Convert a bank CSV to QBO for QuickBooks Desktop

This tool turns the CSV file from your bank into a .qbo file that QuickBooks Desktop can import as a Web Connect file. It is for business owners and bookkeepers whose bank offers no QuickBooks download. It runs in your browser and does not upload your bank file.

  1. Choose your bank's CSV file

    Download the statement from your bank's website as CSV, then choose it here or drop it on this page.

  2. Match the columns

    The tool guesses these from your file. Use Amount when your file has one column of amounts with a minus sign for money out. Use Money out and Money in when it has two columns.

  3. Describe the account

    QuickBooks links the file to an account by its account number. Use the same number every time you convert files for this account.

    QuickBooks only imports files with a bank id it knows. Keep 3000 unless QuickBooks refuses the file.

  4. Check and download

    The transactions appear here after you choose a file.

How it works

Your browser reads the CSV file. The tool finds the header row, skips account details above it, and guesses which column holds the date, the description and the amount. It reads amounts written as 1,234.56, 1.234,56, (12.00) or 12.00 DR.

It then writes an OFX 1.02 file with Intuit's INTU.BID tag. This is the .qbo format that banks offer for QuickBooks Desktop. Each transaction keeps its date, its amount and the first 32 characters of its description as the payee name. A longer description goes in the memo.

Limits

Questions

Can QuickBooks Desktop import a CSV bank statement?

Not as bank transactions. QuickBooks Desktop imports bank transactions from .qbo files, also called Web Connect files. This tool makes that file from your CSV.

How do I import the .qbo file into QuickBooks Desktop?

In QuickBooks Desktop, choose File, then Utilities, then Import, then Web Connect Files. Pick the .qbo file. QuickBooks asks which account the transactions belong to. Then review them in the Bank Feeds window.

QuickBooks says it cannot verify the financial institution. What do I do?

QuickBooks checks the bank id (INTU.BID) in the file against its own list of banks. This tool writes 3000 unless you change it. If QuickBooks refuses the file, enter the bank id of a bank on that list, then convert again.

My bank writes dates as day/month/year. Will it work?

Yes. The tool reads month/day/year, day/month/year and year-month-day, and guesses the order from the dates in your file. When every day in the file is 12 or less it cannot be sure, so it tells you to check the preview. You can change the order by hand.

Will QuickBooks import the same transaction twice?

Each transaction gets an id made from its date, amount and description. Convert the same transaction again and it gets the same id. The OFX format uses these ids so that a program can skip transactions it has already imported. We have not yet tested that QuickBooks does this, so look for copies in the Bank Feeds window before you add the transactions.

Is my bank file uploaded anywhere?

No. Your browser reads the CSV file and writes the .qbo file on your computer. The page does not send your file anywhere.

What does it cost?

Nothing. The tool is free to use.