Need Mac Quicken 2007 to convert .qif

Internet Marine

I am leaving my old MacBook Pro running Quicken 2006, which only exports a .qif file.

I own Quicken 2016, and remember that I had to use Quicken 2007 to do an intermediate transfer. I successfully did this once before but for some reason didn't end up using that computer. Now I want to do it again but can't find the Mac Quicken 2007 that I was allowed to download for free before.

You got Clues? I got Thanks!

smayer97

QM2016 can read and merge QM2006 data file. And you do not need to use QIF to do it. Just open the data file...unless you are trying to be selective and only transfer some of the data... if so, you can try using Save A Copy and select the transactions that way?

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)

Internet Marine

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

not totally clear if you tried this but did you select the file from the File>New menu in QM2016? When doing this, it should prompt you to choose if you want to import a QM2007 data file. 

Internet Marine

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Hi again...

Indeed; and just in case, I just went through all the different options including Windows and Bank import...there is a brief acknowledgment that the file is going to take a few minutes then the fail notice for each Open and Import option.    Alas! 

There's just something about a 2006 file that doesn't want to act like a 2007 file I guess.

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Though, not supposed to happen since they are supposed to be the same database, it does happen. 

But before giving up, another thing to try is have you re-indexed the QM2006 file before the import? If not, simply open the Account list, then press CMD-OPT-B. 

If that does not work, then try a Save A Copy menu function, then import that file.

Let us know how it either of those go.

Internet Marine

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Again...thanks...

Again...Alas...I did the reindexing. I made both a new Copy and Export. 2016 just isn't happy with them. 

I must say, I have done this before...it needed to go through a 2007 transition step, then worked fine. ...if I could only find that intuit-supplied free 2007 download link again.

John_in_NC

You *should* be able to covert the 2006 file directly. But, before you do any more troubleshooting, you need to copy your 2006 file off the USB stick to your Mac's internal drive first before you try any import. Don't try to import off the stick as it won't work.

(Most USB drives aren't Mac formatted and will break the file up in pieces. In the case of Quicken files, this will render them unreadable.) Copying the file back to a Mac drive and that will put Humpty Dumpty back together. 

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Sorry that did not work for you.

How long ago was it that you received the link? Was it before the break-up from Intuit? If so, then you probably have an Intuit.com account and the link should be under Downloads & Unlocks (mine still is, I just double-checked).

Log in at 
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/commerce/account/secure/downloads_unlocks.jsp

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)

Internet Marine

I appreciate the nuance...and have tried it again. There's always that spurt of excitement when it starts looking at the file and says it will take a few minutes...then sends the error message – no matter where the file is OPENed or IMPORTed from.

But thanks for thinking that one through.

Internet Marine

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Wow; genius! Figuring out which email I used and waiting for the password reset...Yes...2007 Download link still works!

Now to get a fresh backup...wait til days end...more later but hope springs eternal. (This has worked in the past!) Many thanks again!

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

GREAT! All the best...

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

BTW, try opening the backup with QM2007, then opening THAT file with QM2016. If that works, it will save you the trouble of using QIF.

(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)

Internet Marine

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

I'm not certain what finally worked, and since it is working I am loathe to be a true scientist and test every possible 'solution'.

In the end, 2007 took one of the 2006 files (backup? Copy? Export?), and I created a Copy and Export. I opened 2016 which gave me a little error about not wanting to import into an empty file. Created a file <Name Finances>, imported the .gif file – and everything is there!

Thanks for the steering...

smayer97

Internet Marine said:

Hello and thank you. 
I do not need anything special. Using the entire file is optimum in fact.
I don not get the experience you describe. Here is my experience.
Open Quicken 2006 on Mac1. Save BackUp to USB stick. Saves as a 3.1MB file "10May2018BU.qdfm"

Insert USB stick into Mac2. Open Quicken 2016. 
File:Open, Navigate to USB Stick, Double click on 10May2017BU file.
Error Message with Quicken Dollar Sign and the word DATA image and 
Could not import "10May2018BU.qdfm"
An error occurred while preparing the file to be imported.
Press OK and it goes no further.

I just tried as an Import a couple of different choices as well, and get the same error...it starts looking at the file, then a second later gives the error.

Glad it worked out for you!