Hi there!

Unfortunately, QuickBooks Online doesn’t currently support bulk updating existing Chart of Accounts records through import. The Import feature can only add new accounts — it can’t overwrite or map to existing ones by name or account number.

The “Batch Edit” option in the Chart of Accounts list is the only native tool that allows inline edits for multiple accounts at once, but each field (including account number) must still be entered manually.

If you’re comfortable with third-party tools, some QuickBooks data utilities (such as Transaction Pro) can export, edit, and re-import list data with mapping that updates existing accounts — but always back up your file first, as those tools interact via the API and can’t be undone easily.

Our firm, Lend A Hand Accounting LLC has an Expert QuickBooks API Developer on the Leadership Team!

• So technically, yes - bulk updating via API is possible: but: It requires a script or connector that loops through your accounts with the corresponding IDs from your Excel file.
• QuickBooks Online UI and import tools don’t expose this capability.
• You’d need either a custom integration (via the QBO API and OAuth 2.0 authentication) or a third-party app that supports updating account list data (like Transaction Pro, which is essentially an API wrapper).

For now, a manual update is the only supported approach within QuickBooks Online itself.

–– Regina Pitts – Advanced Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor