Convert CSV/Excel to QBO and import into Quickbooks

This tutorial shows how to convert a CSV file from your bank or credit card statement to QBO (Web Connect) and import into Quickbooks. We will use the CSV2QBO utility. IMPORTANT: CSV2QBO is now replaced with the ProperConvert app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats.

Step by step instructions for Windows

Follow the steps below for the Windows version, followed by the Mac version.

Make sure you are using the latest version of CSV2QBO. Download it from the CSV2QBO download page. Start CSV2QBO and select a CSV or Excel file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 1: select a CSV file

Review transactions before converting, check that dates are correct, have the correct year, expenses are negative and payments to the account are positive.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 2: review transactions before converting

Click the 'Charges/Withdrawals' are positive if expenses are positive on the CSV file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 3: Charges

Set INTU.BID number to match your bank or use a default value. The INTU.BID value defines the bank label shown during import. You can try to locate your bank, make sure a bank you choose supports the account type you are converting for. Keep the default value if your bank is not listed (3000-Wells Fargo or any allowed bank).

CSV2QBO Windows Step 4: INTU.BID

Set the Account ID (number) and the Account Type. Account ID must be all digits for Quickbooks. For multiple accounts, use a different Account ID for each account.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 5: Account ID, Account Type

Currency should be USD even for non-USD accounts for Quickbooks US edition. For the Canadian edition, you can use USD and CAD. And for the UK edition, GBP currency must be set. If you have non-USD, you have to use another converter, for example, the CSV2IIF converter, which does not have currency and you can import for the non-USD account. CSV2IIF converts to IIF format instead of the QBO format.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 6: currency

You can also set End balance, Bank ID, Branch ID if your accounting software requires it.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 7: Bank ID, Branch ID

Click the 'Convert' button to create a QBO file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 8: click Convert

Confirm the file name and location.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 9: file name and location, save

Import created QBO file into Quickbooks Desktop for Windows

Now the QBO file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks and import created QBO file. Before importing a QBO file make sure that the account you need to import into doesn’t have the yellow strike icon. Click 'Lists' - 'Charts of Accounts'.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 10: chart of Accounts in Quickbooks

Because if you have the icon, it means the account is online linked to direct download. You need to disconnect first to import a QBO file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 11: yellow strike icon in Quickbooks

To disconnect, right-click - 'Edit Account'.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 12: edit Account in Quickbooks

Then click on the 'Bank Feed Settings' and 'Deactivate All Online Services' first if needed. Check there is no yellow icon after the change. After disconnecting the account from online services, you can import a QBO file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 13: deactivate all online services in Quickbooks

To import a QBO file, select 'File' - 'Utilities' - 'Import' - 'Web Connect Files', select created QBO file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 14: file, utilities, import in Quickbooks

And select an existing account to import transactions. Check bank label, Account Type, Account number to select the correct Account in Quickbooks. Then click the 'Continue' button.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 15: select an existing account in Quickbooks

Now your data is imported.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 16: data is imported in Quickbooks

Click on the 'Transaction List' to review transactions. Assign Vendor Records and expense/income accounts before adding transactions to the register.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 17: click on transaction list in Quickbooks

'Downloaded as' column shows Payee names from the QBO file.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 18: downloaded as column in Quickbooks

And the 'Payee' column is empty. It shows Vendor Records. When you choose a Vendor Record, for the Payee from the QBO file, QuickBooks will remember your choice for the next QBO import.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 19: payee column in Quickbooks

Once Vendor Records and Account are set, you can add transactions to the register. The rename rule creation dialog will show up after to use for the next time.

CSV2QBO Windows Step 20: add transactions to the register in Quickbooks

Step by step instructions for macOS

Make sure you are using the latest version of CSV2QBO. Download it from the CSV2QBO download page. Start CSV2QBO and select the CSV or Excel file. IMPORTANT: CSV2QBO is now replaced with the ProperConvert app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 1: select a CSV file

Review transactions before converting, check that dates are correct, have the correct year, expenses are negative and payments to the account are positive.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 2: review transactions before converting

Use the 'Change amount sign' button once per file to revert the sign of amounts.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 3: Change amount sign

Set the Account ID (number) and the Account Type. Account ID must be all digits for Quickbooks. For multiple accounts, use a different Account ID for each account.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 4: Account ID and Account Type

Currency should be USD even for non-USD accounts for Quickbooks US edition. For the Canadian edition, you can use USD and CAD. And for the UK edition, GBP currency must be set. If you have non-USD, you have to use another converter, for example, the CSV2IIF converter, which does not have currency and you can import for the non-USD account. CSV2IIF converts to IIF format instead of the QBO format.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 5: currency

You can also set Balance, Bank ID, Branch ID if your accounting software requires it.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 6: balance

You have to set INTU.BID number to match your bank or use a default value. The INTU.BID value defines the bank label shown during import. It has to be from the allowed bank. You can try to locate your bank, make sure a bank you choose supports the account type you are converting for. Keep the default value if your bank is not listed (3000-Wells Fargo or any allowed bank).

CSV2QBO Mac Step 7: INTU.BID

Click the 'Convert' button to create a QBO file.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 8: click Convert

Confirm the file name and location.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 9: confirm file name and location

Import created QBO file into Quickbooks for macOS

Now the QBO file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks and import created QBO file. Before importing a QBO file make sure that the account you need to import into doesn’t have a blue ball icon. Click 'Lists' - 'Charts of Accounts'.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 10: Chart of Accounts in Quickbooks

If it has a blue ball icon it means the account is online linked to direct download. You need to disconnect first to import a QBO file.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 11: blue ball icon in Quickbooks

To disconnect, right-click - 'Edit Account'.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 12: edit account in Quickbooks

Then click the 'Online Settings' and select 'Not enabled' and click 'Save'.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 13: not enabled in Quickbooks

Then click 'Ok'. Check there is no blue ball after the change.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 14: disabling an account in Quickbooks

To import a QBO file, select 'File' - 'Import' - 'From Web Connect', select created QBO file.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 15: file, import in Quickbooks

And select an existing account to import transactions. It shows the Account ID, Account Type, that you set in CSV2QBO and it offers you to choose an existing account. Click the 'Continue' button.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 16: select an existing account in Quickbooks

Now your data is imported.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 17: data imported in Quickbooks

'Downloaded Payee' column shows Payee names from the QBO file. Assign Vendor Records and expense/income accounts before adding transactions to the register.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 18: downloaded payee in Quickbooks

And the 'Payee' column is empty. It shows Vendor Records. When you choose a Vendor Record, for the Payee from the QBO file, QuickBooks will remember your choice for the next QBO import. Once Vendor Records and Account are set, you can add transactions to the register. The rename rule creation dialog will show up after to using the next time.

CSV2QBO Mac Step 19: payee in Quickbooks

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