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pdrsotx
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

I exported the vendor list to an IIF file. I'm attempting to import that IIF file into another company, and I keep getting the error message shown above. In Notepad (and Excel), the IIF file looks fine at and around Line xxx.

Solved
Best answer December 10, 2018

Best Answers
Anonymous
Not applicable

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

This means the account type on that line (bank, credit card, income, expense) is different from an account already on the chart of accounts.  QB doesn't let you import an account on top of another of the same name when the type is different.

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12 Comments 12
pdrsotx
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

QuickBooks Pro 2015. I think I just solved my own problem; the IIF file also had the chart of accounts in it (forgot to mention that). When the chart of accounts is removed from the IIF file, the vendor list seems to import just fine.
Anonymous
Not applicable

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

This means the account type on that line (bank, credit card, income, expense) is different from an account already on the chart of accounts.  QB doesn't let you import an account on top of another of the same name when the type is different.

pdrsotx
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

Many thanks... I'm not the accountant, I'm the techie. Made sense once I realized what was actually in the IIF file (chart of accounts AND vendor list). Problem solved; the account in question has been removed from the IIF file, and it imported just fine. If the accountant needs that account, she'll create it manually. Again, many thanks.
collinstax-813
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

How can I fix this?
Anonymous
Not applicable

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

Don't include an account in your IIF file that already exists of a different type, or attempt so use an account on transactions in an IIF file in an invalid way, a way not allowed in QB.
Beccic
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

How do i find out what account that line is

Beccic
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

How can i find out what is on that line that is creating the error

SarahannC
Moderator

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

Hello dear, Beccic.

 

We have there the Review now button that helps you to review and identify what's on the line that caused an error. We can see the Review now button when we import the list to another company file.

 

Here are the few steps that can help you find the error: 

  1. From the main menu, click File.
  2. Under Utilities, select Import and then, IIF Files.
  3. Hit Import IIF and open the name of the IIF file.
  4. Click the Review now button.
  5. Press CTRLF to find the error. Once you identify the errors, you can now correct them.

iif.PNGiif2.PNG

 

Once everything is okay, you can now save this as IIF File again and import them properly. Also, you can visit these articles for additional reference:

 

You can always post here again if you have other questions. I'll be around to help you figure them out. Thanks. Take care!

maryellen02
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

I too am having problems locating the errors.  Not a valid record type...how do i find what record it refers to???

Angelyn_T
QuickBooks Team

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

Hello, @maryellen02.

 

You can click on the Review now button as suggested by SarahannC above so you have the option to find the invalid record. Make sure that the details of your file contain valid information. For an additional guide about checking the errors, you can read the details from this link: Improved IIF Import in QuickBooks 2019 and later.

 

Post again if you have any other questions. I'm a few clicks away to help. Keep safe!

senright24
Level 1

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

How do you remove the chart of accounts from the iif file?

Pabz_L
QuickBooks Team

Error on Line xxx: You can't change the type of an account.

I'm glad to see you here in QuickBooks Community. @senright24.

 

I'd be happy to help and share some information about IIF files and how to create and import them in QuickBooks.

 

When importing a Chart of Accounts using an IIF format, QuickBooks formats the file for you to help you record lists/transactions easier, especially if you have a large amount of data to be imported.

 

If you want to export the Chart of Accounts to Excel and remove/add accounts, you can follow the steps below:

 

  1. In QuickBooks Desktop, click the Lists menu and select Chart of Accounts.
  2.  Click the Report drop-down menu at the bottom.
  3.  Then, select Account Listing.
  4.  Click the Excel button and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

After that, here's how you can import accounts from Excel:

 

  1.  Click Lists in the top navigation bar and choose Chart of Accounts.
  2. Select the Account drop-down arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Then, click Import from Excel.
  4. Choose the desired file and click Import.

 

With IIF files, we can also edit your lists, import the vendor's IIF file to update your costs, and update your list entries.

 

If there's any else that I can help you with, please don't hesitate to drop a comment below. Stay safe and healthy.

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