Import QIF into Quicken Classic

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To import QIF into Quicken (to import a QIF file into Quicken 2005+, you need to create a correct QIF file and follow the instructions below.

Import QIF file into Quicken Classic (2018+)

Since 2018, Quicken for Windows imports QIF files with less restrictions compared to earlier versions. The account name on the QIF file matching the account name in Quicken is not longer required. Simplly select the account where you want to import the QIF file on the QIF import form in Quicken, and it should import it.

QIF and QFX format

Quicken imports QIF and QFX (Web Connect) files with transactions. Once Quicken becomes three years old, it stops import QFX (Web Connect) files. Investing in a converter that creates QIF files from your CSV or OFX or QFX or QBO files is a good idea because you keep using your Quicken version until you see features worthy upgrade to the new Quicken version.

The QXF format

There are also the QXF files that you do not want. Unlike QFX (Web Connect) and QIF files, QXF replaces the whole data file and can create only from another Quicken that is the same year and the same platform (PC/Mac) as you have. QIF and QFX (web connect) files add transactions to your Quicken file, not replace them.

Yes, Quicken says QIF files are not supported, but yes, QIF files correctly prepared are importable directly into bank or credit account in Quicken. Import QIF into Quicken gives you the ability to supply transactions, as QFX (Web Connect) format does not provide them.

QIF files should be created either by the ProperConvert app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats, CSV2QIF - CSV to QIF converter - or Bank2QIF - Bank to QIF Converter - or PDF2QIF - you can use Bank2QIF to ‘fix’ your QIF as well.

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:

Start Quicken and click File, then File Import, then QIF file.
On the import screen, select from the account drop-down list. Ignore the Quicken message about QIF limitations.
Review your imported transactions (Done!).

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:

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.
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.
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.
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:

Full, Backup, or Correct QIF files;
'Incorrect' QIF files, usually downloaded from your Online banking. And you can use the ProperConvert app to convert such QIF files to the correct ones.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 1: types of Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 2: file import in Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 3: click browse in Quicken

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.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 4: checking in Quicken

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.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 5: Account Name in Quicken

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.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 6: click Import in Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 7: transactions imported in Quicken

Transactions are not in the register yet.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 8: transactions are not in register in Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 9: preferences in Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 10: edit preferences in Quicken

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

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 11: accept all in Quicken

Now transactions are in the register.

IMPORTQIFQUICKEN Windows Step 12: transactions are in the register in Quicken