Quicken formats: QFX vs QIF vs QXF vs CSV Mint

To import transactions in Quicken Classic, you may use the following formats:

QFX (web connect) - works for Quicken Classic for Windows, and Quicken Classic for macOS
QIF - works for Quicken Classic for Windows
CSV Mint - works for Quicken Classic for macOS
QXF - is not used to import transactions, but used to transfer data from one Quicken to another

QFX (Web Connect) File Format

Make sure to use different account ID for mutliple accounts

Once a QFX file is imported under an account in Quicken you choose during the import, it “online links” that account to bank settings supplied in that QFX file. If you have other QFX files with different settings then your currently for the account in “online link”, Quicken will not allow you to import that other QFX file under the “occupied” account. The fix for that is simple: edit account, click on the “Online Services” tab, and select “deactivate online link”.

Categories and tags are set after import

QFX format as extended OFX format with additional Quicken only details, but the OFX specification does not provide category or tag attribute for transactions (or anything else similar) That’s it; you cannot import categories and tags assigned to your transactions using the QFX (Web Connect) format. There is a workaround (no great, but some) this limitation for categories: you can set “rename rules” in Quicken to have categories assigned to specific payee names. It should be ok for most payees, but not retailer stores, like Walmart.

Non-USD accounts

Use the QIF format, non-USD currencies are not supported by Quicken to import QFX files. A workaround: create a proxy account with USD currency, import transactions there, then select all transactions there and then cut and paste transactions under the intended non-USD account.

When you select the QFX file, you will be offered to choose the existing account or create a new account. Either one will work - you can just have the transactions under an existing account or cut and paste transactions from a new account to another account.

QFX files have INTU.BID - QFX bank identifier - it can be any 'allowed' bank and you can change it before converting to a QFX file.

Quicken is changing account non-USD currency on QFX import

As reported on the Quicken community forum when Quicken 2016 R7 US edition or later (including Quicken from 2017 to 2024 all releases) imports a QFX file with USD currency on a non-USD account (Quicken allows to choose a non-USD account during QFX import), the account currency is changed to USD currency. Users cannot change the account currency back, so this is considered an issue that hopefully will be changed in the next release.

Quicken users face the issue of importing QFX files on non-USD accounts:

Importing with the USD currency set for the QFX file will result in the account currency being changed to USD in Quicken which cannot be changed back
Importing with non-USD currency set for the QFX file will be refused by Quicken

It is strongly advised to make a backup before importing any file into Quicken.

There are two workarounds for this issue when it comes to the import of transactions.

1. Use a proxy account and import a QFX file there and then cut and paste transactions under another account. Do not worry about currencies, amounts stay the same when you cut and paste transactions from one account to another if they have different currencies.

How to cut and paste transactions:

select an account with transactions
right click on the transactions grid, click "select all transactions"
right click again and click "cut transactions"
switch to another account
right click on the transactions grid and select "paste transactions"

2. Use the QIF format.

Quicken rejects a QFX file

For older Quicken versions, convert to QIF instead of QFX.

QFX files are Web Connect files, not QXF files. Import QFX files into Quicken through File->Import->Web Connect File under the main menu.

Import QFX into a Discontinued Quicken

If your Quicken is an "after sunset" or discontinued (for example, Quicken 2017 or earlier) version, you can still import transactions as QIF files. Convert QFX to QIF and import. Save your time on bookkeeping.

Quicken doesn't "see" a QFX file

QFX files are Web Connect files. Import QFX files through File->Import->Web Connect file.

Most likely the reason Quicken does not "see" the QFX file when you are trying to import a QXF file through File->Import->QXF file. QXF files are not to import transactions, only to transfer data between two Quickens.

QIF File Format

This format does not have currency (import under any account), supports categories and tags. If you are comfortable with your computer, the QIF format should easier overall for Quicken for Windows.

CSV Mint file format

This is specifically formatted CSV file that Quicken for macOS imports into a new account. Categories are supported, unlike QFX format.

After transactions are imported, open the new account, select transactions there and drag them with your mouse to the intended account on the right sidebar. Delete create temporary account after.

QXF file format

QXF is not QFX format and cannot be used to import transactions. It is used to transfer the whole data file from one Quicken to another.

“.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).

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 using Quicken Classic for Mac, 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.