Updating Existing Invoice via IIF Import

Hi there, jtford55.

Welcome back to the QuickBooks Community. I'll share some information about importing IIF files in QuickBooks Desktop and how it works.

Yes, it's possible to include the same invoice number to update the invoice details in the IIF file. This way, you don't have to edit each entry after importing the data. Also, please make sure that the mapping is accurate before importing it. This will help prevent unexpected error messages. That said, I suggest clicking this article to see additional details and to ensure that you import entries using.IIF correctly: IIF Overview: import kit, sample files, and headers.

You also still have the option to open each invoices in the customer's information inside QuickBooks Desktop to manually edit them. You'll have to go the Customers menu and choose Customer Center. From there, click each customer's name to open all transactions associated with them. Then, choose invoice and click it to open the details and start updating the information.

Additionally, reference this article if you need guidance in importing and exporting data in QuickBooks Desktop: Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop.

Then, to find articles you can bookmark for future use, check out our QuickBooks Desktop help articles site. Simply, enter a keyword of your concern on the search box or select any of the categories displayed.

Should you need any assistance with importing your IIF files in QuickBooks, please leave a reply below. I'm available here to help at any time. Take care always.

Thank you for your reply.

I have gone through the IIF template and header help, but i am not seeing what to set header or value wise to update an already exiting invoice via iif. 

Everything i try just creates a new Invoice with the line item i would like to add to the existing.

Any additional info you have that could help point me in the right direction?

@ChristieAnn  

RE: Yes, it's possible to include the same invoice number to update the invoice details in the IIF file. 

No, it's not. QuickBooks always adds transactions when you import them using an IIF file. It never alters or updates existing transactions.

It's been like this for 27 years or so. I'd think you'd know that...

@jtford55 

RE: I have gone through the IIF template and header help, but i am not seeing what to set header or value wise to update an already exiting invoice via iif. 

That's because it doesn't exist. There's no way to update existing transactions when importing.

@jtford55 

You should utilize an importer tool to overwrite your invoice transactions.