QuickBooks Desktop File Extensions Use

QuickBooks Desktop File Extensions use to make your work easier. But it is important to know that every software program which is installed on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, has a certain specific format or extension that allows such programs to manage files appropriately. For instance, we use an office productivity suite to manage documents, stylesheets, presentation, etc. Similarly, Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software also has its own specific file extensions or formats that allow users to create and save their financial accounting data in a pre-defined file and access the same in the future.

Thus, in this article, we will show you the file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop and how to identify each file with the help of their formats. In addition to this, you can also contact our QuickBooks customer support center for any assistance you need with regards to QuickBooks. Contact our Feel free to avail QuickBooks support services at Bizimatrix round the clock.

Importance of File Extensions Used In QuickBooks Desktop

Several small businesses use QuickBooks for the smooth management of various tasks like maintaining books of accounts, creating reports and invoices, filing tax returns, keeping tabs on merchandise, managing employee/staff payroll and much more. QuickBooks is, therefore, a multi-featured software tool that lets you keep all your accounting-related data organized and easily accessible when needed.

Below are some of the importance of file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop accounting software tool:

It helps in identifying the type of file.
File extensions make searching much easier.
QuickBooks allows users to quickly identify files and their contents with the help of extensions/formats.
File extensions in QuickBooks Desktop provide a simple method of keeping together files that are of the same type.
Maintains the integrity and security of the file.

These are just a few of the many importance of file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop. In the later sections, you will read about the different file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop and their purpose.

Types of File Extensions Used In QuickBooks Desktop On Windows Operating System

If you are using a Windows operating system, you will notice that files do not show their extensions or formats. This is because Windows has disabled showing file extensions by default. However, you can easily enable showing file extensions with the help of these simple steps as given below:

Show File Extensions In Windows Operating System

In order to identify file types, especially in the Windows operating system platform, whether it’s your QuickBooks data or any other file, you must first enable displaying their file extensions. This is to help you easily identify the appropriate file types without having to open the file.

The steps given below will allow you to show file extensions on your desktop or laptop running Windows operating system.

Steps:

Windows 7

Click Start, type “folder options” (without quotes) in the search box, then click to open.
At the Folder Options window, click the View tab and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.
Click Apply, then click OK.

Windows 8, 8.1 Pro & 10

Open File Explorer window and go to the View tab.
Click Files, then check the box labeled File name extensions on the right.

Note: Mac operating system enables displaying file extensions by default.

Identifying File Extensions Used In QuickBooks Desktop On Windows

There are different types of files in QuickBooks Desktop, each one having its own specific description. The tables shown below lists all the file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop along with their description.

QuickBooks Working File Types

File Extension	Type of File	Description
*.QBW	QuickBooks company file	Associated with storing data such as financial information, templates, letters, logo, and images of your company/business brand.

*.QBB	QuickBooks Backup file	Stores a backup copy of your QuickBooks company file (.QBW), including data contained in it.
*.QBM	QuickBooks portable file	This is a compressed QuickBooks company file and is ideal for sharing because of its small size.
*.QBI	QuickBooks Image file	Associated with transactions that have been written until they are posted to your computer’s local hard drive.
*.QBR	QuickBooks Report template	When exporting the template for a memorized file, QuickBooks saves the file with a .QBR extension.
*.DES	Layout Designer template export file	QuickBooks provides a variety of templates through which you can design your forms.
*.QBO	QuickBooks Online bank statement file	Stores electronic bank statements downloaded from your financial institution’s website.
*.INI	Initialization file	A configuration log file for QuickBooks.
*.LGB	Little Green Box	Related to SDK log files for QuickBooks, containing encrypted information like username and password. The username and password saved in this file are utilized to connect with the Sybase server.
*.QWC	QuickBooks Web Connector	The file associated with containing encrypted data about third-party applications integrated with QuickBooks.
*.QBP	QuickBooks Print file	Stores form settings used by QuickBooks to print the form.
*.WPR.INI	Windows Print file	Stores printer settings for QuickBooks.

QuickBooks Accounting File Types

File Extension	Type of File	Description
*.AIF	Accountant’s Copy import file	This file is generated when an Accountant’s copy is exported and is then imported to a client’s company file.
*.QBA	QuickBooks Accountant copy a working file	The file used for the Accountant’s review.

*.QBA.TLG	Transaction log file for the Accountant’s copy	When you back up an Accountant’s review copy, QuickBooks creates a log of transactions that you’ve entered since the last time of back up. This is useful in case when you accidentally lose your company data, the Intuit technical support team can recover your data from the backup in conjunction with the transaction log file.
*.QBJ	General Journal Entries	It can be used to easily incorporate general journal entries created by your Accountant into your company file.
*.QBX	Accountant’s review copy (export file)	Backup made for an Accountant’s copy. When your Accountant restores this file, it becomes your Accountant’s copy of the file.
*.QBY	Accountant’s Copy import file	When your Accountant has finished making changes in the Accountant’s copy, then he/she provides you the imported.QBY file to your company file.

QuickBooks Utility and Log File Types

File Extension	Type of File	Description
*.AVI	Audio Video Interleave	A multimedia file format containing both audio and video data. It is used in QuickBooks for “Show Me” files.
*.IIF	Intuit Interchange Format	Maybe created for importing lists and transactions.
*.ND	Network Data file	A configuration file that allows access to the QuickBooks company file.
*.RTP		Used for auto-patch.
*.TLG	Transaction log file	Keeps track of changes to the file since the last backup.
*.WAV	Waveform Audio file format	Sound advise files (used in the CD version of QuickBooks).

*.Qbwin.log	QB Windows log	The file is created/updated when a user runs verify and/or rebuild. Log problems found/situations corrected.
*.QBBackup.tmp	QB backup temporary	File created during failed online or scheduled the backup with the date and time stamp. It cannot be used to restore data.
*.Temp1234.qbt		File created during pass 1 of a rebuild and deleted automatically when the rebuild is completed.
*.QBSDK.log		Logs for errors in QuickBooks and other services such as web connectors.
*.QWC.log	QB Web Connector log	Logs for web connector errors and process.
*.SyncManagerLogger.log	Sync Manager log	Logs for sync errors and actions.
*.ECML	Entitlement file	Stores installation license and registration data.

QuickBooks Payroll File Types (Applies to the US only)

File Extension	Description
*.1PA	Files used to create forms 940 and 941 (QuickBooks for Windows 4.0 through QuickBooks 2004).
.TXT & .SET	Used in QuickPay version 2.0/2.1.
Prddesvr.exe, Product.fam, Perwin95.ini, Perrval.dll	These files are used for printing 940/941 forms.
Taxtbl.usa	Integrated Payroll tax table file.

QuickBooks Statement Writer (QSW) File Types

File Extension	File Type
*.QSM	QSW Statement file
*.QSS	QSW Appearance file
*.QST	QSW Template file

Fixed Asset Manager or FAM (Applies to the US only)

File Extension	Description
*.Fx0	Compressed FAM data file. Stores asset data.
*.Fx1	Stores system data.
*.Mx0	Header file.
*.FPx	Stores report data.
*.FXR	FAM backup sync log file.
*.FIM	Stores CSV import data headers.

Note: In the above table, ‘x’ will vary based on the version. For example, QuickBooks 14.0 = F30.

Fixed Asset Manager Data files have a specific naming convention followed by each version of QuickBooks:

QuickBooks 18.0 = F70

QuickBooks 17.0 = F60

QuickBooks 16.0 = F50

QuickBooks for Mac (Applies to the US only)

File Extension	Description
*.QB2016	QuickBooks 2016 for Mac company data file.
*.QBB	Windows-compatible QuickBooks for Mac backup file.
*.QBMB	QuickBooks for Mac disk backup file (QuickBooks for Mac 2012 and earlier).
*.DMG	QuickBooks for Mac 2013 and later use the Apple disk image to create backups.
*.plist	Preference files that store registration and any preferences set within QuickBooks.

Contact QuickBooks Support At Bizimatrix

You can find more help and support with regards to file extensions used in QuickBooks Desktop by Our QuickBooks support experts. Our Intuit Certified QuickBooks experts at Bizimatrix can be reached 24×7 for assistance.

If you have any questions, give us a call right away!