Limits on QIF Transfer Files

Grouchy · September 2020

Are there limits in terms of years of data or file size for QIF files? File on old computer with Q 2010 spans 10 years. Exported all accounts, categories, etc. from old computer using QIF. Import into Q 2013 on new computer but only about 8 years of data shows up on new computer.

splasher · September 2020

Why are you using QIF import?

QW2013 should be able to read a QW2010 data file directly.

Grouchy · September 2020

I was wondering about that. Copy the file from the old computer and paste it into the appropriate location. I will give it a try tonight.

NotACPA · September 2020

DON'T "copy and paste".

Instead, just take a Q backup on the old computer and RESTORE it to the new.

volvogirl · September 2020

But after you make a backup you will still have to copy the .qdf or .qdf-backup file (usually to a usb flash drive) and then copy or paste it to the new computer hard drive. Then you would restore it to Quicken.

NotACPA · September 2020

I'd direct the backup to be stored on the USB drive ... and then restore directly from there.

No file moving, just USB moving

splasher · September 2020

Doesn't really matter how the OP gets the file from old to new, whatever is comfortable for them.
What is important is that if they move the file, they OPEN it, if they move a backup, they RESTORE it.
The horse is dead, no need to beat it any further.

Grouchy · September 2020

Copied the file from the old computer, sent via network to new computer, opened file "Voila!" Set the computers side by side and verified exactly the same. Duh-oh! I should have known this.

Rocket J Squirrel · September 2020

There are some options, like printer settings, that are not stored in the data file. So I recommend you go through all the settings & preferences to make sure they're the way you like them.

splasher · September 2020

Glad to hear it worked out.

Chris_QPW · September 2020

BTW just for the record. There isn't any limit on the "date range/amount of data" in a QIF file, but since they lack a lot of information that would be in the data file, and because the handling of transfers during such an import is so bad in Quicken, it is something you do only as a last resort.

QuickStudy · December 2020

I wasn't able to have any issues with # of transactions or file size with my Mac QIF to Windows subscription QIF import process that I just did. The resulting Windows QDF file is now at 66.5 MB and the Mac side had 3 bank accounts and 27 individual investment accounts spanning the years 1994 to 2019 (when I stopped entering data on QFM2007). Here's the conversion process I followed:
==============================================================
I was able successfully upgrade my Quicken for Mac 2007 (QFM2007) data file to Quicken for Windows (QFW) subscription (Quicken 2018 deluxe E30.10 build 27.1.30.10) running in Windows 7 SP2. I did this using many tips from other posts and boards. Overall conversion process and errors found in QFW are shown below. This conversion process will take 12-19 hours for a Quicken account with 3 bank accounts and 27 investment accounts (YMMV). - QuickStudy

Conversion process:
1. QFM2007 side
a. Update the QFM2007 file with all of your securities (shares up-to-date)
b. Update the security (share) price by syncing with the Quicken server in QFM2007
c. Backup this file
d. Export the updated QFM2007 file using the QIF file format export feature (for safety sake I used a filename format of 8 characters with .qif file extension; example: johndoeQ.qif)
i. My Account and QIF file contained 3 bank accounts and 27 investment accounts
2. QFW side
a. Transfer a copy of the QIF file to Windows to a folder of your choice
b. Download the QIF file fixer program CLEANQIF from http://www.quicknperlwiz.com (at http://www.quicknperlwiz.com/cleanqif.html)
c. Fix the Mac QIF file for known date formatting issues
i. Drop the QIF file onto the CLEANQIF.exe application to create a new date-fixed QIF file with the correct Windows date formatting within that QIF file
ii. Save the new QIF file
iii. (If you do not fix the QIF file dates – all QFW side converted transactions will be in year 19xx dating (example: a transaction occurring in QFM2007 on 3/26/2009 will be shown in QFW as 3/26/1909 and therefore the IRR/NPV and all other time-based investment performance calculations are wrong in QFW with the incorrect dating. Y2K)
d. Create a backup copy of this fixed QIF file
e. Launch QFW and create a New Account
f. Import the date-corrected QIF file
i. Select Yes for each sub account in the QIF file to import all accounts (bank and investment accounts)
g. Review and compare each account in QFW with the original QFM2007 account
h. Adjust cash balances to your original QFM2007 account using the appropriate transaction
i. (I used Misc. transaction in QFW to make a deposit or payment to a fictitious payee in order to get the QFW cash balance to = QFM2007 cash balance in each sub-account)
i. Save a copy of this new QFW file (quicken data file format .QDF file extension) in File Explorer to your backup drive
j. Have QFW make a backup of this Quicken data file (QDF file)
k. Review all (sub) accounts for share amount, account designation (retirement/IRA, taxable/non-taxable, and the like).
Issues found on the QFW-side after the conversion process:
1. Cash balances in each investment (sub) account were VERY different than each QFM2007 (sub) account
a. In most examples there was a $0.00 cash balance in the QFM2007 account and the QFW account had negative or positive cash balances
i. (QFW accounts had about ~4-9 % of the account value as a different cash balance in QFW as compared to the QFM2007 account)
2. Cash balances in the bank accounts was closer but did not match the same QFM2007 bank account balance
3. Stock tickers were missing on all (each) security in QFW and had to be manually added back.
a. Click on the security in QFW
b. Update the ticker symbol
c. Check the Asset Allocation box so that the allocation amounts sync
d. Update the security historical prices (syncs historical prices and allocation)
e. (Oddly the QFM Subscription version 5.18.2 build 518.35919.100 imported QIF file running on a separate Mac (2014-era operating OS X El Capitan 10.11) was pristine match for QFM2007 file cash and share balances and working ticker symbols)
4. Account gains and investment performances were slightly different in QFW than the QFM2007 (and QFM subscription converted files).
a. Not sure how to get QFW to equal the performance metrics from QFM2007
5. Account designations were not correct in QFW (retirement/IRA)
a. (Oddly the QFM Subscription version 5.18.2 build 518.35919.100 imported QIF file running on a separate Mac (2014-era operating OS X El Capitan 10.11) was pristine match for account designations like Retirement)
References:
• https://www.quicken.com/support/converting-your-data-quicken-mac
• https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7869495/qif-file-import-dates-in-wrong-century-1917-vs-2017
• https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20132379#Comment_20132379
• Me - https://community.quicken.com/profile/QuickStudy

Limits on QIF Transfer Files

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