I paid a company to export QBS online info, I have IIF files, now how do I import to QBS desktop 2020? Beyond my abilities! Can you help?

Just to clarify, did they only help to export your data from QBO to get the files of IIF? After created a new company file, you have to start importing COA, Lists, and Transactions respectively. Explore the following reference

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-ca/import-or-export-data-files/export-import-and-edit...

If you encounter any error, there are many root causes. e.g You have to use the IIF format for CA version if you need to import it into QBD CA. As a workaround, you may convert your IIF files to XLS files. Then you may utilize one of these importer tools.

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbo

https://partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

As for the last resort, consider purchasing a 3rd party migration service.

Hi there ljohnson5,

Intuit Interchange Format or .IIF files are files that QuickBooks Desktop uses for importing and exporting lists or transactions in order to simplify the data exchange process between platforms. Importing .IIF files is fairly straightforward and QuickBooks Desktop will format it for you. Let me give you a hand with this.

While Intuit doesn't offer assisted technical support for the creation of or importing .IIF files, we do have a few handy articles and a tool that'll help you with the process. The .IIF import kit is a guide for creating and working with .IIF import files and inclues an Import Manual, Header Help, and Example Files. You can download the kit by following the instructions in this article: IIF Overview: import kit, sample files, and headers. The article also has sample files for a variety of transaction types and explains how to use and understand .IIF files. 

The article shared by @Fiat Lux - ASIA is a handy one as it goes over the steps for importing .IIF files, and I know you'll also find these articles useful as well:

• Improved IIF Import in QuickBooks 2019 and later

• Tasks you can do with IIF files

If I can provide any further clarification on the information in the articles or if you have further QuickBooks-related questions, just give me a shout here in the Community and I'll do my best to assist you. Take care!

Rebecca, how can I reach you. I am still overwhelmed.

I am starting one thing at a time. I am in Canada, most of our customers are Canadian, but some are in US. 

When I create the Customer list, I am choosing province and postal code instead of State and Zip. Will that mess everything up?

also, because we deal in Canadian and US currency, can I select currency on the account list?

This is just getting more confusing. I just read a response to someone else going through the same thing. If I upload my lists with opening balances into quickbooks and then upload the information from quickbooks online that i exported, I will duplicate the amounts that customers owe me?

Hello ljohnson5,

Making sure your books are configured correctly is a necessary part of the setup of QuickBooks Desktop. Importing that data can help save you time in getting you set up. I can provide some insight.

When creating a customer, you have the option to choose which currency will be associated to them. All transactions done with this customer will be in the currency you've chosen. Also, when assigning their address, you can put the province and postal code for a Canadian customer or State and Zip for American clients. Here's an article about how to Set up and use Multicurrency, which includes a section on how to setup customers who use foreign currency.

As far as the import of your lists and balances, you're correct in the fact that if you enter all the information from your previous QuickBooks account through an .IIF file and then do an import of your opening balances they will add on to one another. What I recommend is doing the import based on your .IIF files, then if there's an adjustment to be made for the opening balance you can do so by creating a General Journal Entry. You can also follow the steps here in order to help with how to Enter opening balances for accounts in QuickBooks Desktop. 

I hope this clarifies what you were experiencing with entering customers as well as double importing. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out!