Turn off the Kirby vacuum by stepping on the switch located behind the base of the upright handle. Depress the height adjustment all the way down to the highest setting.
Press the handle connection latch in front of the upright handle's base and pull the handle from the machine. Pull the power cable from the notches on the side of the handle and set the handle aside. Place the metal connector on the canister handle into the slot previously occupied by the upright handle and press it into place until it locks into the canister.
Lift the cover on the front of the Kirby and pull the head removal arm away from the machine. Rotate the arm counterclockwise to raise the belt from the motor drive shaft.
Rotate the lever holding the cleaning head to the machine clockwise to release the head. Remove the head from the two ledges on the main machine. Set the head aside.
Align the canister hose's larger opening with the front of the Kirby. Rest the two hooks on either side of the hose onto the two ledges on either side of the Kirby's motor intake. Push the top of the hose opening against the machine and rotate the lever at the top of the hose counterclockwise to secure the hose into place. The Kirby is now in canister form and able to be used for above-the-floor cleaning.