File Types and Extensions Used in QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular accounting software businesses and individuals use to manage their financial transactions and records. It supports various file types and extensions to store and work with financial data. This comprehensive guide will explore the different file types and extensions used in QuickBooks, their purposes, and how to work with them.

  1. Company File (QBW):
  • Extension: QBW
  • Purpose: The QBW file is the core of QuickBooks and contains all your financial data. It’s where you enter and manage your company’s financial information.
  1. Backup File (QBB):
  • Extension: QBB
  • Purpose: A QBB file is a backup copy of your QBW company file. It’s essential for data protection and disaster recovery.
  1. Portable Company File (QBM):
  • Extension: .QBM
  • Purpose: A QBM file is a portable version of your QBW company file designed for easy sharing and transferring between computers.
  1. Accountant’s Copy (QBX):
  • Extension: .QBX
  • Purpose: Accountants use the QBX file to change their QBW company files without disrupting work. Changes can be imported back into the company file.
  1. Working Copy (QBY):
  • Extension: QBY
  • Purpose: Working copies are used by accountants to import changes into the company file, working alongside the accountant’s copy.
  1. Portable Document File (PDF):
  • Extension: PDF
  • Purpose: QuickBooks can generate PDF files for various financial documents and reports. These files are easily shareable and printable.
  1. QuickBooks Install File (EXE):
  • Extension: EXE
  • Purpose: The EXE file installs QuickBooks software on your computer.
  1. Transaction Files (QBO):
  • Extension: .QBO
  • Purpose: QBO files contain financial transactions that can be imported into QuickBooks, often used for importing bank and credit card transactions.
  1. Payroll Setup File (INI):
  • Extension: INI
  • Purpose: INI files store configuration settings for various components of QuickBooks, including payroll setup.
  1. Template File (DES):
  • Extension: .DES
  • Purpose: DES files are template files used for creating customized forms and reports in QuickBooks, defining the layout and design of invoices, purchase orders, etc.
  1. Web Connect File (QWC):
  • Extension: .QWC
  • Purpose: QWC files connect QuickBooks to online banking services, allowing for the automatic import of transactions from your bank.
  1. QuickBooks for Mac File (QBB):
  • Extension: QB2019
  • Purpose: These files are specific to QuickBooks for Mac and store company data. Also used for backups.
  1. Credit Card Statement File (CSV):
  • Extension: CSV
  • Purpose: QuickBooks can import CSV files containing credit card transactions, often provided by banks for reconciliation.
  1. Statement Converter File (OFX, QIF, QFX):
  • Extensions: .OFX, .QIF, .QFX
  • Purpose: These file formats are used for converting bank or credit card statements into a format that can be imported into QuickBooks.
  1. Exported Report File (XLS, XLSX):
  • Extensions: .XLS, .XLSX
  • Purpose: QuickBooks can export financial reports in Excel for further analysis and customization.
  1. Timer Activity File (TDB):
  • Extension: TDB
  • Purpose: TDB files store time-tracking data to import billable hours into QuickBooks for invoicing.
  1. Graph Template File (GTX):
  • Extension: GTX
  • Purpose: GTX files store graph templates, allowing you to save and reuse specific graph settings and designs.
  1. Report Template File (RTP):
  • Extension: .RTP
  • Purpose: RTP files store customized report templates for creating consistent and branded financial reports.
  1. Image Files (JPEG, PNG, GIF):
  • Extensions: .JPEG, .JPG, .PNG, .GIF
  • Purpose: You can attach image files to transactions and records in QuickBooks, often used for receipts and invoices.
  1. Business Plan File (QBP):
  • Extension: QBP
  • Purpose: QBP files store business plans and financial projections within QuickBooks.
  1. Memorized Report File (QBR):
  • Extension: QBR
  • Purpose: QBR files store memorized reports and customized report settings that can be easily recalled and run.
  1. Password Reset Key File (QBW.TLG):
  • Extension: QBW.TLG
  • Purpose: The TLG file is a transaction log file used to reset the administrator password.
  1. Web Page File (HTML):
  • Extension: HTML
  • Purpose: You can export and save reports and forms as HTML files in QuickBooks for web viewing or sharing online.
  1. Server Connection File (ND):
  • Extension: ND
  • Purpose: ND files are server connection files that help QuickBooks Desktop communicate with the company file stored on a network.
  1. Transaction Log File (TLG):
  • Extension: .TLG
  • Purpose: TLG files are transaction log files containing data changes made to the company file since the last backup, used for data recovery.
  1. QuickBooks Online Data (QBO):
  • Extension: QBO
  • Purpose: QBO files export data from QuickBooks Online for backup or migration to QuickBooks Desktop.
  1. QuickBooks License File (QBO):
  • Extension: QBO
  • Purpose: The QBO file can be a license file for QuickBooks software, essential for program activation.
  1. Report Export Template File (IIF):
  • Extension: .IIF
  • Purpose: IIF files export and import data in Intuit Interchange Format, sound for transferring data to and from QuickBooks.
  1. QuickBooks Online Backup File (QBB):
  • Extension: .QBO
  • Purpose: QBO files can also be used as backup files for QuickBooks Online, containing a snapshot of your online company data.
  1. Inventory Data File (IDB):
  • Extension: .IDB
  • Purpose: IDB files store inventory data for QuickBooks Point of Sale (POS) systems.
  1. Third-party Add-on Files (DLL, EXE):
  • Extensions: .DLL, .EXE
  • Purpose: QuickBooks supports third-party add-ons for extended functionality, often requiring these files for installation and integration with the software.
  1. SDK Configuration File (XML):
  • Extension: XML
  • Purpose: XML files are used for configuring the QuickBooks Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers creating custom integrations and applications.
  1. QuickBooks Report File (QBRPT):
  • Extension: .QBRPT
  • Purpose: QBRPT files store QuickBooks reports, and you can use them to share specific reports with others.
  1. Database File (QBBXML, QBXML):
  • Extensions: .QBBXML, .QBXML
  • Purpose: These XML-based files exchange data between QuickBooks and other software applications, allowing integration and synchronization.
  1. Multi-Currency Template File (MCQ):
  • Extension: MCQ
  • Purpose: MCQ files store multi-currency templates for QuickBooks, facilitating the management of international transactions and currency conversion.
  1. Web Store Export File (IIF):
  • Extension: IIF
  • Purpose: IIF files can export web store transactions into QuickBooks, often used by e-commerce businesses for order and sales data integration.
  1. Budget File (IIF):
  • Extension: .IIF
  • Purpose: IIF files store budget data that can be imported into QuickBooks to create budget reports and analyze financial performance.
  1. Fixed Asset Manager File (FA):
  • Extension: FA
  • Purpose: FA files are used with the Fixed Asset Manager tool in QuickBooks to manage and track fixed assets and depreciation.
  1. QuickBooks Timer File (TQT):
  • Extension: TQT
  • Purpose: TQT files store time tracking data from QuickBooks Timer, which can be imported into QuickBooks for invoicing and payroll purposes.
  1. QuickBooks Statement Writer File (QSM):
  • Extension: .QSM
  • Purpose: QSM files are used with the QuickBooks Statement Writer tool to create customized financial statements, including balance sheets and income statements.
  1. Custom Data Import File (IIF):
  • Extension: IIF
  • Purpose: IIF files are used to import custom data into QuickBooks, allowing for the integration of specialized data formats and third-party software.
  1. Multi-Location Inventory File (MIM):
  • Extension: .MIM
  • Purpose: QuickBooks Point of Sale uses MIM files to manage inventory in multi-location businesses.
  1. QuickBooks Timer Report (RTA):
  • Extension: RTA
  • Purpose: RTA files store time tracking reports generated using QuickBooks Timer.
  1. Memorized Report Group File (QBG):
  • Extension: QBG
  • Purpose: QBG files store groups of memorized reports for quick access and batch printing.
  1. QuickBooks Statement Writer Template (QST):
  • Extension: .QST
  • Purpose: QST files store templates for financial statements created with QuickBooks Statement Writer.
  1. Time Tracking Data Import (TDS):
  • Extension: .TDS
  • Purpose: TDS files store time tracking data for import into QuickBooks for invoicing and payroll.
  1. QuickBooks Fixed Asset Manager Database (FAMDB):
  • Extension: FAMDB
  • Purpose: FAMDB files store the database for Fixed Asset Manager, allowing for the management of fixed assets and depreciation.
  1. QuickBooks Business Planner File (QBP):
  • Extension: QBP
  • Purpose: QBP files store business plans and financial projections for strategic planning within QuickBooks.
  1. QuickBooks Scheduled Backup File (QBM):
  • Extension: QBM
  • Purpose: QBM files are used for scheduled backups of your company files, ensuring data protection.
  1. QuickBooks Job Costing File (QWC):
  • Extension: QWC
  • Purpose: QWC files store job costing data and templates, allowing for cost tracking in QuickBooks.
  1. QuickBooks Project Manager File (QPM):
  • Extension: QPM
  • Purpose: QPM files store project management data and templates, facilitating project tracking and reporting.
  1. QuickBooks Loan Manager File (QLM):
  • Extension: QLM
  • Purpose: QLM files are used with QuickBooks Loan Manager for tracking loans and loan payments.
  1. QuickBooks Data Exchange (QXL):
  • Extension: QXL
  • Purpose: QXL files are used for data exchange and integration with other software applications and services.
  1. QuickBooks Data File (QDF):
  • Extension: QDF
  • Purpose: QDF files store and exchange financial data in a structured format for use with other software and databases.
  1. QuickBooks Integrated Application File (QBA):
  • Extension: QBA
  • Purpose: QBA files integrate third-party applications with QuickBooks, allowing for data exchange and synchronization.
  1. QuickBooks Tax File (QBX):
  • Extension: .QBX
  • Purpose: QBX files are used for storing tax data with tax preparation software or for sharing with tax professionals.
  1. QuickBooks Statement (QST):
  • Extension: .QST
  • Purpose: QST files store financial statements generated within QuickBooks.
  1. QuickBooks Backup Copy (QBBXML):
  • Extension: .QBBXML
  • Purpose: QBBXML files are used for creating backup copies of your company file in XML format.
  1. QuickBooks Accountant’s Review Copy (QBY):
  • Extension: QBY
  • Purpose: QBY files are used by accountants for making adjustments and changes during the review process.
  1. QuickBooks Accountant’s Review Copy Working File (QBY.WORKING):
  • Extension: .QBY.WORKING
  • Purpose: These files are working copies that accountants use in the review process.
  1. QuickBooks Payroll Tax Table (TXT):
  • Extension: TXT
  • Purpose: TXT files store payroll tax table data, helping businesses manage payroll tax calculations.
  1. QuickBooks Online Banking File (QBO):
  • Extension: .QBO
  • Purpose: QBO files are used for online banking integration, allowing automatic import of bank transactions.
  1. QuickBooks Timer Data File (TCT):
  • Extension: .TCT
  • Purpose: TCT files store time-tracking data, which can be imported into QuickBooks for invoicing and payroll.
  1. QuickBooks Catalog (QBC):
  • Extension: .QBC
  • Purpose: QBC files are used to create catalogues in QuickBooks for tracking inventory and products.
  1. QuickBooks Script File (QBS):
  • Extension: .QBS
  • Purpose: QBS files store scripts for automating tasks and customizing QuickBooks functionality.
  1. QuickBooks Import File (IIF):
  • Extension: IIF
  • Purpose: IIF files import data into QuickBooks from other software or data sources.

Conclusion

 in conclusion, QuickBooks supports various file types and extensions to handle various financial data management and accounting aspects. Understanding the purpose and usage of these file types is essential for efficiently managing your financial records and integrating them with other software and services. Whether backing up your company file, importing transactions, or customizing reports, QuickBooks provides the tools and file formats to streamline your accounting  processe