8-step guide · Free guided import · AI categorization · Full India GST
Move from desktop Tally to AI-first cloud accounting without losing your history. This guide walks the 8-step switch — export, import, parallel-run, reconcile the Trial Balance, and cut over — with the full India GST stack and an AI bookkeeper that does the data entry for you.
1. From desktop and on-premise to the cloud
Tally runs on a machine in your office — backups are manual, access is tied to that computer, and remote or multi-location work means syncing data files by hand. HelloBooks is cloud-native: your books live online, sync in real time, back up automatically, and open on any browser or phone with the same live data for your whole team and your CA.
2. AI bookkeeping Tally does not have
Tally added native bill OCR in 2026 ("Docs by Ira", phased rollout) and Connected Banking, but as of July 2026 it still does not learn a ledger for your bank transactions — Tally documents no automatic ledger suggestion for unmatched lines and no user-defined matching rules. HelloBooks ships an AI bookkeeper that does the entry for you — it categorizes transactions at 95%+ accuracy, reconciles your bank feed daily, reads bills and receipts by OCR, and drafts month-end for review. Cleanup mode backfills a messy or unreconciled set of books in a single pass.
3. The full India GST stack, cloud-native
HelloBooks ships GST e-invoicing with IRN, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, e-way bills, HSN/SAC validation, GSTIN checks, and TDS (Forms 24Q/26Q/27Q) — the compliance Tally users rely on, delivered in the cloud and kept current automatically rather than via downloaded releases.
4. A free reviewer seat for your CA
Your chartered accountant joins your HelloBooks org on a free reviewer seat — no extra license, no emailing data files back and forth. They review categorization, reconciliation, and returns in the same live books you are working in.
Step 1
Pick your migration mode
Cleanup-then-cutover (recommended): import a copy of your Tally data, run AI cleanup to fix categorization gaps and duplicate ledgers, then cut over. Or parallel-run: keep Tally live for 1–2 weeks while the HelloBooks AI learns your patterns, then switch.
Step 2
Export your data from Tally
In Tally, export your Masters (ledgers, groups, stock items) and Vouchers for the relevant period. Tally exports to XML/Excel; also print or export your Trial Balance, Profit & Loss, and Balance Sheet as of the cutover date as a "ground truth" reference to reconcile against.
Step 3
Sign up free at HelloBooks
Create your HelloBooks account at no cost — the Free Plan includes invoices within 200 transactions/year, full reporting, GST, and bank statement import. No credit card required to start.
Step 4
Import your ledgers and vouchers
Bring your chart of accounts (Tally ledgers and groups), parties (sundry debtors/creditors split into customers and vendors), stock items, and transaction history into HelloBooks. Map Tally groups to the HelloBooks chart of accounts and confirm opening balances.
Step 5
Import your bank statements
Upload your bank statements (PDF or Excel) or forward bank SMS alerts. AI categorization runs against your imported history so your usual ledger postings carry forward without rebuilding rules from scratch.
Step 6
Let the AI learn (1–2 weeks)
Run both systems in parallel while the HelloBooks AI learns your party-wise categorizations and GST tax mappings. Spot-check the first batch of categorizations and correct any mismatches so the AI adapts to your patterns.
Step 7
Reconcile and verify
Run Trial Balance, P&L, and Balance Sheet in both systems as of the cutover date and confirm the totals tie out within rounding tolerance. Reconcile bank accounts in HelloBooks and confirm party balances match Tally.
Step 8
Cut over and archive
Once AI categorization matches your manual postings and reports tie out, switch off Tally as your live system. Keep your Tally data and exports archived for statutory retention (8 years in India). HelloBooks keeps an immutable audit log on every transaction.
Complete these in Tally before you start.
Confirm migration success before cutover.
The HelloBooks migration tool is free and self-serve. For larger entities, multi-godown inventory, or multi-entity consolidation, you can engage a HelloBooks-friendly CA from our directory at hellobooks.ai/find-an-accountant — free public directory, no paid placement.
Tell us a little about your books and our team will send a guided plan — typical switch in 48 hours.
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