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Download bank feed transactions in QuickBooks Desktop

by Intuit•10• Updated 5 months ago

Learn how to download bank feed transactions in QuickBooks Desktop.

This article is part of a series that covers Bank Feeds in QuickBooks for Windows.

After you set up your accounts for bank feeds, you can start downloading transactions from your banks.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Back up your QuickBooks company file before you start downloading.
  • You can't download transactions into the same QuickBooks Desktop company file more than once. However, your bank may be able to reopen the transactions on their side so QuickBooks can download them again. Reach out to your bank to get help with this.
  • Web connect only works with .qbo files. Other types like QFX and QIF Quicken files won't work. There are a few third party applications that can handle QIF available on the Intuit Marketplace.

Download transactions

Banks offer one of two ways to download transactions. Select the download method to learn how to use them.

Download using Direct Connect

The first time you connect, QuickBooks automatically downloads the maximum number of transactions available from your bank. Depending on the bank, this can give you up to a year of historical transactions.  Most banks may only download 90 days of historical transactions.

  1. Go to the Banking.
  2. Select Bank Feeds then select Bank Feeds Center.
  3. From the Bank Accounts list, choose the account you want to connect.
    1. (Optional) In the Send items to your bank section, select the Online Checks link to edit or cancel a payment.
  4. When you're ready to get your transactions, select Download Transactions.
    Note: If you've already downloaded the transactions but haven't reviewed them, select Transaction List. Here's how to review them.
  5. Select Synchronize.
    1. If you only want to download transactions for a specific account, select Sync this account.
    2. If you want to download transactions for all your accounts at the same bank, select Sync all for this Bank.
  6. In the Access to window, enter your PIN or password to connect to your bank.
  7. Select OK.

After you download the transactions, you need to match or add any new ones.

Note: You can delete any remaining (previously matched/added) transactions. Once you delete your downloaded transactions, you can't download them again. This avoids duplicate entries.

Back to Download Transactions

Download using Web Connect

Some banks let you set a date range for downloads. If your bank doesn't have this option, you automatically get the maximum number of transactions available the first time you download. This may be 30, 60, 90 days, or more depending on the bank.

There are two ways to import transactions via Web Connect:

If you're using QuickBooks Desktop

  1. Go to Banking.
  2. Select Bank Feeds then select Banking Center.
  3. Find your bank and select Download Transactions. This opens a browser window to your bank's website.
  4. Sign in to your bank's website to download the Web Connect file.

If you're outside of QuickBooks Desktop

  1. Open a web browser and go to your bank’s website.
  2. Sign into your bank account using your normal process.
  3. Download your transactions as a QuickBooks Web Connect (.qbo) file.
    Note: Every bank has a different method for downloading QuickBooks Web Connect files. If you're not sure how to do it, visit your bank's website and look for their steps. If you can't find any, reach out to your bank for help.
  4. Once you have the Web Connect file, follow the steps to import it into QuickBooks Desktop.

Error: "To download and import transactions, sign in with your Intuit account"

If you use Advanced Mode in bank feeds, you may need to sign in to your Intuit Account or switch modes. 

Import of web connect files (.qbo) requires you to sign in to your Intuit Account within QuickBooks Desktop.

Back to Download Transactions

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