How data import works

What kinds of data can I import?

Currently, you can import customers, vendors, and products and services.

QuickBooks can import files in CSV format (for example, from Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo mail) and in Excel's XLS and XLSX formats.

What is a CSV file? CSV ("comma separated values") is a common file format used for text files that contain tabular data. In CSV files, each field of text is separated by a comma, semi-colon, or other special character.

Outlook exports its contacts list in CSV format. Older versions of Microsoft Excel use the XLS file extension; Excel 2007 and newer use the XLSX file extension.

What if I have data in multiple sources?

No problem! For example, if you have some contacts in Excel and some in Outlook, or if you have multiple Excel spreadsheets, just go through the import process for each source.

Why is the first row of my spreadsheet not imported?

If your spreadsheet doesn't have a header row, QuickBooks uses the first row for mapping purposes and does not import it. To fix this, before you import, add a header row to your spreadsheet, or duplicate the first line.

Why does QuickBooks not let me import a particular record from my contact list?

You might already have a contact in QuickBooks with the same name. Change the contact's name before you import it. Remember that you can't import a contact that already exists in QuickBooks.

My spreadsheet has more than 1,000 rows of data. How do I import it?

We can currently import spreadsheets with fewer than 1,000 rows. Split your spreadsheet into smaller ones, and then import each one separately.

QuickBooks didn't import all my columns. Where did they go?

QuickBooks currently imports only specific fields for each type of data.

Which contacts fields are imported?

Which accounts fields are imported?

Which products and services fields are imported?

If I make changes to my contacts on the QuickBooks review screen before I import them, are those changes saved in my original spreadsheet, too?

No, QuickBooks doesn't make any changes to your spreadsheet.

Once I import my contacts, is there an undo or mass delete option if I change my mind?

No, currently there is no undo or mass delete option.

Some of my contacts use foreign currencies. Can I import these?

QuickBooks cannot import currencies directly from your Excel or Outlook contact list; by default your home currency is assigned to all customers and vendors.

To change a currency during the review stage of the import; simply click in the currency column and choose the currency you want to associate with that contact.

To do this, you must turn on multicurrency before starting the import process.