Convert CSV or Excel files to QBO (Web Connect) and import into Quickbooks

This tutorial shows how to convert a CSV file from your bank or credit card statement to QBO (Web Connect) and import into Quickbooks. We will use the CSV2QBO utility. IMPORTANT: CSV2QBO is now replaced with the Transactions app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats.

Step by step instructions for Windows

Follow the steps below for the Windows version, followed by the Mac version.

Make sure you are using the latest version of CSV2QBO. Download it from the CSV2QBO download page. Start CSV2QBO and select a CSV or Excel file. Review transactions before converting, check that dates are correct, have the correct year, expenses are negative and payments to the account are positive. 

Click the 'Charges/Withdrawals' are positive if expenses are positive on the CSV file. 

Set INTU.BID number to match your bank or use a default value. The INTU.BID value defines the bank label shown during import. You can try to locate your bank, make sure a bank you choose supports the account type you are converting for. Keep the default value if your bank is not listed (3000-Wells Fargo or any allowed bank). 

Set the Account ID (number) and the Account Type. Account ID must be all digits for Quickbooks. For multiple accounts, use a different Account ID for each account. 

Currency should be USD even for non-USD accounts for Quickbooks US edition. For the Canadian edition, you can use USD and CAD. And for the UK edition, GBP currency must be set. If you have non-USD, you have to use another converter, for example, CSV2IIF converter, that does not have currency and  you can import for the non-USD account. CSV2IIF converts to IIF format instead of the QBO format. 

You can also set End balance, Bank ID, Branch ID if your accounting software requires it. 

Click the 'Convert' button to create a QBO file.  

Confirm the file name and location. 

Import created QBO file into Quickbooks 

Now the QBO file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks and import created QBO file. Before importing a QBO file make sure that the account you need to import into doesn’t have the yellow strike icon. Click 'Lists' - 'Charts of Accounts'.

Because if you have the icon, it means the account is online linked to direct download. You need to disconnect first to import a QBO file.  

To disconnect, right-click - 'Edit Account'. 

Then click on the 'Bank Feed Settings' and 'Deactivate All Online Services' first if needed. Check there is no yellow icon after the change. After disconnecting the account from online services, you can import a QBO file.  

To import a QBO file, select 'File' - 'Utilities' - 'Import' - 'Web Connect Files', select created QBO file. 

 And select an existing account to import transactions. Check bank label, Account Type, Account number to select the correct Account in Quickbooks. Then click the 'Continue' button. 

Now your data is imported. 

Click on the 'Transaction List' to review transactions. Assign Vendor Records and expense/income accounts before adding transactions to the register.  

'Downloaded as' column shows Payee names from the QBO file.  

And the 'Payee' column is empty. It shows Vendor Records. When you choose a Vendor Record, for the Payee from the QBO file, QuickBooks will remember your choice for the next QBO import. 

Once Vendor Records and Account are set, you can add transactions to the register. The rename rule creation dialog will show up after to use for the next time. 

Step by step instructions for macOS

Make sure you are using the latest version of CSV2QBO. Download it from the CSV2QBO download page. Start CSV2QBO and select the CSV or Excel file. IMPORTANT: CSV2QBO is now replaced with the Transactions app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats.

Review transactions before converting, check that dates are correct, have the correct year, expenses are negative and payments to the account are positive. 

Use the 'Change amount sign' button once per file to revert the sign of amounts. 

Set the Account ID (number) and the Account Type. Account ID must be all digits for Quickbooks. For multiple accounts, use a different Account ID for each account. 

Currency should be USD even for non-USD accounts for Quickbooks US edition. For the Canadian edition, you can use USD and CAD. And for the UK edition, GBP currency must be set. If you have non-USD, you have to use another converter, for example, the CSV2IIF converter, that does not have currency and you can import for the non-USD account. CSV2IIF converts to IIF format instead of the QBO format.

You can also set Balance, Bank ID, Branch ID if your accounting software requires it. 

You have to set INTU.BID number to match your bank or use a default value. The INTU.BID value defines the bank label shown during import. It has to be from the allowed bank. You can try to locate your bank, make sure a bank you choose supports the account type you are converting for. Keep the default value if your bank is not listed (3000-Wells Fargo or any allowed bank). 

Click the 'Convert' button to create a QBO file.  

Confirm the file name and location. 

Import created QBO file into Quickbooks

Now the QBO file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks and import created QBO file. Before importing a QBO file make sure that the account you need to import into doesn’t have a blue ball icon. Click 'Lists' - 'Charts of Accounts'. 

If it has a blue ball icon it means the account is online linked to direct download. You need to disconnect first to import a QBO file.  

To disconnect, right-click - 'Edit Account'. 

Then click the 'Online Settings' and select 'Not enabled' and click 'Save'. 

Then click 'Ok'.  Check there is no blue ball after the change. 

To import a QBO file, select 'File' - 'Import' - 'From Web Connect', select created QBO file.  

And select an existing account to import transactions. It shows the Account ID, Account Type, that you set in CSV2QBO and it offers you to choose an existing account. Click the 'Continue' button. 

Now your data is imported. 

'Downloaded Payee' column shows Payee names from the QBO file. Assign Vendor Records and expense/income accounts before adding transactions to the register.  

And the 'Payee' column is empty. It shows Vendor Records. When you choose a Vendor Record, for the Payee from the QBO file, QuickBooks will remember your choice for the next QBO import. Once Vendor Records and Account are set, you can add transactions to the register. The rename rule creation dialog will show up after to use it for the next time.