How to Convert Quicken From Macintosh to Windows

Quicken is a personal finance software package developed by Intuit. It is embraced by both Macintosh and PC users, even though Intuit historically releases new versions for Windows on a far more frequent basis than it does for Mac. One of the common criticisms of Quicken is that Windows versions contain features that are not replicated on Mac versions. Unfortunately, Quicken files created on a Mac can't be read by the Windows versions performing a little work beforehand.

Things You'll Need

• Windows-formatted flash drive
• Mac with Quicken installed
• PC with Quicken installed

Instructions

1. Understand that the conversion process won't be seamless. Although most of the data will transfer cleanly, some data will have to rekeyed on the Windows file. This data includes Online Account Information, Budgets, Memorized Reports and QuickFill Transactions on your Calendar, along with a few other preferences.

2. Make a backup copy of your Macintosh Quicken data before doing anything else, because it's always a good practice to work with a copy and not the original file.

3. Check the date settings on your Mac before opening the Quicken files. Launch "System Preference" (found under the apple in the upper left of your screen) and select "Language & Text." Then highlight "Formats" and confirm that your dates are formatted for the United States. Incorrect settings could contaminate the data during conversion.

4. Launch Quicken on the Mac, select "Accounts" from the "Lists" menu and check the "Show Hidden Accounts" checkbox. Confirm that the account names don't contain any nonalphanumeric characters and that none of the accounts have the same name as a category (such as Petty Cash). In addition, you are unable to name an account "Cash." You can easily rename an account by selecting "Edit Account" under the "Edit" menu.

5. Confirm that all ticker symbols for stocks and funds are in all caps and that no category names or class fields exceed 29 characters, including spaces. These can be edited by opening the list under the "List" menu, highlighting the account and clicking the "Edit" button.

6. Press "Command+Option+B" on your keyboard to reindex your Quicken file, and then save a copy of the file to the desktop by selecting "Save A Copy" under the "File" menu.

7. Open the saved copy on the desktop and select "Export" under the "File" menu and choose "To QIF." Save the file, confirming it has the .QIF suffix, and copy to a Windows-formatted flash drive. Then plug the flash drive into the PC.

8. Launch Quicken on the PC and create a new file (not a new account) by selecting "New" under the "File" menu. Select "Import" from under "File," navigate to the .QIF file on the flash drive and select "All Accounts" in the "Accounts" field. Then select the following in the QIF Import window:
   Transactions
   Account List
   Security List
   Category List
   Special Handling For Transfers

9. Confirm that your conversion was successful by comparing the balances on the Mac and Windows files.

Tips & Warnings

• Options for backing up files include copying to an external hard drive, burning to a CD or DVD, archiving on a flash drive or emailing it to yourself.

• If you have multiple Quicken files (not multiple accounts in one file), you will have to perform this procedure for each file.

• Make sure you know all passwords before proceeding.

• Confirm all data is valid before deleting any data and/or files.

References

• Intuit.com: Support

Resources

• Intuit.com: Quicken for Windows