Convert QIF to QBO and Import into QuickBooks

QuickBooks Desktop does not import QIF files directly. If your bank, credit card company, or accounting software provides transactions in QIF format, you need to convert them to QBO format first.

Use the ProperConvert app to convert QIF to QBO on Windows or macOS.

extract transactions from QIF files

Convert QIF files to QBO format

Extracts transactions from QIF files and creates QBO files ready to import into QuickBooks Desktop.
Supports QIF files from banks, credit card companies, investment brokers, and Quicken exports.
Finds transaction details: date, amount, description, check number, memo.
Works on Windows and macOS.
Your files stay on your computer and are not sent anywhere.
Free trial available before purchase.

How to convert QIF to QBO

Step 1: Download and install the ProperConvert app.
Step 2: Start the app and click Browse to open your QIF file.
Step 3: Review the transactions to confirm dates, amounts, and signs are correct.
Step 4: Set the Account ID, Account Type, and INTU.BID value (see notes below).
Step 5: Click Convert and save the QBO file to your computer.
Step 6: Import the created QBO file into QuickBooks Desktop.

QBO settings explained

Before converting, you need to set three values in ProperConvert:

Account ID must be digits only. Use your actual account number or any number you choose. Use the same Account ID each time you convert files for the same account. Use a different Account ID for each separate account.

Account Type must match the account in QuickBooks you plan to import into. QuickBooks only allows a QBO file for a checking account to import into a checking account. A QBO file for a credit card imports only into a credit card account.

INTU.BID is the bank label shown during the QBO import in QuickBooks. Search for your bank in the lookup list. Make sure the bank you select supports your Account Type. If your bank is not listed, use the default value (3000 - Wells Fargo). QuickBooks accepts it.

Currency should be USD for the QuickBooks US edition, even for non-USD accounts. For the Canadian edition, use USD or CAD. For the UK edition, use GBP.

Import QBO file into QuickBooks Desktop on Windows

Before importing, make sure the account in QuickBooks is not connected to online banking. If it shows a yellow icon in the Chart of Accounts, disconnect it first. Right-click the account, choose Edit Account, click Bank Feed Settings, and select Deactivate All Online Services.

To import:

Click File > Utilities > Import > Web Connect Files.
Select the QBO file you created.
Choose an existing account to import into.
Click Continue.
Review the transactions, assign vendor records and accounts, then add them to the register.

Import QBO file into QuickBooks Desktop on macOS

Before importing, make sure the account is not connected to online services. If it shows a blue ball icon in the Chart of Accounts, right-click the account and choose Edit Account. Click Online Settings and set it to Not Enabled.

To import:

Click File > Import > From Web Connect.
Select the QBO file you created.
Choose an existing account to import into.
Click Continue.
Review and accept the imported transactions.

Supported account types

Bank (Checking, Savings, Credit Line).
Credit Card.
Investment.

What is a QIF file?

QIF (Quicken Interchange Format) is an older file format for financial transactions. Banks, credit card companies, and personal finance software like Quicken use it to export transaction data. QuickBooks Desktop cannot import QIF files directly. That is why a conversion to QBO is needed.

Can I convert QIF to QBO for QuickBooks Online?

QuickBooks Online imports CSV, OFX, QFX, QBO files. The best format (most details without much confusion) is the OFX format. You may convert to CSV with the limitation that only date, amount and description will be imported. For OFX/QFX/QBO files, Quickbooks Online imports date, amount, payee, memo, check number and check the unique transaction ID to prevent duplicates for already imported transactions. With QFX and QBO files requiring additional details when bringing the same details as the OFX format, the best option for Quickbooks Online is the OFX format.

The ProperConvert app supports QIF to OFX conversions.

Learn More

QBO - What is QBO (web connect) format
QFX - What is QFX file/format and how to open it?
OFX - What Is OFX File Format and How to Open it?
QIF - What is QIF file/format and how to open it?
Quicken - How To Import QIF or QFX into Quicken
QuickBooks - How to import transactions into Quickbooks
QuickBooks Desktop - How to Import Bank Transactions into QuickBooks Desktop