Last reviewed: 13 November 2026. Not every business starts from Tally, Zoho, QuickBooks or Xero. Many run on Busy, Marg, Sage, older ERP systems, industry software or simply Excel. The test for whether data can be moved is simple: can the old system export it, and can the new one import it? If the answer to both is yes, the migration can be done, whatever the software names.
Part of our accounting data migration series. For the method, cutover choices and compliance points that apply to every migration, start with the accounting data migration guide.
Common sources and what they usually provide
| Source | Typical export | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Busy | Masters and vouchers to Excel; reports | Map to destination masters; import opening balances and open items |
| Marg | Reports and data exports, often pharmacy or distribution data with batch details | Item and batch mapping with stock reconciliation |
| Sage | CSV exports of lists and transactions | Same as QuickBooks or Xero routes |
| Excel books | Ledgers, registers, stock sheets | Clean and structure, then import masters and balances |
| Older ERP or custom software | Database exports or reports | Extract, transform to import templates, reconcile |
How we approach an unfamiliar source
- Review what the source can export, and take sample files.
- Build a field map to the destination's import templates.
- Clean masters: merge duplicates, fill GSTIN or tax IDs, standardise units and item codes.
- Run a test import into a sandbox or trial organisation and reconcile.
- Run the final import at cutover and reconcile again before go-live.
We use in-house mapping and validation templates for each source-destination pair, so record counts and control totals are checked at every stage.
When full history is not practical
If the source exports only reports, the migration can still be done on an opening-balance basis: trial balance, party-wise outstanding and stock as at the cutover date. Historical detail stays in the archived source, which must be kept readable for the statutory retention period. Our cutover checklist sets out how to decide.
Frequently asked questions
Can data be migrated from Busy or Marg to Zoho Books or Tally?
Yes, where Busy or Marg can export masters and transactions or at least reports, the data can be mapped to Zoho Books or TallyPrime import formats and reconciled.
What if my old software has no export function?
Reports such as trial balance, ledgers, outstanding and stock summaries can usually be exported or printed to Excel, which supports an opening-balance migration. Full transaction history may not be practical.
Can books kept in Excel be moved to accounting software?
Yes. Excel ledgers and registers are cleaned and structured into the destination's import templates, starting with masters and opening balances.
Do you need access to my old software?
Access helps, but exported files and reports are often enough. We work from the exports you provide or, with your permission, extract them ourselves.
Is a test migration necessary?
It is strongly advisable. A test import into a sandbox or trial organisation finds mapping problems before the final cutover.
We map your chart of accounts, masters and open items, migrate the data through the destination software's own import tools, and reconcile the trial balance, receivables, payables, stock and tax ledgers before you go live. Migrations from other software are assessed on what it can export and the destination can import; the scope and cutover date are agreed in writing before we start.
Accounting data migrationZoho Books setup and migrationBook a consultation
This article is for general information and does not constitute advice on any specific case. Import and export features, file formats and plan limits of each software change with new releases; the position described is as published by the vendors on the date of review. Software names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to describe the systems involved; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. Firm details: Somesh Chandak & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Unit 119, 1st Floor, Centura Square IT Park, SG Barve Road, Wagle Estate, Thane West 400604. FRN 158694W.