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Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop

by Intuit Updated 5 months ago

Learn how to import or export info with QuickBooks Desktop.

Instead of starting from scratch, you can transfer info to and from QuickBooks. This makes it easy if you need to convert, upgrade, or create a new company file.



Import and export overview

You can import things like your bank transactions, accountant’s changes, general journal entries, and batch transactions. You can also import your customers and suppliers.

You can export reports, general journal entries, and customer and supplier lists.

Here are some lists and transaction types you can import into QuickBooks.

  • Chart of Accounts
  • Employees
  • Supplier types
  • Items
  • Shipping methods
  • To dos
  • Notes
  • Sales tax codes
  • Customers and customer:jobs
  • Other names
  • Classes
  • Payment terms
  • Customer messages
  • Sales reps
  • Suppliers
  • Customer and job types
  • Payment methods
  • Budgets
  • Price levels
  • Account beginning balances
  • Cash sales to customers
  • Checks
  • Deposits
  • Invoices
  • Account transfers of funds
  • Supplier bills
  • Cash refunds to customers
  • Credit card transactions
  • Estimates
  • Payments from customers
  • Supplier bill refunds
  • Credit card refunds to customers
  • Credit memos to customers
  • General journal entries
  • Purchase orders


Ways to import and export info in QuickBooks

With MS Excel

Using CSV files

Import and export invoice and other form templates

Import and export IIFs

Import bank transactions with Web Connect files

Send journal entries back and forth with your accountant

Export your file for your accountant and import accountant changes

Import batch transactions from your accountant



Things to keep in mind when you import and export data

  • Since you can't undo the info you import, you should make a backup just in case.
  • We provide support for basic import and export questions. Consider talking to your accountant before you import data. Or, we can help you find a ProAdvisor if you need one.
  • Check out the Intuit Marketplace to see apps that help you import data.

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