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randi84
Level 2

Exporting Description without trimming?

I'm trying to export my Item List to a CSV to get all of our Item Descriptions in a spreadsheet. When I get it to the CSV file the descriptions are trimmed to a limited characters ending with a (...). I'd like to export the entire description not limited to character count. Is there any way to do this? Thanks!

Solved
Best answer December 16, 2021

Best Answers
BigRedConsulting
Community Champion

Exporting Description without trimming?

Exporting from a report will always have this limitation, same as the report.

 

However, you can export the Items list to an IIF file and then open that IIF file, which is a Tab-delimited file, in Excel. That export will include the entire contents of the description fields.

 

To do this, start at File | Utilities | Export | Lists to IIF files...

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5 Comments 5
BigRedConsulting
Community Champion

Exporting Description without trimming?

Exporting from a report will always have this limitation, same as the report.

 

However, you can export the Items list to an IIF file and then open that IIF file, which is a Tab-delimited file, in Excel. That export will include the entire contents of the description fields.

 

To do this, start at File | Utilities | Export | Lists to IIF files...

randi84
Level 2

Exporting Description without trimming?

Thanks, that helped me out a lot. 

PenncoCovers
Level 1

Exporting Description without trimming?

I don't understand how this solves the issue.  When I create the IIF file, the description is still cut off.

PenncoCovers
Level 1

Exporting Description without trimming?

This does not solve the issue for me.  When I create the IIF file, the description is still cut off.

ChristieAnn
QuickBooks Team

Exporting Description without trimming?

Thank you for visiting the QuickBooks Community, PenncoCovers. I'll share details on how IIF works in QuickBooks, then ensure you'll be pointed to the right person to help you further with this problem in order to reach your goal.

 

Importing and exporting. IIF files in QuickBooks Desktop are easy because QuickBooks Desktop formats the file for you. However, you still need to check the details and make sure that the mapping is correct before exporting your data from QuickBooks. An incorrect format may lead to an error or the data will import incorrectly like the description of the item list is still cut off with no error. You can open this article to see further details so you have the accurate format of the file: IIF Overview: import kit, sample files, and headers.

 

Also, creating .iif files from scratch or adapting data from another program is technically complicated and may be challenging if you don't have experience formatting delimited text files. That said, please know that Intuit doesn't offer technical support for the import and export of IIF files. If you utilize your IIF file via a third-party app, please contact the app's technical support for assistance. If you created the file on your own, I recommend consulting an IT expert for assistance in exporting the item list to a CSV in order to receive all of the item Descriptions in a spreadsheet.

 

Lastly, you may refer to this article to view things that need to keep in mind when you import and export data: Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Don't hesitate to add a comment below if you still have concerns related to exporting files in QBDT. I'm always around to help, PenncoCovers. Have a great day!

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