A tab-delimited text file format created by Intuit for importing transactions, lists, and budgets into QuickBooks Desktop. Each row type is identified by a keyword header like TRNS, SPL, or ACCNT.
Understanding IIF (Intuit Interchange Format)
IIF (Intuit Interchange Format) is a tab-delimited text file format designed by Intuit for bulk-importing transactions, lists, and budgets into QuickBooks Desktop. Each row in an IIF file begins with a keyword that identifies the record type, such as TRNS (transaction header), SPL (split line), and ENDTRNS (end of transaction).
IIF files can import various data types: transactions (checks, invoices, journal entries), chart of accounts (ACCNT rows), customer lists (CUST rows), vendor lists (VEND rows), and item lists (INVITEM rows). The format supports complex multi-line transactions with splits across multiple accounts.
Despite being a legacy format, IIF remains widely used because QuickBooks Desktop has a massive installed base and IIF is the only way to bulk-import transaction data with full double-entry detail. However, IIF files must be formatted precisely — even small errors in tab placement or column order can cause imports to fail or data to land in wrong fields.
Why It Matters for Ecommerce
For ecommerce sellers using QuickBooks Desktop, IIF is the most powerful import format because it supports full double-entry journal entries with multiple splits. This means a single Amazon settlement can be imported with proper debits and credits across revenue, fee, and refund accounts — far more detailed than a simple bank-feed-style import.
Practical Example
A simple IIF transaction for a $100 sale with a $15 marketplace fee looks like: TRNS → Cash account → $85 (debit) SPL → Marketplace Fees → $15 (debit) SPL → Sales Revenue → -$100 (credit) ENDTRNS The three lines create a balanced journal entry that QuickBooks Desktop imports directly.
Related Terms
Intuit Interchange Format (IIF)
The full name of the IIF file format developed by Intuit for bulk-importing data into QuickBooks Desktop. Supports transactions, chart of accounts, customer/vendor lists, and items.
File FormatTab-Delimited File
A text file where data fields are separated by tab characters instead of commas. The IIF format and some bank exports use tab-delimited structure for data interchange.
File FormatQBO (QuickBooks Online / Web Connect)
A variant of the OFX format used by QuickBooks to import bank transactions via Web Connect. Despite the name, QBO files work with both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.
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