Import failure checklist
QuickBooks IIF File Not Importing: What to Check
When an IIF file will not import, the fastest path is to check deterministic text-format problems before investigating accounts and names stored inside QuickBooks Desktop.
Check your IIF fileConfirm that it is really an IIF file
Renaming a CSV file to .iif does not convert it. An IIF uses tabs between fields and header rows beginning with an exclamation point. Open the file as plain text: a transaction file should visibly contain !TRNS, !SPL, and !ENDTRNS.
Inspect the transaction blocks
Each TRNS begins a transaction. SPL rows distribute the amount, and ENDTRNS closes the block. Orphan SPL rows, nested TRNS rows, missing terminators, and unbalanced general journals are common reasons to stop before importing.
- One open TRNS block at a time
- At least one SPL before ENDTRNS
- General journal amounts total 0.00
- ACCNT and AMOUNT values are present
Compare names with the company file
If the structure is valid but the import still fails, compare account, customer, vendor, item, and class names with an export from the target company. Differences in punctuation, hierarchy, account type, or country version can matter.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use “Import it for me. I’ll fix it later”?
Intuit does not recommend bypassing data review because information may be incomplete or incorrect. Fix the reported problems and use the reviewed import path.
Is IIF the same as QuickBooks Online CSV import?
No. IIF is a QuickBooks Desktop format. QuickBooks Online import flows and supported fields are different.
Related IIF guides
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