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Importing .QIF files creates separate new account

Steve Horrocks

A brokerage house stopped supporting transaction downloads in .qfx file format but still supports .qif format downloads. I downloaded the .qif files and directed Quicken to import the .qif files into the proper pre-existing four accounts in my QW Classic ver 54.16 build 27.1.54.16. QW created a separate NEW account for each of the four existing accounts instead of directly importing the data into the proper pre-existing account. I used QW functions (Actions dropdown/Move Transactions) to move the imported transactions from the newly created account to the proper pre-existing account. Effective but time consuming.

Is the creation of new accounts an expected action when attempting to import .qif files into existing accounts? Why did QW create new accounts when it was directed to import the data to an existing account?

Is this a feature?

Thanks

Steve

Quicken user since the dark ages of DOS.

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Accepted answers

[Deleted User]

@Steve Horrocks that is correct. However, if you are importing transactions for only one account, I think you can leave the account section altogether and just note the account in the GUI setting. The account name in the QIF file is required when you are updating multiple accounts from a single file.

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20421165#Comment_20421165

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20421163#Comment_20421163

If you want that QIF file to import into an account other than ABC123456, you need to either change ABC123456 in the QIF file to what you want, or remove this section, and select the account name you want in the QIF import dialog:

!Option:AutoSwitch
!Account
NABC123456
TInvst
^

If the account name is in the QIF, it will ALWAYS win out over what you select in the QIF import dialog.

Example:

QIF:

!Account
NNameInQIF
TInvst
^

…

Selection in Quicken:

Selected Import.

Select Yes.

Select Yes.

Select Done.

All comments

[Deleted User]

@Steve Horrocks if you are specifying the exact account when you import the file, duplicate accounts are usually created when the account name in the QIF file is not the same as what is set up in Quicken.

Chris_QPW

If the QIF file has the account and type information in it, it will override any GUI selection for the account.

Like this:

!Account
NTestOFXOut
TCCard
^
!Type:CCard

Ps56k2

just following along - -

Here is a QIF download from my Chase checking acct - the "N" field is sent as "N/A"

!Type:Bank
C*
D02/13/2024
NN/A
PCHECK 7240
T-80.00
^
C*
D02/12/2024
NN/A
PATM WITHDRAWAL
T-100.00
^

Chris_QPW

That is a "different" N field. It is the check number field. You are in the transaction section of the QIF file.

Note that almost no financial institution actually uses the !Account section, but it is the only way I know that will override what you select in the GUI.

BTW do note that the QIF files in Chase credit cards are messed up, they are missing the trailing ^ in each transaction.

Ps56k2

yup -

!Type:CCard
C*
D02/13/2024
NN/A
PAPPLE.COM/BILL
T-0.99

C*
D02/11/2024
NN/A
PJEWEL OSCO 1111
T-25.73

C*
D02/11/2024
NN/A
PJEWEL OSCO 0362
T-3.22

C*
D02/09/2024
NN/A
PPayment Thank You - Web
T416.68

Ps56k2

@Steve Horrocks - can you post the beginning of your downloaded QIF file - so we all can see what you are actually receiving -
If the QIF has an exact acct number - just "9" it out -

Steve Horrocks

OK. I am attaching a part of a QIF file from my brokerage firm. Hope it is enough of a file.

!Option:AutoSwitch
!Account
99999999999999
TInvst
^
!Type:Cat
NDistributions & Income
DDistributions & Income GS Category
T
I
^
!Type:Cat
NDividends
DDividends GS Category
T
I
^
!Type:Cat
NReturn of Capital
DReturn of Capital GS Category
T
I
^
!Type:Cat
NFees
DFees GS Category
T
E
^
!Type:Cat
NInvestment Management
DInvestment Management GS Category
T
E
^
!Type:Cat
NTrading Expenses
DTrading Expenses GS Category
T
E
^
!Type:Security
NAmer Finl Group
SAFG
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NMarketaxess Hld
SMKTX
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NGenie Energy-B
SGNE
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NIdacorp Inc
SIDA
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NDonaldson Co
SDCI
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NBoston Pptys
SBXP
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NPotlatch Corp
SPCH
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NVentas Inc
SVTR
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NUbiquiti Inc
SUI
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NBio-Techne Cp
STECH
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NApa Corp
SAPA
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NSandy Spring
SSASR
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NEnergy Tran Lp
SET
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NSouthstate Cp
SSSB
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NCostco Whole Cp
SCOST
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NNnn Reit Inc
SNNN
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NFirst Source Cp
SSRCE
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NSmith (Ao) Corp
SAOS
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NSTRATEGY SHS GOLD HDGD BD ETF
SGOLY
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NHexcel Corp
SHXL
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NFranklin Elec
SFELE
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NStag Industrial
SSTAG
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NCal-Maine Foods
SCALM
TStock
^
!Type:Security
ND R Horton Inc
SDHI
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NCoca Cola Bottl
SCOKE
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NNucor Corp
SNUE
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NIshars-1-3Ytb
SSHY
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NSPDR BARCLAYS CAPITAL INTERMEDIATE TERM
SSPIB
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NSPDR BARCLAYS CAPITAL 1-3 MONTH T-BILL E
SBIL
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NLennar Corp -A
SLEN
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NGraco Inc
SGGG
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NFIRST TR EXCHANGE TRADED FD IV FIRST T
SFTSM
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NSimulation Plus
SSLP
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NNatl Healthcare
SNHC
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NMid-Amer Apt Cm
SMAA
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NEog Res Inc
SEOG
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NFIRST TRUST TCW OPPORTUNISTIC FIXED INCO
SFIXD
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NFIRST TRUST LOW DURATION MORTGAGE OPPORT
SLMBS
TMutual Fund
^
!Type:Security
NWatsco Inc
SWSO
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NBrady Corp Cl A
SBRC
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NWd 40 Co
SWDFC
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NEnsign Group
SENSG
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NCentral Pac Fin
SCPF
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NArtisan Ptnr Am
SAPAM
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NA-Mark Precious
SAMRK
TStock
^
!Type:Security
NMarkel Group
SMKL
TStock
^
!Clear:AutoSwitch
!Type:Invst
D1/30/2024
NDiv
YBoston Pptys
U5.16
T5.16
M Distributions & Income
L[Investment:Distributions & Income:Dividends]
^
D1/30/2024
NCash
U-0.2800000011920929
T-0.2800000011920929
MFDIC.CASH (Buys) - FO:1086ET94
^
^
D1/30/2024
NSell
YMarkel Group
I1501.39
Q0.18855
T283.08
^
D1/30/2024
NBuy
YA-Mark Precious
I27.35
Q17.22602
T471.19
^
D1/30/2024
NSell
YArtisan Ptnr Am
I42.18
Q7.59297
T320.26
^
D1/30/2024
NSell
YCentral Pac Fin
I19.7
Q17.22697
T339.28
^
D1/30/2024
NBuy
YMarketaxess Hld
I276.07
Q1.70675
T471.18
^
D1/31/2024
NDiv
YBrady Corp Cl A
U1.2
T1.2

Chris_QPW

This will definitely override the GUI setting, and import (create if it doesn't exist) into the account name given.

!Option:AutoSwitch
!Account
99999999999999
TInvst
^

Steve Horrocks

Thanks for all the responses.

@QuickUserPSP implies that the name of the QW account and the 3rd line of the .qif file after the "N" character must exactly match the existing file name in order for the import to not create a "new" account. For example:

!Option:AutoSwitch
!Account
NABC123456

The account name in QW must be ABC123456. Is this correct?

Steve

[Deleted User]

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20421165#Comment_20421165

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20421163#Comment_20421163

!Option:AutoSwitch
!Account
NABC123456
TInvst
^

If the account name is in the QIF, it will ALWAYS win out over what you select in the QIF import dialog.

Example:

QIF:

!Account
NNameInQIF
TInvst
^

…

Selection in Quicken:

Selected Import.

Select Yes.

Select Yes.

Select Done.

Steve Horrocks

Thank you for all the help.

I think that covers my questions.

Ps56k2

always learning a little something - never played with QIF -

and the brokerage QIF file is very different than my test download from Chase -
It appeared the brokerage QIF had a complete set of CAT and TYPE entries to build an entire schema,
and then the actual numerical data elements followed - vs just the simple transaction data like from my Chase download.

Wonder if the brokerage had a choice - download entire account as QIF vs just transactions ?