Open files with QIF extension quick and easy. 4 steps
It can be very frustrating when you have a QIF file and you cannot open it. But do not worry, in most cases solution to your problem is very simple. Follow the instruction in steps 1-4 listed below and you should be able to solve your problem and open the QIF file with ease.
QIF File Extension
- File type Quicken Interchange Format
- File developer Intuit
- File category Data Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) QIF file?
QIF (Quicken Interchange Format Format) is a file format that enables users to transfer financial data, such as bank transactions and other information, from one program to another. The data is stored in plain text and consists of transaction-level information. Transactions in a QIF file contain a header detailing relevant information, such as date of transaction, amount and name of transaction. Additionally, the user can save the account name, type, routed number and other details in each transaction.
QIF files can be created by programs such as Intuit's Quicken and Microsoft Money, or exported from financial institutions’ websites. They are also flexible enough to support various programming languages like C++ and Visual Basic, making them convenient to read, write and update. Furthermore, due to its wide application support and availability, it is often preferred over other financial information formats.
How to open QIF file?
QIF file icon should be displayed in a manner characteristic to the program which supports such file type. If QIF file icon is of the form of generic blank page icon or similar it means that given format is not associated with any program installed on the system. Below are listed some of the most popular causes of such situation
Check the QIF file for errors
- No program that supports QIF files is installed on the system
- No program that supports QIF files is associated with this extension (system registry has no entries related to programs that should be used to open QIF files)
- The file is of unknown or unverified origin and is most probably infected. In such case user must exercise extreme caution in order not to allow the virus propagate to other files in the system (follow the instructions displayed in the dialog box in your antivirus software.
- QIF file may be incomplete, which will prevent the system from opening it (this could be the case with file downloaded from the internet or copied from other sources)
- The file is corrupted
How to solve encountered problems?
In order to solve the following problems, follow the instructions:
Step 1. Select, download and install relevant software. The list of programs supporting files with QIF extension can be found below:
Programs that can open QIF files
Step 2. Associate software supporting QIF with this file format
- Right-click on the QIF file
- Select "Open with" option
- Choose appropriate program from the list and select the location where the program is installed
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the "OK" button
Step 3. Scan the QIF file using an antivirus software
Step 4. Verify whether the file has been properly downloaded from the internet or copied from an external storage medium. If not, then re-download or copy the file again.
In 95% of cases following these steps should solve problems with QIF files. Sometimes, although rarely, the cause of encountered problems may be different.
Last resort – an IT expert
Should all the above-mentioned solutions fail to resolve problems with QIF file extensions, there is one last thing you can do – contact an IT expert. You can also try to contact one of the developers of software that supports QIF files.
