QuickBooks File Extensions & Formats

As a QuickBooks accounting software user for your small and medium-sized business, you will come across different types of files and their extensions. Sometimes you would want to know the details and usages of all these file types and their extensions used by QuickBooks software. So, through this article, we would try to satiate your curiosity on this topic.

As the QuickBooks online business grows, it’s only natural that their file extension library expands to match the increased volume of data. QuickBooks Desktop employs a variety of file formats to represent various sorts of data. Your primary company files (QBW), for example, are in a different domain than your backup data files (QBB).

The file formats change based on your operating system and the QuickBooks version you’re using. Do you prefer to work on a PC or a Mac? Which is better, QuickBooks 2016 or QuickBooks 2019? To begin, it’s a good idea to learn about the most popular file extensions and what they mean.

List of QuickBooks Common File Extensions

QuickBooks files are classified based on what they do and how they work. So, what are the most common QuickBooks file extensions? The most essential ones to be aware of are listed below:

File Types	Extension	When are These Extensions Created?
QuickBooks Company File	QBW	This extension is created when you create a company file for your business in QuickBooks software.
QuickBooks Back up File	QBB	Whenever you create the backup for your company file, it will be created with the Extension (.QBB).
Portable QuickBooks File	QBM	For emailing or moving purposes a compressed version of the company file is created with the extension (.QBM).
Bank Statement QuickBooks File	QBO	The transactions file that you download from your online banking website, will be downloaded with the extension (.QBO).

QuickBooks Files for Windows

QBW

Type of File: QuickBooks Company file
The .QBW extension is applied to every company file created in the system. This is where you save your company file and account information. If you form a business called Easy123, for example, it will show up in QuickBooks as Easy123.qbw. One of the most popular files on the site is the QBW file.

QBB

Type of File: QuickBooks Backup file
QuickBooks generates a backup in the system every time you back up a company file and gives it the .QBB extension. Get to know the QBB file because you’ll be seeing it a lot.

QBM

Type of File: QuickBooks Portable file
When you transfer or email a business file, it creates a compressed version with the qbm extension. This aids in the tracking of your data’s journey.

QBO

Type of File: QuickBooks Bank Statement file
When a company downloads transactions from their bank, QuickBooks opens the files in the .QBO format. You may also import a .QBO File into your bank registration to rapidly export transactions. These files aid in the convenience of online banking.

QuickBooks Files for Accountants

QBX

Type of File: Accountant’s Review Copy/Transfer file
QuickBooks assigns the .QBX file extension to backups of your company file for accountants. When it comes to tax season, this makes things a lot easier. The .QBX file is a portable business file that you may export and email to an accountant. When you open the backup, it transforms into an accountant’s copy file.

QBA

Type of File: Accountant’s Copy file
When an accountant opens a .QBX File, these QuickBooks file extension types are produced. When they are forwarded for review, an accountant copy is created.

QBY

Type of File: Accountant’s Copy Import file
QuickBooks file types with .QBY extensions are produced when an accountant opens, evaluates, and changes a .QBA file. You may import these into your company file and make modifications to it (.QBW).

QBJ

Type of File: General Journal Entries file
A General Journal Entries file is required if you wish to include journal entries produced by your accountant. Look for the .QBJ File Extension to find this QuickBooks data.

Utility Files

IIF

Type of File: Intuit Interchange Format file
An IIF file is a type of export file that is produced when data is exported from accounting software. QuickBooks gives your list information an .iif extension whenever you export it.

ND

Type of File: Network Data file
The system will produce a .ND File format once you start using Multi-user mode. This is a file that QuickBooks uses to manage your user access settings.

TLG

Type of File: Transaction Log File
The platform maintains track of changes to a file every time you back it up. The .TLG Extension is used to save the data. QuickBooks resets the data the next time you back up the file. You may look at the transaction logs and reset them if an issue occurs.

DSN

Type of File: Data Source Name File
A .DSN file is a text-type file used by QuickBooks which has information to help QuickBooks to connect to the company file. In most cases, the .DSN file includes the user ID, password, server address, name, and directory of the data source, among other details. Data is often stored in DSN files as plain text, although it can also be kept in the device registry.

LOG

Type of File: Event Log file
The.log file extension in QuickBooks is used to keep track of critical system events. The following are the two types of log files:

QWC.log – This file keeps track of web connection files and errors.
Qbwin.log – This file keeps track of any problems with the file menu that were discovered during the rebuild.

The most common forms of troubleshooting files are log files

ECML

Type of File: Entitlement file
QuickBooks produces a file with the .ecml extension when you register and install it. This plug-in informs QuickBooks Support that you’re running a licensed version of the software.

QBP

Type of File: QuickBooks Print file
When you configure printing preferences, they are saved in a .QBP File. Your settings will be saved automatically by QuickBooks. If you have printing issues, however, you may need to make adjustments to the file.

QuickBooks Files for Mac

QB2016

Type of File: Company file
This is the company file extension for the 2016 edition of QuickBooks for Mac accountants.

QB2019

Type of File: Company file
For the 2019 edition of QuickBooks Pro for Mac, this is the Company File Extension.

MAC.QBB

Type of File: Backup file
When you migrate your Mac files to QuickBooks Desktop for Windows, several QuickBooks file types are used.

DMG

Type of File: Apple Disk Image file
The backup for the QuickBooks corporate file has this extension. It’s saved as a disc image on an Apple computer.

Plist

Type of File: Apple Property List file
This is where your preferences and registration information are saved.

Why Use QuickBooks File Extensions?

Excel, CSV files, PDF files, and text files are not supported by QuickBooks. The company has developed its own lingo. Distinct file extensions have different properties and are used for different reasons. The causes for this include the following:

• By glancing at the extension of a file, it becomes easy to figure out what it contains. Everything is clearly labeled.
• To avoid disorganization, users might organize their data by file extension. It also facilitates auditing.
• When a file is identified, the desktop can open it in the appropriate programmed.
• QuickBooks file extensions allow users to authenticate and safeguard data files.

There are more than 50 different types of QuickBooks file extensions, but you don’t have to know them all. This list covers everything you’ll need to get started. Although it may feel as if you’re learning a new language, once you’re comfortable with these extensions, you’ll find that they streamline processes, produce a faster workflow, and save you time.

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Frequently Asked Questions