Import CSV or Excel into Quicken: convert CSV or Excel to QIF

Quicken imports QFX, QIF and CSV files. Convert your CSV or Excel file to QIF first, then import it. Read the full Quicken import guide.

extract transaction data from CSV files

What is a CSV file

CSV (comma-separated values) is a plain text file with one transaction per row and columns for date, amount, description and other fields. Every bank and payment service uses its own column names and layout, so no two CSV files look exactly the same. An Excel file (XLS or XLSX) works the same way here.

CSV column mapping

Different CSV files use different column names. A PayPal export uses different headers than a bank export. ProperConvert detects the columns automatically in most cases. If your CSV has unusual column names or splits amounts into separate debit and credit columns, use the manual mapping option to tell the app which column contains which value. Once mapped, the app remembers the layout for the next file from the same source. See CSV column mapping.

Can any CSV file be converted?

Most bank and credit card CSV files can be converted. The file needs at least a date column and an amount column. Files that put deposits and withdrawals in separate columns, or use unusual date formats, may need manual column mapping before converting. Remove any summary rows above or below the transactions.

What is a QIF file

QIF is an older plain text format for transactions, with a line for each date, amount, payee, memo, check number and category. It has no transaction IDs and no currency, and every Quicken for Windows version can import it. More about QIF.

Why convert CSV to QIF

QIF keeps your categories, which QFX can't do, so it suits a spreadsheet where you have already assigned them. It is also the way to import into a Quicken version too old for QFX. QIF needs each row's date, amount, payee, memo, check number and category, so those are the columns to map. There are no transaction IDs, so import each period only once.

Before you import: back up Quicken

Back up your Quicken data file before you import any file, so you can restore it if the transactions come in wrong.

Step by step: convert CSV or Excel to QIF

  1. Download, install and start ProperConvert. The trial is free.
  2. Open your CSV or Excel file.
  3. Review the transactions to see how the app read your file. Check that the dates are correct, and that expenses are negative and deposits (payments to the account) are positive. The "Change +/-" button reverses the signs for the whole file, for bank and credit card accounts alike.
  4. Set the QIF settings below.
  5. Click Convert, then confirm the file name and location.

Set the QIF output settings

In the QIF tab on the right sidebar, set:

See all QIF settings.

Import the QIF file into Quicken

QIF works in Quicken for Windows only; Quicken for Mac doesn't import it. It doesn't check for duplicates, so import each period once.

In Quicken Classic (2018 and later):

  1. Click File > File Import > QIF File and select the file.
  2. Select the account to import into from the drop-down list.
  3. Click Import and review the transactions.

In Quicken 2005-2017 (Deluxe edition or higher):

  1. Click File > File Import > QIF File, click Browse, and select the file.
  2. In "Quicken account to import into", select All Accounts. The file already names the account.
  3. Click Import, then Done. Review the transactions and click Accept All.

QIF transactions imported into Quicken

Quicken QIF questions

QFX or QIF for Quicken for Windows?

QIF when categories should come in with the transactions, or when Quicken is older than three years. QFX when the transactions should go into an account that already receives downloads and categories will be assigned by rules.

Can I import transactions into a discontinued Quicken?

Yes, as QIF. Quicken 2017 and earlier no longer accept QFX; convert the QFX or other file to QIF and import it.

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