QBO vs OFX vs QIF: which format do you need?
Accounting apps import bank data through a few interchange formats. Picking the right one takes ten seconds once you know what each is for.
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .QBO | QuickBooks Desktop (Web Connect) | OFX under the hood plus an Intuit bank ID. The usual choice for Desktop. |
| .OFX | Xero and many other accounting apps | Open banking-data format supported broadly. |
| .QIF | Quicken and older/legacy imports | Simple, long-standing text format. |
| CSV | QuickBooks Online | QuickBooks Online uses a specific CSV layout, not QBO. See the CSV format guide. |
Quick rule of thumb
- QuickBooks Desktop → .QBO
- QuickBooks Online → CSV (3- or 4-column)
- Xero or another app → .OFX
- Quicken → .QIF
Ledgerfeed exports all four from the same bank CSV, Excel or PDF — pick the one your app needs.
Open the free converter →FAQ
Is a QBO file the same as OFX?
Almost — a .QBO is an OFX file with an Intuit bank identifier (INTU.BID) added so QuickBooks accepts it.
Which should I use for QuickBooks Online?
Not QBO — QuickBooks Online imports a specific CSV layout. Use the 3-column or 4-column CSV.