Convert Excel to QIF for Quicken & GnuCash
Turn Excel transaction data into QIF — the format that carries categories, memos, and check numbers into Quicken, GnuCash, and other personal finance tools.
XLSX and XLS supported. Auto-detects columns. Free online — no signup.
How It Works
Upload Your Excel File
XLSX or XLS with transaction data. Date, amount, and description columns auto-detected.
Converted to QIF
Columns mapped to QIF field codes (D, T, P, L, M, N). Account type header added.
Download QIF
Import via File > Import > QIF in Quicken, or File > Import in GnuCash.
QIF or QFX — Which Do You Need?
QIF (This Tool)
- Carries categories (L field)
- Memos, check numbers, splits
- Quicken: asset, liability, cash accounts
- GnuCash, Microsoft Money (legacy)
QFX / OFX
- No categories — dates, amounts, payees only
- FITID-based duplicate detection
- Quicken: checking, savings, credit cards
- Use Excel to OFX instead
Quicken 2006+ dropped QIF import for checking/savings/credit card accounts. Use QFX for those account types.
How Your Excel Columns Map to QIF
Transaction date
Transaction amount
Payee / description
Auto:Fuel, Food:Groceries
Additional notes
Check or reference number
What is Excel?
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (XLSX/XLS)
Rows and columns of transaction data. Quicken can't import Excel directly — it needs QIF, QFX, or OFX.
What is QIF?
Quicken Interchange Format
Text-based format with single-letter field codes (D, T, P, L, M, N). The only format that carries categories into Quicken. Works with GnuCash and legacy tools.
Why This Tool
Auto Column Detection
Date, amount, and description columns detected automatically — no manual mapping.
Categories Preserved
If your Excel has a category column, it maps to QIF's L field. Quicken imports it directly.
Memos & Check Numbers
Memo and check number columns map to QIF's M and N fields. All detail carried through.
Debit/Credit Support
Single amount column or separate debit/credit columns both handled correctly.
Account Type Header
QIF output includes the correct !Type header (Bank, CCard, Cash) for Quicken import.
XLS + XLSX
Both modern (.xlsx) and legacy (.xls) Excel formats supported.
When to Use This
Quicken Import With Categories
Need categories in Quicken? QIF is the only format that carries them. QFX and OFX don't support category data.
GnuCash Import
GnuCash accepts QIF natively. Convert your Excel data and import via File > Import > QIF.
Legacy Data Migration
Moving data from Microsoft Money or old spreadsheets into Quicken or GnuCash? QIF is the universal bridge.
Excel-to-QIF Issues & Fixes
Quicken says "QIF import not available for this account type"
Quicken 2006+ blocks QIF import for checking/savings/credit card. Use QFX or OFX for those account types. QIF still works for asset, liability, and cash accounts.
Dates swapped — month and day reversed
QIF dates must match Quicken's locale. US Quicken expects MM/DD/YYYY. Verify your spreadsheet's date format before converting.
Quicken creates a new account instead of importing into existing
The account name in the QIF must match your existing Quicken account exactly. If they differ, Quicken creates a new one.
Categories not appearing in Quicken after import
Check that your Excel has a Category column with values. If it's empty, the QIF L field will be blank and Quicken won't assign categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use QIF or QFX for Quicken?
For checking, savings, and credit card accounts in Quicken 2006+, use QFX — Quicken dropped QIF import for these account types. QIF still works for asset, liability, and cash accounts, and carries categories that QFX can't.
Does QIF preserve categories?
Yes — that's QIF's key advantage. The L field carries categories like "Auto:Fuel" or "Food:Groceries" into Quicken. QFX and OFX don't support categories at all.
Do I need specific column names?
No. Date, amount, and description columns are auto-detected regardless of header naming.
Does it handle separate Debit and Credit columns?
Yes. Separate columns are detected and combined into correctly signed QIF amounts.
Which software accepts QIF?
Quicken (all versions, with account type limits in newer versions), GnuCash, Microsoft Money (legacy), and various open-source finance tools.
Can I include check numbers and memos?
Yes. If your Excel has check number or memo columns, they map to QIF's N and M fields respectively.
Big Red Consulting charges for their Excel-to-QIF add-in. Is this free?
Yes. No trial limits, no Excel add-in to install, no desktop software. Fully free in your browser.
Is my data secure?
Encrypted via TLS, processed in memory, never stored. Your file is deleted immediately after conversion.
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