Import a bank CSV into QuickBooks Desktop (IIF)

QuickBooks Desktop for Windows doesn't import bank CSV files. One route is IIF, its tab-separated import format. Each bank line becomes a transaction with two lines: the bank or card account, and the "other side" account, which must add up to zero.

!TRNS	TRNSID	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	AMOUNT	DOCNUM	MEMO	CLEAR
!SPL	SPLID	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	AMOUNT	DOCNUM	MEMO	CLEAR
!ENDTRNS
TRNS		CHECK	11/03/2026	Checking		-4.75		COFFEE SHOP	N
SPL		CHECK	11/03/2026	Meals		4.75		COFFEE SHOP	N
ENDTRNS

• Bank accounts: money out is a CHECK, money in is a DEPOSIT.
• Credit cards: a charge is CREDIT CARD (negative on the card line), a payment or refund is CCARD REFUND (positive).
• The account names must match your chart of accounts exactly. If they don't, QuickBooks creates a new account, sometimes of the wrong type.
• IIF imports go straight into the register with no review screen and no undo. Back up the company file, or test on a copy first.
• A card payment from checking isn't income. Point it at your checking account (or a transfer account) instead of Uncategorized Income.

Converting

Ferrowick CSV Converter writes IIF from any bank CSV or .xlsx, offline. Each line's category, from the file or from your own rules (for example payment thank you => Checking), becomes the other account; uncategorized lines go to Uncategorized Expenses or Uncategorized Income. US$19 once, with no subscription. Try the free demo.

Using QuickBooks Online instead? It doesn't accept IIF. Use the converter's "QuickBooks Online bank upload CSV" option.

Ferrowick CSV Converter