Convert IIF to Excel

How to convert an IIF file to Excel

1. Get the IIF. Pull one from QuickBooks Desktop (File → Utilities → Export → Lists to IIF Files for lists, or any .IIF you already tried to import), from Review now after a failed import, or from a converter. A working bank example is on the sample IIF file guide.
2. Upload it above. Each TRNS / SPL / ENDTRNS block becomes one spreadsheet row. Signs stay as written on the TRNS amount; TRNSTYPE tells bank rows from credit card rows.
3. Check the preview. Spending should show as negative. When day and month look swapped, pick a day-first date format in the preview.
4. Download the CSV and open it in Excel (File → Open, or double-click). Dates and amounts come through as real dates and numbers. Use File → Save As → Excel Workbook if you want a .xlsx.

From IIF rows to Excel columns

A split purchase in our sample QuickBooks Desktop IIF (made-up data):

!TRNS	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	AMOUNT	DOCNUM	MEMO
!SPL	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	NAME	AMOUNT	DOCNUM	MEMO
!ENDTRNS
TRNS	CHECK	09/03/2026	Business Checking		-86.43		POS PURCHASE OFFICE DEPOT #1123
SPL	CHECK	09/03/2026	Office Expenses		50.00		
SPL	CHECK	09/03/2026	Postage		36.43		
ENDTRNS

becomes this row in the CSV (opened in Excel):

Date,Description,Amount,Balance,Category
2026-09-03,POS PURCHASE OFFICE DEPOT #1123,-86.43,,Split: Office Expenses 50.00; Postage 36.43

The sample file's 31 rows come to 11 Sales, 12 Office Expenses, 2 Payroll, 2 Utilities, 2 Contract Labor, 1 Rent and 1 split — ready for a pivot table by Category in Excel.

Which IIF files work

• Transaction IIFs with !TRNS / !SPL / !ENDTRNS headers and matching data rows. Column order can vary; we read the header names.
• Bank types (CHECK, DEPOSIT, …) and card types (CREDIT CARD, CCARD REFUND). Card files keep charges negative and refunds positive when signed that way.
• Files with several accounts (different TRNS ACCNT values): one tab and one CSV per account, plus a combined CSV whose first column is the Account.
• List-only IIFs (accounts, customers, vendors with no TRNS rows) are refused with a message — there's nothing to put in a transaction spreadsheet.
• Free up to 100 transactions per file; files up to 20,000 transactions.

Common problems

Other conversions

• Just need to open or view the .IIF? How to open an .IIF file covers QuickBooks Desktop (Windows and Mac), Excel's Text Import Wizard and opening it without QuickBooks.
• Just need a Clean CSV (scripts, Wave, Zoho, FreshBooks): the IIF to CSV converter downloads the same file with CSV-first steps.
• Need a QuickBooks Web Connect .qbo (Online or a supported Desktop version)? The IIF to QBO converter writes Web Connect from the same IIF.
• Need a Quicken .qif for Windows File Import? The IIF to QIF converter writes a bank or card QIF from the same IIF.
• Going back into QuickBooks Desktop? Check the file with the IIF file checker, or see IIF import errors. To build an IIF from a spreadsheet, use CSV to IIF.
• Have a Quicken .qif instead? The QIF to Excel converter keeps Quicken categories the same way.
• Have an .ofx or .qfx instead? The OFX / QFX to Excel converter.
• Have a QuickBooks Web Connect .qbo? The .QBO to Excel converter.
• Only have PDF statements? The bank statement PDF to Excel converter checks every statement against its balances.
• Not sure which file you have? See QBO vs IIF vs QIF and the sample IIF file guide. To open a download without converting yet, see how to open an OFX or QIF file.