Understanding IIF File Format

A complete reference guide to the Intuit® Interchange Format (IIF) structure, headers, and field requirements.

In This Guide

1What is an IIF File?
2Basic IIF Structure
3Transaction Headers (!TRNS, !SPL, !ENDTRNS)
4Required and Optional Fields
5Transaction Types
6Date and Amount Formatting
7Example IIF File

1. What is an IIF File?

IIF (Intuit® Interchange Format) is a tab-delimited text file format used by QuickBooks® Desktop to import and export lists and transactions. Created by Intuit®, it's the primary format for bulk data imports into QuickBooks® Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise.

IIF files are plain text and can be opened in any text editor or spreadsheet application. Each field is separated by a tab character, and each record is on its own line.

Note: IIF files are only supported by QuickBooks® Desktop. QuickBooks® Online uses different import formats (QBO, CSV, Excel).

2. Basic IIF Structure

Every IIF file follows a specific structure with header rows that define column names, followed by data rows. The most common structure for transactions uses three header types:

!TRNSTransaction Header

Defines the column names for the main transaction line (e.g., TRNSTYPE, DATE, ACCNT, AMOUNT, MEMO).

!SPLSplit Header

Defines column names for split lines (offsetting entries). Must have the same columns as !TRNS.

!ENDTRNSEnd Transaction Header

Marks the end of a transaction block. This header has no columns.

3. Transaction Block Structure

Each transaction in an IIF file is a "block" that starts with a TRNS row, has one or more SPL rows, and ends with an ENDTRNS row:

!TRNS	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	AMOUNT	MEMO
!SPL	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	AMOUNT	MEMO
!ENDTRNS
TRNS	GENERAL JOURNAL	01/15/2024	Checking	-150.00	Office Supplies
SPL	GENERAL JOURNAL	01/15/2024	Office Expense	150.00	Office Supplies
ENDTRNS

Important: Each transaction must balance — the sum of all TRNS and SPL amounts must equal zero.

4. Required and Optional Fields

Field	Required?	Description
TRNSTYPE	Yes	Transaction type (CHECK, DEPOSIT, GENERAL JOURNAL, etc.)
DATE	Yes	Transaction date in MM/DD/YYYY format
ACCNT	Yes	Account name exactly as it appears in QuickBooks®
AMOUNT	Yes	Transaction amount (negative for credits)
MEMO	No	Transaction memo or description
DOCNUM	No	Check number or document reference
NAME	No	Customer, vendor, or employee name
CLASS	No	QuickBooks® class for tracking

5. Transaction Types

The TRNSTYPE field determines how QuickBooks® processes the transaction. Common types include:

GENERAL JOURNAL

General journal entries (most flexible)

CHECK

Check payments

DEPOSIT

Bank deposits

INVOICE

Customer invoices

BILL

Vendor bills

PAYMENT

Customer payments received

BILL PMT

Bill payments

TRANSFER

Bank transfers

6. Date and Amount Formatting

Date Format

IIF files require dates in MM/DD/YYYY format.

✓ 01/15/2024✗ 2024-01-15✗ 15/01/2024

Amount Format

Amounts use standard decimal notation. Negative amounts represent credits.

✓ 150.00✓ -150.00✗ $150.00✗ 1,500.00

7. Example IIF File

Here's a complete example of an IIF file with two transactions:

!TRNS	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	AMOUNT	MEMO	DOCNUM
!SPL	TRNSTYPE	DATE	ACCNT	AMOUNT	MEMO	DOCNUM
!ENDTRNS
TRNS	CHECK	01/15/2024	Business Checking	-250.00	Office Supplies	1001
SPL	CHECK	01/15/2024	Office Expense	250.00	Office Supplies	
ENDTRNS
TRNS	DEPOSIT	01/16/2024	Business Checking	1500.00	Client Payment	
SPL	DEPOSIT	01/16/2024	Accounts Receivable	-1500.00	Client Payment	
ENDTRNS

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