Return to site

File Extensions Used in QuickBooks Desktop Edition

file extension

In this post we are going to understand how QuickBooks File Extensions are Used in QuickBooks Desktop Editions.

Different file extensions for each file type are used by different QuickBooks versions such as QuickBooks 2016, QuickBooks Enterprise 2017, etc. to save data and each file type has its own importance.

For this particular study we are using QuickBooks Desktop Hosting environment, which is same as QuickBooks Desktop but is hosted on a server. To understand more about QuickBooks In A Hosted Environment Check out QuickBooks Hosting

All the files are defined with unique file extensions. These file extensions are applicable to all files, be it Accountant files, Payroll files, QuickBooks work

ing files or Loan Manager Files. Different types of data is separated by different folders.

broken image

A. QuickBooks Extensions for Windows

QuickBooks backup file (.qbb) and QuickBooks data file (.qbw) are the only two main company files used in QuickBooks for Windows.

The files used for holding transactions and data for QuickBooks are QuickBooks portable company file (.qbm), Accountant’s copy export file (.qbx) and Accountant’s copy working file (.qba).

When a QuickBooks file is stored on your hard disk, a backup file has extension .qbb and the data file has extension qbw.

For example:
When a QuickBooks company file name ABC is created, it is saved to your hard disk as “ABC.qbw”. When you take backup of file ABC using QuickBooks backup function then it is stored with the name “ABC.qbb”.

1) .QBW (QuickBooks company file)
.QBW is the most important file type for QuickBooks company file create. Hence, its confidentiality must be maintained. You must not send its copy to your accountant. In case your .QBW file becomes corrupt, then you can select a utility to repair corrupt .QBW file. You may also contact QuickBooks support to resolve the issues.

2) .QBB (QuickBooks backup file)
The QuickBooks backup company file is saved with .QBB extension in QuickBooks. QBB is a compressed file from which the company file can be recreated and used. It is used to secure your QuickBooks files against system failure or accidental data loss.

The above screenshot shows the file name stored with the file extension .QBB. In the same way, other files are also saved with their relevant Extensions in QuickBooks

3) .QBM (QuickBooks Portable Company File)
.QBM file contains all of the data, but does not have the database indexing. It is mainly used for transferring the data file through the internet.

B. QuickBooks Extensions for Account File Types

1) .QBX (Accountant’s Copy- export file)
When you export data file for an accountant to review, QuickBooks file is created with the file extension .QBX.

2) .QBY (Accountant’s Copy- import file)
Once the accountant freezes all the amendments in the accountant’s copy file then he saves the file with the extension .QBY. In this way, the file is imported to company’s file.

3) .QBA (Accountant’s Copy- working file)
The export file is restored on the accountant’s computer with the file extension .QBA.

4) .QBA.TLG (Transaction log file)
It is transaction log file for accountant’s copy. When you backup an accountant’s copy, QuickBooks starts a log of transactions that you have entered since the last time you backed up.

C. QuickBooks Extensions for Payroll Files

1) .QPD (QuickPay data file)
QuickPay version 3.0 is used to create .QPD file extension.

2) .1PA
T940 and 941 forms are created using the file extension .IPA.

3) .TXT and .SET
QuickPay version 2.0/2.1 uses this type of file extensions.

4) Taxtbl.usa
This file type is known as integrated payroll tax table file. It is used in QuickBooks for Windows v 3.1 and up.

5) Qpconvrt.log
When an integrated payroll is upgraded from QuickBooks with QuickPay then this file type is created or updated. It saves all the warning messages injected during conversion.

D. QuickBooks Extensions for Utility & Log Files

1) Qbwin.log (QuickBooks log file)
QuickBooks log files contain all the records, created or updated by the user. It is mainly created when the user rebuilds data or verifies data and condenses data utilities. The latest entries are identified by the date and time stamps recorded with each of the log entry.

2) Temp1234.qbt (temp rebuild file)
When a file is rebuilt in QuickBooks then temp rebuild files are created during its first pass. The temp files are automatically deleted when the rebuild Id is complete.

3) IIF (Intuit Interchange Format file)
These file extensions are ASCII text, CSV files that QuickBooks uses to import and export lists or /and transactions.

4) .ND (QuickBooks Network Data File)
.ND file extension is attached to configuration files that allow access to the QuickBooks network company file in a network or multi user environment. They are created in the same folder as that of the company file.

5) TLG (transaction log file)
.TLG are the transaction log files and these files contain a log of pending transactions that have been entered into a QuickBooks company file.

E. QuickBooks File Extensions used for Loan Manager Filers

1) .LMR and .LMX
These file extensions are used with those QuickBooks files that have information about the loan.

F. QuickBooks File Extensions used for Pro Timer Files:

1) .BDB (Timer backup data file)
This type of file is created when the user backs up time data in QuickBooks pro timer.

2) .LDB (MS Access file for Timer data)
This type of file is needed for the .TDB file.

Connect us:

We are here for all question and query about your QuickBooks. call to our Intuit technical expert team 1800-865-4183.