Importing an IIF file into QuickBooks Desktop for Windows & Mac are a way to import transactions or lists directly into QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks company data are organized in a text file that is cross-platform. You can import QuickBooks file easily using below steps.

A QuickBooks IIF file can be opened in Excel or Notepad, but it is exclusive to QuickBooks. Using columns and rows, it contains finance and account-related data. The following instructions explain how to import Intuit Interchange Format (IIF) files to and from QuickBooks Desktop.

Important Points Before you import an IIF file into QuickBooks:

• Imports cannot be undone, so you should back up your company file before proceeding.

• To import transactions, you must first set up Accounts, Items, Names, and Sales Tax Items and Names. There are two ways to do this. If you would like, you can enter the data directly into QuickBooks or you can include codes in your IIF file for importing this information.

• As a result of not setting up this data, some of the data will be incorrect or unusable when you import transactions.

• You cannot change the A/R account to a Type A/R account because it is set up as a Type bank account.

• An invoice cannot use the customer’s name because it is set up as a different name.

• It is not possible to change the type of sales items or sales tax items.

Read More: How to Import Journal Entries from Excel into QuickBooks Desktop?

General Steps to Import transactions (Import QuickBooks file):

• Log in as the Administrator to your data file.

• Switch to single user mode (SU).

• Import IIF files by choosing File > Utilities > Import > IIF Files.

• Navigate to the location of your IIF file and highlight it.

• Simply click the Open button.

• A message appears in QuickBooks confirming the import of your data.

• On the message, click OK.

List from which you can Import .IIF files are:

Chart of Accounts	Items
Employees	Shipping methods
Vendor types	To dos
Notes	Sales tax codes
Customers and customer Job	Other names
Classes	Payment terms
Customer messages	Sales reps
Customer and job types	Vendors
Budgets	Payment methods
Price levels

Read More: How to Import Bank Transactions into QuickBooks Desktop?

Transactions that can Import .IIF files are

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

Read More: How to Import Customers from Another Program in QuickBooks?

About few IIF file import limitations

• There is a limit to the number of items you can import.
• Importing IIF files does not link transactions. After the import, you will still need to link an invoice and an invoice payment.
• Importing assembly items does not allow you to import data in the item’s custom fields.
• Per item price levels can’t be imported.
• IIF files cannot be imported into or exported from QuickBooks in various countries. From the US version of QuickBooks to the Canadian version, for example.
• If you create an IIF import file in Microsoft Excel, you cannot enter numbers with leading zeros. You can format the column cells as Custom as a workaround.

Read More: Unable to Open .IIF file into QuickBooks – How to Fix?

Steps to Import an IIF file into QuickBooks Desktop for Windows

Important: Before importing IIF files, backup your company file. In the event of a problem, your backup can be used to restore your data.

Warring Note: We don’t recommend this method for importing IIF files. Some of the info might not be correct or complete for your books.

• Log in as an admin to your company file.

Note: If Multi-user mode is selected, you must switch to Single-user mode using the File menu.

• Select Utilities from the File menu.
• Select Import IIF from the Import menu.
• To import an IIF file, select Open after selecting the file.
• The import will be confirmed when you select OK.

How to edit an IIF file?

• Go to File and select Open in Microsoft Excel.
• Select All Files from the File type dropdown.
• You can edit an IIF file by selecting it and pressing the Open button.
• Click Next, then Next and Finish in the Text Import Wizard.
• Change your IIF file.
• Select Save from the File menu, then Yes.
• You can now exit Excel. An IIF saving prompt will appear. Then select Don’t Save.

Read More: How to Resolve this issue when QuickBooks won’t export to Excel?

Steps to Import an IIF file into QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

Note: Before you import IIF files, be sure to backup your company file. You can always restore your data from your backup if you ever run into problems. (Get QuickBooks for Mac Support Now)

• Log in as an admin to your company file.
• Select Import from the File menu.
• Export your IIF file by selecting From IIF Files.

Read More: How to Import & Export CSV Files in QuickBooks Desktop or Mac?

The IIF file import feature in QuickBooks allows you to combine data from multiple sources into one view and provide reporting and analytics on the accounts accordingly. The purpose of this blog is to explain what IIF files are, what type of data they contain, and how you can import them into QuickBooks Desktop. Hope you liked the above read.

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