How To Import CSV Into QuickBooks?

When you use QuickBooks, it is very clear that you want your accounts and transactional details to be stored properly and retrieved quickly whenever required. With QuickBooks Desktop, you have the freedom to put the data into the rows and columns manually, but the large volume of details that are stored in the Excel sheet or CSV file makes it difficult for users to be accurate enough in putting in the entry manually. Thus, importing CSV into QuickBooks becomes important. Below you will learn how to QuickBooks Import CSV and QuickBooks Import Excel.

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What is a CSV file?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a file format used to store information in rows and columns. Its flexibility allows it to hold various data types, from simple phone numbers and addresses to complex inventory lists, making it valuable in the business world. CSV files are commonly used to import data into applications, databases, and spreadsheets. Additionally, both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop support importing CSV files.

Types of lists can you import into QuickBooks with a CSV file

With a CSV file, you can import various types of list data into QuickBooks. Customer lists, vendor lists, employee lists, and location lists can all be imported. This allows you to manage your customer and vendor information, along with other types of lists, efficiently in QuickBooks. By creating a CSV file with data from your spreadsheet and importing it into QuickBooks, you can keep all your data in one place. This feature makes QuickBooks a one-stop shop for your business data.

Can I import a CSV file into QuickBooks?

Yes, you can import any kind of transaction that is documented in a CSV file into QuickBooks. This includes customer bills, vendor bills, vendor details, customer invoices, employee timesheets, inventory lists, and other financial data.

To import a CSV file into QuickBooks, follow the below steps:

  • Open QuickBooks.
  • Click the File menu.
  • Select Import.
  • Choose the Excel option.
  • Click the Next button.
  • Browse to the CSV file you want to import.
  • Click the Open button.
  • QuickBooks will match the columns in the CSV file to the corresponding fields in QuickBooks. Check the mapping and create essential modifications.
  • Click the Import button.

QuickBooks will import the data from the CSV file into your company file.

Below are some other things to keep in mind when importing a CSV file into QuickBooks:

  • The CSV file must be in a valid format. The required columns for each type of transaction are listed in the QuickBooks help documentation.
  • The data in the CSV file must be accurate. Any errors in the data will prevent the file from importing successfully.
  • In case the CSV file contains serval rows, it may take a while for QuickBooks to import the data.

Step By Step Process Importing CSV In QuickBooks

Before beginning with the import of CSV into QuickBooks, it is crucial to make sure you have installed the toolkit. This particular toolkit consists of:

  1. A Manual – It is a PDF document that contains instructions, best practices, and notes related to QuickBooks import CSV.
  2. CSV Files Folder – The folder contains 4 sample CSV files.
  3. XLS Files Folder – It contains one Excel file that has 4 worksheets.
  4. Allowed Fields – A user guide that assists users with the files that could be used for Excel and CSV import.

Also, the QuickBooks PDF Converter tool should be updated and compatible with the latest QuickBooks edition otherwise issues will come during email invoices, import transactions, etc.

Step 1: Steps to install the QuickBooks Import Excel and CSV toolkit

  1. Click on file download to open the window and download the toolkit.
  2. Click Save
  3. On the Windows desktop, double-click on QuickBooks_Import_Excel_and_CSV.exe. The WinZip Self-Extractor window will open up.
  4. Click Browse and choose the location you want the installed toolkit to be saved.
  5. Click OK after selecting the location.
  6. Choose to Unzip to take out the contents of the folder.
  7. Click Close and the WinZip Self-Extractor window will shut.
  8. Go to the location you have saved the toolkit in and open the CSV folder along with the QuickBooks Import Excel.

Step 2: Steps to Import CSV into QuickBooks

  1. On the left-side menu of the folder that you opened in Step 1(8), click on Banking.
  2. Select the Update drop-down or the option Upload transactions manually.
  3. Click on File to upload/File Upload.
  4. Select Browse and go for the .CSV folder file saved on your system.
  5. Click on Next.
  6. Choose the account you want to import into the QuickBooks account that you are handling.
  7. Click on Next
  8. Map the specific fields
  9. Click Next again
  10. Choose the files you need to import
  11. Click Next
  12. Choose Yes on the numeric notification that appears
  13. Click on Finish

And your import will be complete. To see the imported files, you can go to the Download Transactions window.

Some Common errors in importing bank transactions using CSV

Here are some things to check before you try again if you’ve followed the instructions for manually uploading transactions to QuickBooks, but haven’t been able to import your file.

Wrong Mapping

In the mapping stage, ensure that you select the correct columns. QuickBooks will otherwise be unable to read the data. To make the mapping stage easier, you can:

  1. Remove the columns you don’t require from your CSV to avoid any confusion. The columns required by QuickBooks are:
    • Date
    • Description
    • Amount
  2. Rename the column names in your CSV to match the titles in QuickBooks.

Formatting

Some banks create CSV files differently, so you may need to make extra changes to get your transactions in. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. The amounts column should be kept simple as possible. Highlight the column in the CSV, right-click your mouse, and select Format Cells. If the category for the numbers is set to Currency, change this to General to remove the formatting, and try uploading the file again.
  2. You may encounter special characters in the bank details that prevent your file from being imported. Press Ctrl-H to see these easily and delete them before trying to upload the file again.
  3. To make sure the date format matches the one you selected at the mapping stage, highlight the date column on your Excel screen. Click on the Number dropdown and select Short Date in the dropdown menu.
  4. The best way to check for formatting issues is to highlight the contents of your CSV file, and copy them directly into a blank spreadsheet. This will show anything you haven’t seen before, which can be corrected before uploading.

Money-out transactions only

  1. When uploading a CSV file with a debit and credit column, but only having Money Out transactions, you may get an error.
  2. To work around this, add an extra line with a positive amount. On the last page where you see the list of transactions, untick the line you added, and confirm to upload the transactions.

Steps to Import expenses from a CSV file in QuickBooks

QuickBooks makes it easy to import transactions from a CSV file. Here’s how:

  1. Choose Banking from the Transactions tab.
  2. Choose Upload from the drop-down menu under Link Account.
  3. Drag and drop or click on the Choose Files button.
  4. Open the CSV file by choosing it.
  5. Choose the account you want to upload transactions to in the QuickBooks Account dropdown.
  6. Match the columns on the file with the right fields in QuickBooks by following the onscreen instructions.
  7. Choose the transactions
  8. Select Yes.
  9. Click on the Let’s go.
  10. Later, you can categorize them to assign them to their proper accounts.

Steps to import a CSV file into QuickBooks Online

To import a CSV file into QuickBooks Online, follow these steps:

The procedure for importing a CSV file into QuickBooks Online closely parallels the steps outlined above for importing data into QuickBooks Desktop. The primary distinction lies in the nomenclature of the available choices.

  • Go to the Company menu and select Data.
  • In the Data menu, select Import Data.
  • In the Import Data window, select Import Excel File.
  • Click the Browse button and choose the CSV file that you want to import.
  • Click the Open button.
  • QuickBooks will match the columns in the CSV file to the fields in QuickBooks. Review the mappings and make any necessary changes.
  • Click the Import button to start the import process.

Here are some additional tips for importing a CSV file into QuickBooks Online:

  • Make sure that the CSV file is formatted correctly. The columns in the CSV file must match the fields in QuickBooks.
  • If the CSV file contains a header row, make sure that the first row is not selected when you import the file.
  • If the CSV file contains blank rows, these rows will be ignored during the import process.
  • If you are importing a large CSV file, it may take some time for the import process to complete.

Help QuickBooks Import CSV File Failed, Damaged, Corrupted

NOTE: You cannot only use this approach for importing the CSV files but also for the import of banking transactions, charts of accounts, lists of customers, vendors, etc, credit card transactions, and more.

Though the steps to import the CSV files into QuickBooks are properly mentioned above, there might be instances where you face issues or QuickBooks Error Code relating to the accomplishment of the process.

You don’t need to worry at all in that case. Our reputed professionals are always available to help and guide you. You can call the experts on QuickBooks Support Number at any hour of the day without

Frequently Asked Questions(faq)

How to import CSV into QuickBooks?

To import a CSV file into QuickBooks, follow these steps:
✅ Log in to your QuickBooks account.
✅ Go to the “File” menu and select “Utilities”.
✅ Select “Import” and click on “Excel Files”.
✅ Browse for the CSV file you want to import and click on “Next”.
✅ Follow the on-screen instructions to map the data and complete the import process.

How to upload CSV to QuickBooks?

To upload CSV to QuickBooks:
✅ Open QuickBooks and go to “File” select “Utilities” and then “Import.”
✅ Select “CSV” as the file type and choose the CSV file you want to import.
✅ Map the fields in the CSV file to the corresponding fields in QuickBooks.
✅ Click on “Import” and wait for the process to complete.

How to upload CSV files to QuickBooks?

To upload CSV file to QuickBooks:
✅ Click on the “File” menu and select “Utilities” > “Import” > “Excel Files.”
✅ Select the CSV file to import and click “Open.”
✅ Follow the prompts to map the fields and complete the import process.

How to import CSV credit card transactions into QuickBooks desktop?

To import CSV credit card transactions into QuickBooks desktop follow these steps:
✅ Open QuickBooks and go to the Banking tab.
✅ Click the File Uploads tab.
✅ Select the ‘Upload Credit Card Transactions’ option.
✅ Browse to the location of the CSV file and select it.
✅ Select the bank account you want to upload the transactions.
✅ Click ‘Next’.
✅ Review the transactions and click ‘Next’.
✅ Match the transactions and click ‘Next’.
✅ Review the transaction and click ‘Finish’.
✅ The credit card transactions should now be imported into QuickBooks.

How to upload a CSV file to QuickBooks online?

To upload a CSV file to QuickBooks Online, first log in to your QuickBooks Online account. Then, navigate to the “Banking” tab and select the “Upload transactions” option. This will open the “Upload transactions” page, where you can choose to either drag and drop your CSV file or manually select it. After you have selected your file, click the “Next” button to continue. QuickBooks will then prompt you to match your CSV file’s columns to the appropriate fields in QuickBooks Online. Once you have done this, click the “Next” button again and QuickBooks will begin the upload process. When the upload is complete, QuickBooks will provide a summary of the results.

How to import CSV files into QuickBooks online?

To import a CSV file into QuickBooks Online, go to the Gear icon and select Import Data, then select “Vendors” or “Customers”, depending on what type of data you are importing. Choose the CSV file you wish to upload and then select “Next”. Follow the instructions on the screen to map the fields and complete the import process.

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