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Importing into Quicken with QIF files

Posted on December 9, 2009 at 6:31 PM

Intuit is slowly trying to phase out the use of the QIF file format in place of a newer QFX format.  QFX cannot be supported by applications such as Checkbook.


Why QFX (OFX) cannot be supported

OFX is a format for transmitting financial data.  Quicken does NOT support OFX.  Instead, they use a (slightly) modified version of the format they call QFX (Quicken Financial Exchange).  In short, the reason why Checkbook, and other similar applications, cannot support the QFX format is because Intuit (makers of Quicken) license out a special key that must be present in the QFX file in order to import it into Quicken.  This licensing is given to financial institutions (banks, etc).  Since OFX and QFX are out of the question, the only option left is QIF.


How to import QIF into Quicken

The answer to that question depends on which OS you are running:


Quicken for Mac:

 

  1. Download the .QIF file from the export email.  Mac OS may rename the file to a .vcf.  If this happens, be sure to manually rename it to .QIF.
  2. Open Quicken and navigate to the account you want to import into.
  3. In the menus, find the option that says "Import" or "Import QIF."
  4. Select the QIF file and you should be all set
Quicken for PC
Quicken for PC is a bit trickier because of Intuits move to phase out the QIF format.  There is still a way, however.
  1. Import your QIF file into a temporary "Cash" account.
  2. Move the transactions into the account you want (Checking, Credit, etc.)
To import the transactions into the Cash account, do the following:
  1. Open Quicken and navigate to your temporary Cash account
  2. In the menus, choose the "Import" or "Import QIF" option, and select the downloaded file.
  3. Follow the instructions for importing.

Categories: Exporting