How to Import a QIF file into Quicken Classic

To import QIF into Quicken Classic, depending on the Quicken version year, you need to create a correct variation of the QIF file and follow the instructions below.

Import QIF file into Quicken Classic (2018+)

Since 2018, Quicken for Windows has imported QIF files with fewer restrictions compared to earlier versions. The account name on the QIF file matching the account name in Quicken is no longer required. Select the account where you want to import the QIF file on the QIF import form in Quicken, and it should import it.

Import QIF into Quicken 2005-2017

Quicken 2005-2017 imports QIF files fine for all account types. Your QIF file must be correctly created to import directly into an account you need it to import, and CSV2QIF helps you create such QIF files.

When you convert a CSV file to QIF using the ProperConvert app, enter the account name exactly as you have in Quicken and select the account type (Bank for checking and savings accounts, CCard for credit card accounts, Invest for investment accounts).

When you convert a bank file (OFX, QFX, QIF, QBO) to QIF, load the file and click on the QIF tab on the right sidebar and enter the account name as you have in Quicken for each listed account.

Once you saved the QIF file, do the following:

How to import a QIF file into Quicken 2017

Import a QIF file into Quicken (2017 or earlier) for Windows

Quicken Interchange Format (QIF) is a file format that is specifically designed to transfer financial data between different software programs, including personal finance management tools like Quicken. There are several reasons why QIF may be a better choice for importing data into Quicken compared to other file formats:

  1. Compatibility: QIF is specifically designed to be compatible with Quicken and other personal finance management software. This means that it can easily be imported into Quicken without any issues or errors. Other file formats, such as CSV (Comma Separated Values), may not be as compatible with Quicken and may require additional steps or conversions in order to be imported.
  2. Ease of use: QIF files are relatively easy to use and do not require any special software or technical skills to import into Quicken. As long as you have a QIF file and access to Quicken, you can import the data with just a few clicks.
  3. Data integrity: QIF files are designed to maintain the integrity of financial data during the import process. This means that the data in the QIF file will be imported into Quicken exactly as it appears in the file, without any loss of information or formatting errors.
  4. Customization: QIF files allow users to customize the data that is imported into Quicken. For example, you can choose to import only certain types of transactions or specify the date range for the imported data. This can be useful if you only want to import specific types of financial information into Quicken.

This tutorial works also on Quicken 2005-2017 Deluxe or higher editions, like Home Business. It doesn't work on the Quicken Starter Edition.

There are two types of QIF files:

Now to import a QIF file into Quicken click 'File' - 'File Import' - 'QIF File'.

Then click the 'Browse' button and select a QIF file.

In our case, we have a Checking Account Name. We can not select it in the 'Quicken account to import into' Tab. We have only 'All Accounts', that's what we must select.

A QIF file has an Account Name, as part of the QIF file. When you are using ProperSoft converter you have to enter that Account Name before converting to a QIF file. In this case, we have a Checking Account and we enter the Account Name, as Checking.

You can ignore 'Don't see your account?' (QIF import is not available for checking, savings, credit cards, 401(k) and all other brokerage accounts) as long as you select 'All Accounts'. To import a QIF file, click the 'Import' button.

All transactions are successfully imported. Click the 'Done' button.

Transactions are not in the register yet.

Review transactions before adding to the register. Click 'Edit' - 'Preferences'.

Edit 'Downloaded transactions preferences'. 'Automatically add to banking registers' and 'Automatically add to investment transaction lists' must be unchecked.

And when you like, what you see, you can accept all transactions. Click on the 'Accept All' button.

Now, the transactions are in the register.

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