QuickBooks IIF Import Format Explained
IIF (Intuit Interchange Format) is a tab-delimited text format that QuickBooks Desktop has supported since its earliest versions. Unlike Web Connect (.qbo), IIF import has never been discontinued and works across all QB Desktop versions — including 2020, 2021, and 2022 after their online services were cut off. To import: go to File → Utilities → Import → IIF Files. You can create .iif files by converting your bank’s .qbo or .ofx file with a free converter.
IIF Format Summary
!TRNS DATE ACCNT NAME AMOUNT MEMO !END TRNS 01/15/2024 Bank Account Grocery Store -150.00 purchase END
What Is the IIF Format?
IIF stands for Intuit Interchange Format. It is a tab-delimited text format that QuickBooks Desktop has supported since its earliest versions. Unlike Web Connect (.qbo), IIF import has never been discontinued and works across all QB Desktop versions.
Since Intuit discontinued Web Connect for QB Desktop 2020, 2021, and 2022, direct .qbo and .ofx imports no longer work for these versions. IIF is the recommended alternative because it is natively supported in all QB Desktop versions, requires no bank connection or authentication, and imports reliably without OL-222 or Web Connect errors.
How to Import an IIF File into QuickBooks Desktop
- Open QuickBooks Desktop
- Go to File → Utilities → Import → IIF Files
- Select your .iif file
- QuickBooks will confirm how many transactions were imported
- That's it. No bank connection required. No Web Connect. No error codes.
How to Get an IIF File from Your QBO or OFX File
Use our free converter. Upload your bank's .qbo or .ofx file and download a ready-to-import .iif file in seconds. See also: Free QBO to IIF Converter and Free OFX to IIF Converter.
Convert Your File Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Is IIF import still supported in QuickBooks Desktop?
Yes. IIF import via File → Utilities → Import → IIF Files is supported in all current and legacy versions of QuickBooks Desktop.
Can I create an IIF file manually?
Yes, it is tab-delimited plain text. However, using a converter is faster and less error-prone for bank transaction files.
Why does my bank not provide IIF files directly?
Banks stopped supporting IIF export years ago in favor of QBO/OFX. A converter bridges the gap by transforming your bank's QBO or OFX file into IIF format.
What is the difference between IIF and QBO?
QBO (Web Connect) is a bank-to-QuickBooks direct import format that requires an active bank connection. IIF is a simple file import with no connection required — more reliable for discontinued QB Desktop versions.
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Kenta built QBOConverter after encountering this exact QuickBooks error while supporting a client. He writes about practical fixes for accounting software edge cases.