Import Intuit Interchange Format (.iif) files

Intuit Interchange Format (.iif) files are text files that QuickBooks uses to import and export data. You will find the QuickBooks .iif import and export utilities on the File menu in the program.

Importing and exporting .iif files created by QuickBooks is fairly easy because QuickBooks formats the file for you.

However, creating .iif files from scratch or adapting data from another program is technically complex and may be difficult if you don't have experience formatting delimited text files. In that situation it may be faster and easier to enter the information directly into QuickBooks unless you have very large amounts of data to import. 

Ready to get started?

The import kit is probably a good choice if you think you're ready. The detailed .iif header information may help, too. If you're not sure, you can also look at the next section for more information.

Importing information through .iif format can be tough so you should:

• Backup your company file.
   
• Use one of the sample company files to test your results.
  

Download the IIF import kit to save time and improve your results

The QuickBooks IIF Import Kit is a reference guide for creating and working with IIF import files. It contains the following components:

• IIF Import Manual: A .pdf document that outlines common .iif pitfalls and best practices

• IIF Header Help: The column headings used to import list data

• IIF Example Files: A folder that contains version-specific .iif transaction examples

Note: A similar reference guide for importing Microsoft Excel and CSV files is also available.

Install the QuickBooks IIF Import Kit:

1. Download the kit: 
2. Click the Save button and save the IIF_Import_Kit.zip file to your Windows desktop.
3. Use WinZip or a compatible file compression utility to extract the contents of the downloaded file. The contents will automatically extract into a sub folder called IIF Import Kit.
4. Open the IIF Import Kit folder to view its contents.

You may also wish to download the sample .iif files below

These downloads contain sample Intuit Interchange Format (IIF) files that you can download to practice or use as templates for importing transactions into QuickBooks.

Using the sample IIF files:

• Recommended: a spreadsheet program that supports a tab-delimited format, such as Microsoft Excel:
  • the data will appear in columns that are easier to read and edit.
  • Opening the sample files in any text editor is much more difficult..
• Use the sample IIF files as templates for your own data:
  • Correct IIF format must be followed exactly to ensure your transactions import successfully.
  • Using the sample files as templates gives you a head start on doing it right.
• Importing IIF files into QuickBooks provides only limited error checking:
  • Incorrect format may lead to an error or the data will import incorrectly - with no error.
  • Always check your data carefully after importing to ensure it is complete and accurate.
• Each downloadable .zip file contains:
  • A full set of sample IIF files with transaction data only.
  • A sample company file backup you can restore in QuickBooks to practice importing transactions.
• The downloads are available in two versions--one that uses sales tax, and one that does not:
  • Download iif1.zip - If you have the Sales tax preference ON
  • Download iif2.zip - If you have the Sales tax preference OFF

To download sample IIF files:

1. Click the link to a sample file.
2. Click Save in the file download window.
3. Save the file to a convenient location on your computer's hard drive, such as your Desktop.
4. Use WinZip or a compatible file compression utility to extract the contents of the downloaded file. Be sure you note into which folder you extract the files so you can find them.

Individual sample IIF files:

• Contain a single IIF file and a "read me" text file.
• Contain both transaction data and the associated list data (account, customer, item, etc.), which shows how you can combine different types of data in one IIF file.
• Can be used with the sample company file backup to practice importing. Download the company file separately and restore it in QuickBooks.

Transaction Type	File Name
Bill	bill.iif
Bill payment by check	bill_payment.iif
Bill payment by credit card	bill_paymentcc.iif
Bill credit	bill_credit.iif
Cash sales with tax1	cash_sales_with_tax.iif
Cash sales without tax	cash.iif
Check affecting an account	check.iif
Credit card refund	credit_card_refund.iif
Credit memo	credit_memo.iif
Credit memo with sales tax charged	credit_memo_with_sales_tax.iif
Customer payment	customer_payment.iif
Deposit	deposit.iif
Estimate	estimate.iif
Estimate with sales tax charged	estimate_with_sales_tax.iif
Invoice with sales tax1 charged	invoice_sales_tax_charged.iif
Invoice with sales tax and group items	groupitem_with_salestax.iif
Invoice with no sales tax (sales tax preference off)	invoice.iif
Invoice with no sales tax and group items	groupitem_without_salestax.iif
Item receipt	item_receipt.iif
General journal entry	journal.iif
Purchase order	purchase_order.iif
Sales tax payment	sales_tax_payment.iif
Statement charge	statement_charge.iif
Transfer	transfer.iif
Sample company file backup with sales tax turned OFF	iif_sample_company_file_no_tax.qbb
Sample company file backup with sales tax turned ON	iif_sample_company_file_with_tax.qbb

¹If you have the Sales Tax preference turned on in your company file, download the .iif file with tax even if you are not charging tax on all your transactions (enter a zero in the sales tax column for transactions without tax).

Important: Be sure all accounts in your .iif file are created in QuickBooks before importing. If you import a transaction with an account that is not already created in the QuickBooks data file, that account will be created as a new bank account.

Detailed information about .iif headers

The file headers in an IIF file tell the program how to import the type of data that follows (i.e. a customer list or a transaction). Each header specifically defines a field in the company file. The file headers are in rows that begin with an exclamation point. The first column in the header must contain a keyword.

Header placement

In a list import file, the file headers line is usually located in the first row. In the example below for a customer list, the file headers line starts with !CUST.

	A	B	C	D
1	!CUST	New Cell	BADDR1	BADDR2
2	New Cell	Abercrombie, Kristy	Kristy Abercrombie	123 Placido Terrace
3	CUST	Courtney, Ed	Courtney Tool Design	5223 Hesse Drive

In a transaction import file, there are usually three file header lines that occupy the first, second, and third rows (row 1, 2, and 3 in the example below). The example below shows a check transaction in an IIF file. The file headers lines begin with !TRNS, !SPL, and !ENDTRNS.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
1	!TRNS	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	CLASS	AMOUNT
2	!SPL	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	CLASS	AMOUNT
3	!ENDTRNS
4	TRNS	CHECK	3/3/2010	Main Checking	ArchCo Gas		-70
5	SPL	CHECK	3/3/2010	Fuel	Courtney, Ed		10
6	SPL	CHECK	3/3/2010	Auto Repair			60
7	ENDTRNS

How to use IIF headers

Note: The correct spelling and placement of these file headers are required to prevent errors during import. Also, not all file headers are necessary in an IIF file in order to import transactions successfully into QuickBooks. Several examples are available in the IIF Import Kit. For more information:

1. From the QuickBooks Help menu, choose QuickBooks Help.
2. Click the Search tab
3. Type IIF file format, and click the Start Search arrow.
4. Select Reference guide to import files.

When you export a list from an existing company, QuickBooks creates an export file header:

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
1	!HDR	PROD	VER	REL	IIFVER	DATE	TIME	ACCTNT	ACCNTNT SPLITTIME
2	HDR	QuickBooks Premier	Version 20.0D	Release R6	1	1/1/2010	79423 6875	N

Need more information?

Importing and exporting data using .iif format can be very tricky. Learn more about .iif format:

What you can do with iif files:

• Export lists from one QuickBooks company file and import them into another
  
• Import transactions into QuickBooks from another program
  
• Import QuickBooks Timer activities into a company file
  
• Share data between different QuickBooks editions and platforms (such as Pro, Premier, and Enterprise, or between Windows and Mac)
  

Lists you can import

Chart of Accounts	Customer:Job	Vendor
Employee	Other Names List	Customer Type
Vendor Type	Class	Job Type
Item	Payment Terms	Payment Method
Shipping Method	Customer Message	Budgets
To Do Notes	Sales Rep	Price Level
Sales Tax Code

Transactions you can import

Account beginning balances	Vendor bills	Vendor bill refunds
Cash sales to customers	Cash refunds to customers	Credit card refunds to customers
Checks	Credit card transactions	Credit memos to customers
Deposits	Estimates	General journal entries
Invoices	Payments from customers	Purchase orders
Account transfers of funds

Limitations

• Imported .iif files do not create links between transactions. For example, if one transaction is an invoice and another transaction is a payment for the invoice, the transactions will not be linked after importing the data. In this example you must open the payment in the Receive Payments window and apply it to the invoice after importing the data. If you need an import solution that links transactions, refer to the Intuit Marketplace for a listing of third-party QuickBooks developers.

• You must be in single-user mode to import or export data. This is to prevent other users from accessing data as it is being imported.

• You must be logged in as the Admin user. The QuickBooks administrator is the only user that can import or export data. If you have not created users and roles in your company file, you are logged in as the Admin user by default.

• Payroll data cannot be imported or exported.

• Transactions can be imported but not exported. You can only export lists. However, you can import both lists and transactions.

• The amount of imported data. Refer to Maximum number of list items and transactions QuickBooks can process for details.

Technical Support

Intuit does not offer assisted technical support for creating or importing IIF files. However, there are resources available if you need help:

• Browse, search, or post a question in the QuickBooks Community Forum: Importing and Exporting Data.
• If the IIF file was created by a third-party application, contact the application's technical support department.
• Refer to the documentation provided with the import kit.

Additional Resources

• Browse, search, or post a question in the QuickBooks Community Forum: Importing and Exporting Data.
  
• Search the QuickBooks knowledge base, which also includes In-Product Help.