QIF File Extension

What is QIF file?

Files with QIF extension are used by financial software Quicken. QIF files contain data related to user’s financial accounts stored in ASCII text format, which is commonly supported by other software.

What are QIF files used for?

QIF format is used for transferring information from a financial insitution’s website to user’s hard drive or as means of exchanging data between various Quicken data files.

QIF file format was developed by Intuit. The format is now regarded as obsolete and is now replaced by newer format – QFX.

Programs which support QIF file extension

The following list contains programs grouped by 3 operating systems that support QIF files. QIF files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

Updated: 01/14/2020

How to open file with QIF extension?

Problems with accessing QIF may be due to various reasons. What is important, all common issues related to files with QIF extension can be resolved by the users themselves. The process is quick and doesn’t involve an IT expert. We have prepared a listing of which will help you resolve your problems with QIF files.

Step 1. Get the Microsoft Money

The most common reason for such problems is the lack of proper applications that supports QIF files installed on the system. This one is an easy one. Select Microsoft Money or one of the recommended programs (for example, WordPerfect Office, GnuCash, QIF2CSV) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. The safest method of downloading Microsoft Money installed is by going to developer’s website (Microsoft Corporation) and downloading the software using provided links.

Step 2. Verify the you have the latest version of Microsoft Money

If the problems with opening QIF files still occur even after installing Microsoft Money, it is possible that you have an outdated version of the software. Check the developer’s website whether a newer version of Microsoft Money is available. Software developers may implement support for more modern file formats in updated versions of their products. If you have an older version of Microsoft Money installed, it may not support QIF format. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using Microsoft Money.

Step 3. Associate Quicken Interchange Format files with Microsoft Money

After installing Microsoft Money (the most recent version) make sure that it is set as the default application to open QIF files. The next step should pose no problems. The procedure is straightforward and largely system-independent

Selecting the first-choice application in Windows

• Choose the Open with entry from the file menu accessed by right-mouse clicking on the QIF file
• Click Choose another app and then select More apps option
• To finalize the process, select Look for another app on this PC entry and using the file explorer select the Microsoft Money installation folder. Confirm by checking Always use this app to open QIF files box and clicking OK button.

Selecting the first-choice application in Mac OS

• Right-click the QIF file and select Information
• Proceed to the Open with section. If its closed, click the title to access available options
• Select Microsoft Money and click Change for all...
• A message window should appear informing that This change will be applied to all files with QIF extension. By clicking Continue you confirm your selection.

Step 4. Verify that the QIF is not faulty

If you followed the instructions form the previous steps yet the issue is still not solved, you should verify the QIF file in question. Problems with opening the file may arise due to various reasons.

1. Check the QIF file for viruses or malware

If the file is infected, the malware that resides in the QIF file hinders attempts to open it. It is advised to scan the system for viruses and malware as soon as possible or use an online antivirus scanner. If the QIF file is indeed infected follow the instructions below.

2. Verify that the QIF file’s structure is intact

If you obtained the problematic QIF file from a third party, ask them to supply you with another copy. The file might have been copied erroneously and the data lost integrity, which precludes from accessing the file. When downloading the file with QIF extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Verify whether your account has administrative rights

Some files require elevated access rights to open them. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the Quicken Interchange Format file.

4. Check whether your system can handle Microsoft Money

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with QIF extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Check if you have the latest updates to the operating system and drivers

Up-to-date system and drivers not only makes your computer more secure, but also may solve problems with Quicken Interchange Format file. It may be the case that the QIF files work properly with updated software that addresses some system bugs.

Do you want to help?

If you have additional information about the QIF file, we will be grateful if you share it with our users. To do this, use the form here and send us your information on QIF file.