective QuickBooks accounts efficiently. Regardless of the version of QuickBooks Online used by the clients, the Advanced Desktop app offers a unified platform for managing and coordinating all client accounts seamlessly.

Extended Login Duration (Up to 6 Months)

Unlike accessing QuickBooks Advanced through a web browser, you can stay logged in for up to six months unless you choose to log out manually. This feature eliminates the need for frequent sign-ins, providing uninterrupted access to QuickBooks Online as frequently as necessary. With the ability to remain signed in, you can dive into your financial workflows without any additional authentication steps, allowing for a more streamlined and uninterrupted work experience.

Improved Workflow Visualization

The desktop app also features a navigation map view similar to the home page workflows found in QuickBooks Desktop. This visual representation of related steps and processes within the app serves as a roadmap for users, enabling them to navigate their workflows more efficiently. By providing a clear overview of the interconnected tasks and their order, this feature simplifies complex workflows and reduces the likelihood of errors or omissions. You can quickly identify the next step in your financial processes, leading to improved accuracy and speed in completing daily tasks.

Installing the QuickBooks Online Advanced Desktop App

To install the app from your QuickBooks Advanced account, click on the gear icon on your QuickBooks dashboard and then select Get the desktop app under the YOUR COMPANY column, as shown below.

How to get the desktop app of QuickBooks Online Advanced

Next, click Download for Windows if you’re using a Windows computer or Download for Mac if you’re using an Apple device. Once you download the executable file, install it on your computer. After installing the app, QuickBooks will prompt you to enter your login credentials. Use the same email address and password you use to access QuickBooks Online via a web browser. 

Once you log in, QuickBooks Online will ask you whether you want to use an interface that is similar to the QuickBooks Desktop app or use QuickBooks Online’s web interface. If you choose the QuickBooks Desktop app, click Yes, let’s go. 

Option to choose between standard and desktop view in the QuickBooks Online Advanced desktop app

Just like QuickBooks Desktop, your dashboard will use a workflow navigation menu that guides you through different steps and processes within the software. Once you log in, you can now use the app to perform different functions as you normally would in the web browser. However, there are some additional features, such as the ability to stay signed in and access multiple companies simultaneously.

Bottom Line

The QuickBooks Online Advanced desktop app brings valuable features to power users who rely on QuickBooks Online for their financial management needs. With its multi-tab and company switcher capabilities, the app enables you to easily multi-task to improve your productivity further.