QB Issue Resolution:

When importing an IIF file, you may see an error message with format:

Error on Line XX: (Message varies)

 

Why this is happening

The error message and root cause will vary based on the information that is being imported here are a few examples:

  • Error on line XX: You can’t change the type of an account.
    • Occurs when the account name or account number on line XX is already being used in the file and the account is of a different type.
  • Importing an Invoice or Bill with an account type other than Accounts Receivable (Invoice) or  Accounts Payable (Bill).
  • Importing a transaction with an account that has not been created prior to the import.
How to fix it
Intuit recommends more than one solution for this problem. The first solution may solve your problem, or you may need to try all of them to resolve the issue. For best results, perform the solutions in the order shown.
Solution 1: Edit or delete the row in the IIF file that is generating the error.
To edit the row:
  1. Right-click on the IIF file and select Open with Microsoft Office Excel
  2. Locate the row number referenced in the error message.
  3. Look in the Chart of Accounts in QuickBooks for an with the same account name and/or account number but a different type.
  4. Make the necessary corrections in QuickBooks or the IIF.
  5. Save the IIF file and click Yes to the message: Do you want to keep the workbook in this format?
  6. Import the IIF file again.
To delete the row:
  1. Right-click on the IIF file and select Open with Microsoft Office Excel.
  2. Locate the row number referenced in the error message.
  3. Right-click on the row number referenced in the error, click Delete.
  4. Save the file and click Yes to the message: Do you want to keep the workbook in this format?
  5. Import the IIF file again.

Note: Solutions 2 and 3 should be used only if you are receiving the error when importing transactions with an IIF file.

Solution 2:  Verify that Invoices and Bills that are being imported are using the correct account type.

  • Follow steps in Solution 1 to edit the row of the IIF file in excel so that Invoices and Bills are mapped to the the correct account type.

Solution 3:  Manually create the account with the correct account type being used for transactions being imported.

  1. Open the IIF file in Excel
  2. Find the row in Excel that is referenced in the error.
  3. Identify the Account Name and Account Type being used in this row.
  4. Follow steps in this article to create a new account with the correct account type in QuickBooks.
  5. Import the IIF file again.