“.OFX” or “.QFX” for Quicken

QFX (web connect) is the most confusing file of all types of transaction files.

QFX files are "Quicken OFX" files
QFX files are not OFX files

Some confusion that you may see when you work with QFX files. OFX file has a .ofx extension and the QFX file (Web Connect File) has a .qfx extension. Quicken marks them, when you install Quicken on your computer, register Doc files as Quicken OFX files. So you can be easily confused, that the .qfx file is actually an OFX file, but it is not. QFX file is Quicken Web Connect File, which Quicken calls a Quicken OFX data file. Quicken doesn't import OFX files. It imports only .qfx files. But Quicken calls them Quicken OFX files. So when you use some converters, for example, ProperSoft CSV2QFX converter and you convert CSV to QFX and you'll get the .qfx file, but you'll see in the file explorer, that it's called Quicken OFX data file, if you have installed Quicken on your computer. Don't be confused by this description here.

QFX files are not OFX files

When you install Quicken on your computer, you will see QFX files described as "Quicken OFX" files. This is a great misunderstanding, as Quicken does not import OFX files at all, and imports QFX files only (also, Quicken has to be at not older than three years to import QFX files, and Quicken imports QIF files). The video below explains the confusion about QFX and OFX files.

The short answer for OFX or QFX: QFX

Why? Short answer: Quicken does not import OFX files (even if it says it does).

If you are looking to convert CSV or Excel files to QFX format, use the CSV2QFX converter.
To convert PDF files to QFX format, use the PDF2QFX converter.
Use the QIF2QFX converter, when you need to convert QIF to QFX format.
Quicken does not import OFX, and to convert OFX to QFX, use the OFX2QFX converter.
For multiple formats conversion (QBO, QFX, OFX, QIF or to correct a non-importable QFX file) to QFX format, use the ProperConvert converter.

Explanation

Quicken imports QFX files (not ".OFX") and calls them “Quicken OFX files.” From Quicken's point of view, Quicken should import OFX as it calls QFX files “Quicken OFX files.” In reality, Quicken imports QFX files only, and QFX files are EXTENDED OFX files. It means QFX files follow the OFX specification and have ADDITIONAL ATTRIBUTES that Quicken looks for when it imports a QFX or an OFX file.

Alternatives for QFX format for Quicken

If you are using Quicken for PC, a great and working alternative is the QIF format. Quicken for PC imports correctly prepared QIF files fine. Quicken 2005-2023 imports QIF files fine.
If you are a Quicken for Mac (2015-2023) user, there is a possibility to import CSV Mint files (files similar to CSV files exported from Mint). The converter converts your Excel or CSV files to “CSV Mint” files.

What about the QXF format?

The QXF format adds to this confusion, as it looks very similar to QFX. Even more, your autocorrect may switch QXF to QFX or QFX to QXF as you type, so if you ask a support question, you may get an unexcepted answer. QXF format is not for transaction import, but for data transfer: you will replace your whole dataset in Quicken when you get a QXF file successfully imported.

Backup before any import

Safety first: make sure to backup your Quicken file before any import: QFX, QIF, QXF or even OFX.