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.
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:
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.
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!). This tutorial goes through a process of importing a QIF file into Quicken. It is using an older Quicken version and retired converter app, but is applicable to the current Quicken version and the current converter app:
The QIF import process was improved since Quicken 2018 and later, Quicken for Windows "officially" imports QIF files
Quicken 2018 or later imports QIF files in all editions including the Starter edition
Quicken 2017 or earlier requires the Deluxe edition to import QIF files and QIF files must be correctly created with the account name entered during the conversion
This tutorial works also on Quicken 2016 Deluxe, Quicken 2017 Deluxe, or higher editions, like Home Business or another one. It doesn't work on the Quicken Starter Edition. If you have Quicken 2005-2014 you may use this tutorial, as well.
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 'Accept All' button.
Now transactions are in the register.
The message means your QIF file is missing the account header and your QIF file is not a 'correct' QIF Quicken file. You can import into a cash account and then move transactions (cut and paste transactions) under another account.
Quicken shows a message "Account must be selected" for a selected QIF file for the following cases: