A "QIF" (Quicken Interchange Format) file is used by Quicken financial programs that transfer data between different files or between a bank and Quicken. This file type, which has also been used by programs such as Microsoft Money, can be converted to a more universally accessible "XLS" (Excel Spreadsheet) file using several conversion programs. Since the conversion is a bit obscure, two of the conversions require an additional step or two to complete the process.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
XL2QIF converter
Unzip program
Microsoft Excel
CSF to QIF converter
QIF to CSV converter
1
Visit the XL2QIF website (see Resources) and download the XL2QIF Excel Add-In Version 1.1. Unzip the files using an unzipping program and install the program. The program acts as an add-in to Microsoft Excel and it will create a new menu item labeled "XL2QIF." Open Microsoft Excel and click on the menu. Scroll down to "Save to QIF" to save your current file as a QIF file. Select an output folder and an output file name and click "Convert."
2
Open Microsoft Excel. Click "File" and "Save As." Choose CSV (Comma-Separated Values) as the file type and click "Save."
3
Visit the CSV to QIF Free Online Converter page (see Reources). Click on the "Choose..." button under CSV Import to choose your recently converted CSV file. Click on the button marked "Save as QIF." Choose a name for your QIF file and click "Ok." A download box will open up and you can click "Save" to download the QIF file.
4
Repeat step 2 to change your XLS document into a CSV file. Visit the LC Bell site (see Resources) and download the QIF to CSV converter. Use the unzipping program to unzip the file and double-click on "QIF-CSV Converter" to install the program. Once installed open the CSV file by clicking "File" and then "Open." Click "File" and then "Save As." Click on the drop-down menu and change the file type to "QIF" and click "Save." Your file will then be converted to a QIF document.
Many banks only export account information and history in a comma-separated values (CSV) database format. If you want to manage the data from the popular Quicken financial management software, you'll need to convert the CSV file to Quicken Interchange Format (QIF). You can do this with a free Microsoft Excel add-in that provides enough customizable options to ensure smooth data transition to Quicken.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Microsoft Excel
XL2QIF
Installation
1
Download and unzip the XL2QIF application from the link in Resources.
2
Double-click the "Install" icon in the folder that downloads to open the installation window in Microsoft Excel.
3
Click the "Install" button in Excel. Choose your language (English or French) and restart Excel.
Conversion
1
Open your CSV data file in Excel and highlight all the data you wish to convert.
2
Click the "Add-Ins" tab at the top of the Excel window. Click the XL2QIF button and select "Save to QIF."
3
Select the appropriate "Account Type" under "Options" in the window that pops up. It is "Bank" by default, but options like "Credit Card" and "Liabilities" exist.
4
Find the "Standard Field" box and check the fields in your CVS file in the order that they appear. For instance, a bank account might have the date, then the amount, then the category, etc.
5
Click the "Browse" button and select where you would like to save your QIF file. Click "Save" and then, back in the main window, "Convert."
Tips & Warnings
If you get an error message during installation, check the top of your Excel window for a "Security Warning" telling you macros have been disabled. To solve this, click the "Options" button that appears and select "Enable" from the pop-up box. Click the "Install" button again.
XL2QIF 1.1 will work with all the latest versions of Microsoft Excel, but users with Excel '97 will need to download 1.0 instead.
GnuCash Portable is an open source financial management software. Being a portable app, you can take your financial information anywhere with you. Just run the setup and select a location to extract the application content (e.g. USB drive). From here, you can simply add your financial information and carry it where ever you go. Some of its primary features include provisions for Double-Entry accounting, bank liability and expense account information management options, small business accounting and multiple financial calculations.
