Here's how to download your online *.tax2018 data file to continue it in the desktop software.
Open your online return if not already open ("take me to my return.")
Once the return opens, in the left menu column click on TAX TOOLS, then TOOLS.
In the Tools window choose "Save your 2018 return to your computer."
It will ask you where you want to save it. If you have installed the desktop software, then the default location to place data files in the Windows version is in your Documents\TurboTax folder.
Once you have the *.tax2018 data file on your computer, here's how to open it:
Launch your 2018 TurboTax software.
Update your 2018 software by running the program updater.
At the main TurboTax screen click way up in the top left corner of the TurboTax screen on the FILE menu and in the dropdown menu choose "OPEN Tax Return."
You may have to tell TurboTax the location of the file, or it may find it if it's in the default location.
NOTE: If your *.tax2018 data file has state return info in it, then you'll need to download the state program into your desktop software before opening the file, or you'll get an error notice. To download the state program you may have to start a new dummy 2018 return just long enough to download the state.
