Choose the format your destination supports, then review the extracted data before importing. An export option does not guarantee that every version of an accounting product will accept the file.
Compare the practical differences
| Question | CSV | QBO |
|---|---|---|
| Can I inspect and edit rows in a spreadsheet? | Yes | Review a companion Excel or CSV export |
| Does the file contain named columns? | Yes | Uses structured financial fields |
| Will I need to map columns? | Often | Depends on the import workflow |
| Does our export include transaction IDs? | No dedicated ID column | Generated FITIDs |
| Are duplicate uploads guaranteed to be prevented? | No | No |
| Does our export hold account metadata? | General CSV contains transaction rows only | Includes detected account details |
Use CSV for an editable workflow
CSV is useful when you need to review, filter, or rearrange the transaction fields. Our general CSV has Date, Description, Debit, Credit, and Balance columns. Prepare a copy matching the destination's requirements rather than importing every column automatically.
For Xero, use the Xero-specific export and follow the Xero preparation guide. For QuickBooks, consult its current import screen and the CSV formatting instructions from Intuit.
Use QBO when the destination supports it
Our QBO export contains signed transaction amounts, a statement currency, account details, and generated identifiers. It currently describes the account as checking. Verify those details against the destination account before using it.
The identifiers depend on the extracted values and row position. They can change between conversions, so compare overlapping periods even when using QBO. Read our QuickBooks guide for the full limitations.
Keep Excel for checking
An Excel workbook is often the easiest review copy because the Summary and Transactions sheets are separate. Download it alongside an accounting export and keep the original PDF so you can trace an amount back to the source.
Renaming CSV to QBO, or QBO to another extension, does not convert the file structure. Use the correct exporter or your bank's own supported download.