Importing data from a QIF file

The Quicken Interchange Format (QIF) is an open file format used to transfer financial data between software programs. QIF files store data in plain-text, ASCII format, making them easily readable and editable. Each file begins with a header indicating the type of account (e.g., banking, credit card, or investment) and contains detailed transaction records with fields such as dates, amounts, payees, and categories.

Can I import data from a QIF file into a banking or investment account?

Yes. While older versions of Quicken did not have this capability, you can now import any account type using QIF.

See Exporting data from Quicken for information about setting up your export.

Importing a QIF file

To import a QIF file into Quicken for Windows, follow these steps:

1. Back up your Quicken data before importing to avoid accidental changes or data corruption.
2. Go to the File menu in Quicken and select QIF File
3. In the QIF Import window, use the dropdown menu to select the appropriate account. 
4. Browse for and select your QIF file.
5. Select the optional items you want to include (Transactions, Account list, Category list, etc.) These should match the items you included in your Export.
6. Click Import to import the file.
7. Review the imported transactions in the account register for accuracy.
8. Ensure all transactions are correctly categorized, reconciled, and in the appropriate account.