Tips to open IIF file

Can't open the IIF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open IIF files as well as a list of programs that support IIF files.

IIF file extension

File Name Intuit Interchange Format
File Developer Intuit
File Category Data Files

The IIF file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the IIF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the IIF file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is IIF file?

The IIF file has been categorized as Data Files. The author of this format is Intuit. Data Files consists of 1326 similar files. Intuit Interchange Format is most often found on 3 operating systems. These systems consist of Linux, Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. It is recommended to use QuickBooks to handle this file. This is a program created by Intuit Inc.. There are also 5 alternative programs to handle the IIF file. You can use Microsoft Excel, gedit, Windows Notepad, Total Office Manager in case QuickBooks cannot be used.

How to open IIF file?

An often recurring problem with Intuit Interchange Format is that IIF is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open IIF, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the IIF file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install QuickBooks

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that QuickBooks is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing QuickBooks into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open IIF files.

Step 2. Create association of QuickBooks with IIF files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the IIF file to open in the QuickBooks application, but you can set it manually. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the IIF file with the QuickBooks application.

Step 3. Update QuickBooks to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the QuickBooks program, it is possible that Intuit Interchange Format requires a newer version of the program. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Intuit Inc. page and install.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the IIF file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the IIF file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our IIF file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover IIF files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
Older version of IIF file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged IIF files. You can restore the file from a backup or use Intuit help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted IIF files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. Copying the IIF file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the IIF file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If nothing helps, please reset the device.