importing data to produce checks

[sager]

Quickbooks Version: Premier Edition 2004
I want to import data to produce checks, to be printed, from an Excel file which will be created by a custom application. The following is a list of field I would like to import:

Vendor Name
Address
Check Amount
Memo field
Bank account (all from same bank account)
Account ( choice between up to three accounts)

I tried Quickbooks Help by phone (My company paid for support) but was told Quickbooks does not support the importation of data into its program.
If I create a report on the check register (the same info I need to import) and export the report I get an IIF file, which seem to be a Quickbooks specific format. How do I create an IIF file to import? I am not familiar with that program?

Could you please tell me if I can do this and how (if its in the helpfile, please point me to the specific section)


thanks
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[qbsrox]

Sager,

Instead of dealing with the .iif format....export as you mentioned to get a 'template' that you can use; open it in EXCEL.

Make a test copy of your file....no importing into the original file until you have tested everything :-)

In 2004, there is the new Excel mapping feature....so you don't need to deal with the .iif format. To get the template... Create the Report, Export, Open in Excel, Delete the top few lines that has the .iif Headers and put your own Headers in.

Save the file.

From within QB's, go to Import, Excel Files .... and set-up your mappings. Fair warning.....it is not as easy as it sounds, QB's is VERY picky...ugh! I don't know if you will be able to get what you want accomplished, but you can give it a good try.

Best of luck,
Rox :-)

[sager]

Thanks, - will try that and will let you know.

Thanks for the fast response, I appreciate the help

[gibbo]

Manually creating IIF files is not that simple. They involve a header line and detail line (or Lines) for each transaction. This means that you cannot simply paste information from an exported file into Excel and create the IIF. It requires the header and detail for each transaction. The only way to make this workable is to get someone to write code which will take the exported file and do all the work for you. We are writing utilities for clients that do this, though the preference is now to use xml rather than IIF files. This allows the whole process to be automated, including the import. It can also ensure that Vendors exist before attemting to pst transactions to them.
How many cheuqes are you importing and how often?