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Convert CSV to IIF for QuickBooks Desktop

Create a QuickBooks Desktop IIF import file from a CSV or Excel file of bank transactions. Pick the bank and offset accounts; download; import.

  • Runs in your browser. The file is never uploaded.
  • Free for 10 files a day. No account.
  • Also writes CSV, Excel, QBO, QFX, OFX, QIF, PDF.
  • Nothing is uploaded: the file stays on your computer
  • Free for 10 files a day, no account
  • Every output format from the same screen

Why CSV to IIF

IIF is QuickBooks Desktop's own tab-separated import format. Unlike a QBO file, an IIF import posts transactions straight to the register, with the account on each line, which is why bookkeepers use it to load opening history or transactions from systems that don't speak OFX. Writing the TRNS and SPL pairs by hand is error-prone: one wrong column and QuickBooks rejects the file or posts to the wrong account.

Importing the IIF file into QuickBooks Desktop

  1. Under Options, type the bank account name exactly as it appears in your Chart of Accounts, and the offset account (for example Uncategorized Expense) to post the other side to.
  2. In QuickBooks Desktop choose File, then Utilities, then Import, then IIF Files. Pick the downloaded file.
  3. Money in becomes a DEPOSIT, money out a CHECK, with the amount and its negative on the SPL line so every transaction balances.
  4. Back up your company file before importing: IIF imports can't be undone in one step.

How the conversion works

1. Read

Columns are detected from the header, or from the content when there is no header: a date column, an amount column or a debit and credit pair, and the longest text column as the description. Day-first dates are recognised.

2. Check

Rows without a readable date and amount are counted and reported, never silently dropped. Totals in and out and the period are shown so you can compare them with the source before importing.

3. Write

A balanced TRNS and SPL pair per transaction, tab-separated, with the account names you choose and CLEAR set to N.

Starting from a PDF statement? The statement converter reads it and checks every row against the printed balance.

Related converters

  • CSV to QBOTurn a bank's CSV export into a QuickBooks Web Connect (.qbo) file in your browser. The file never leaves your computer.
  • QBO to IIFTurn a Web Connect (.qbo) download into a QuickBooks Desktop IIF file that posts straight to the register, with the accounts you choose.
  • Excel to QBODrop an .xlsx of bank transactions and get a QuickBooks Web Connect file, in your browser. Any column order; real dates or text dates.
  • QBO to CSVGet a clean CSV out of a QuickBooks Web Connect (.qbo) file: date, description, amount, debit, credit, check number, memo.

All file converters

Questions

Does IIF work with QuickBooks Online?

No. QuickBooks Online doesn't import IIF files; use the CSV to QBO converter instead.

Can I set a different offset account per row?

Not yet. Every row uses the offset account you choose. Re-categorise in QuickBooks after import, or split your CSV by category and convert each part.

What if the account name doesn't match?

QuickBooks creates a new account with that name, usually as a bank account. Copy the name from your Chart of Accounts to avoid that.