I can provide steps so you can export data to QuickBooks Desktop, @jane.

First, let's open your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) in administrator mode. You only need to right-click the QBDT icon and choose Run as administrator. If it opens a company file, close it. This is to make sure that you're at the main QB screen to choose what company to open.

Next, run the Internet Explorer browser as administrator also. Here's how to do this:

1. Click the Windows icon and search for Internet Explorer.
2. Right-click the IE icon and choose Run as administrator. 

Then, open the IE and turn off the pop-up blocker before you log in to your QuickBooks Online account. To turn it off, you only have to go to the tools icon, choose Internet Options. Navigate to the Privacy tab and uncheck Turn on Pop-up Blocker. 

Once done, prepare to export your QuickBooks Online data. Let me walk you through the steps:

1. In QuickBooks Online, go to Settings and select Export Data.
2. Enter your reason for exporting and click Continue.
3. In the Moving to QuickBooks Desktop section, tap Learn more.
4. In the Download company data section, click Learn more.
5. Hit Get started.
6. Select Install ActiveX Control Now and follow the steps to install ActiveX. When it's finished, tick Continue.
7. Choose the data you want to export and then Continue.
8. Review the limitations and tap Continue.
9. Enter your contact info and then Continue.

You'll receive an email when your data is ready to export. This usually takes a few minutes and may take up to 2 hours for companies with many transactions.

To finish exporting your data, please proceed to Step 4 to 5 of this article: Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop. 

However, if you still can't export your data to QuickBooks Desktop, I suggest reaching out to our technical support team to check what causes the odd behavior of the system. They will also use specific tools to do screen sharing so they can help you export your data. To do so, you may follow the steps provided by my colleague, GraceC.

To know more about how your data converts from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop, please see this link. This also includes those things you need to consider before you convert.

Let me know how it goes and leave a reply below if you have further concerns about exporting your data. I'm always right here to help, @Jane. Take care always.