Import a CSV file into Quicken: the exact format

Recent versions of Quicken Classic for Windows can import banking transactions from CSV via File › File Import › Banking Transactions › From (.CSV) File. The catch: the columns must be in an exact order, and Quicken's help says CSV imports are not matched against existing transactions.

Updated 2026-10-26 · 5 min read

The required columns (Quicken for Windows)

Quicken's help lists these columns, in this order. The first seven must exist (even if empty); those marked * need a value in every row:

Date * (mm/dd/yyyy)
Payee *
FI Payee (ignored, kept for Mint compatibility)
Amount * (signed: negative = money out)
Debit/Credit (leave blank)
Category
Account * (the Quicken account name)
Tag, 9. Memo, 10. Chknum (optional)

Use Category:Subcategory for subcategories, quote fields that contain commas, and save as UTF-8.

Steps

Back up your Quicken file.
Rearrange your bank's CSV into the layout above (Quicken can create a sample file for you from the import window).
File › File Import › Banking Transactions › From (.CSV) File › Choose .CSV File to Import.
If an account name is unknown, Quicken asks whether to ignore, use an existing account or create one.

Why QFX is often the better choice

Duplicates: CSV imports add every row, even ones already in the register. QFX (Web Connect) imports are matched, and each transaction carries an ID.
Transfers: Quicken notes that CSV imports don't create transfers.
Format errors: one misplaced column and the import fails; QFX has a fixed structure.

If your bank gives you CSV, PDF, Excel, MT940 or another format, Ledgermere can export a QFX file for Quicken. It does not write Quicken's 7-column CSV layout, so if you specifically want CSV you'll need to arrange the columns in a spreadsheet.

Quicken for Mac

Quicken for Mac imports QFX Web Connect files and has its own CSV import options; menu names differ from Windows. Check Quicken's Mac help for your version.

Try it with your own file. Ledgermere converts PDF/CSV/Excel statements, OFX/QFX/QBO, QIF, MT940, camt.053, BAI2 and Norma 43 to QBO, QFX, IIF, QuickBooks Online CSV, Xero CSV, OFX, QIF, CSV or Excel – in your browser, nothing is uploaded. The free version exports the first 20 transactions so you can test the import first; a 30-day pass is $9, lifetime $29.

Open Ledgermere – free

Questions and answers

Can Quicken import Excel (.xlsx) files?

No. Quicken's support page says Quicken for Windows cannot import Excel, QuickBooks, PDF or OFX files. Save as CSV in Quicken's layout, or convert to QFX.

Quicken says the CSV format is wrong

Check that all seven first columns are present in the exact order, dates are mm/dd/yyyy and amounts are signed. Don't add, remove or reorder columns.

I imported the same CSV twice

CSV imports are not matched, so you now have duplicates. Restore your backup or delete the duplicate rows in the register.

Sources and product names: Quicken Help "Import transactions from .CSV file" and Quicken support "How do I import data into Quicken for Windows?" (checked 2026-10-26). QuickBooks and Quicken are trademarks of Intuit Inc. or Quicken Inc.; Xero is a trademark of Xero Limited. Ledgermere is independent and not affiliated with them.