CSV, QBO or IIF: which file should you use?
Choose a bank transaction format for QuickBooks Online, Desktop or spreadsheet review. Compare CSV, QBO and IIF, then open the appropriate converter.
By FilesToQBO · Reviewed . Menu labels and supported workflows can change; check the linked Intuit instructions for your edition.
Start with the destination
For bank transaction uploads to QuickBooks Online, a correctly formatted CSV is often enough. For QuickBooks Desktop Bank Feeds, use a QBO Web Connect file. IIF is a separate Desktop import workflow for lists and transactions. A .qbo file is not a QuickBooks company backup.
| Format | Useful for | Check before importing |
|---|---|---|
| CSV | QuickBooks Online bank uploads and spreadsheet review. | Map Date, Description and Amount, or separate Debit and Credit columns. Check dates and signs. |
| QBO | Desktop Web Connect / Bank Feeds; also a supported Online upload format. | Check the bank ID, account mapping and supported QuickBooks version. Review and match transactions. |
| IIF | QuickBooks Desktop lists and transaction imports. | Back up first, verify account names and offsets, and inspect the imported register. It is not an Online bank-upload format. |
Choose a converter for your source file
- CSV to QBO: map your bank export and choose QBO, or use the QuickBooks Online CSV download.
- OFX to QBO or QFX to QBO: create a Web Connect file for Desktop. Online supports QFX uploads, so an original QFX may not need conversion.
- CSV to IIF: use only when the Desktop IIF workflow fits your bookkeeping setup.
- QBO to CSV or QBO to Excel: inspect an existing bank download in a spreadsheet.
- PDF bank statement conversion: extract a supported text-based USD statement locally, then review every row. Scanned PDFs are not supported.
Review matters more than the extension
Changing a filename does not transform its contents. FilesToQBO writes new files from supported transaction fields; it does not preserve every field of an OFX or QFX document. Text may be normalized or shortened. Check dates, signs and account selection, and match transactions already recorded in QuickBooks.
Before using IIF, follow Intuit’s IIF instructions and limitations and back up your Desktop company file. Real QuickBooks import compatibility still needs verification for your version and setup.