06-02-2008, 09:55 PM

I've been a Win users since I can remember and I had Quicken 2006 on my PC and was trying to migrate my files over to my Mac and I just can't get it to get the same balance as my online balance. I tried everything, from direct download from my Bank to converting my Quicken 2006 files to Mac compatible. My problem is I can't get the same ending balance with my Bank's balance, it's always $400-$500 off. Anyone with the same problem.

06-03-2008, 12:18 AM

I got it to work...Here is how to do it...
Converting Quicken for Windows file to Quicken for Mac

Quicken for Windows files can be converted for use on Quicken for Mac. However, because of
differences in the operating systems, not all data can be converted. At the end of this document,
you can find special instructions for investment information and a list of files that can and cannot
be converted.

Prepare the Quicken for Windows files
1. Account names and category names can be no more than 15 characters long. To shorten
longer names:
a. Select the Tools menu and select Account List.
b. Click the Options button and select View Hidden Accounts.
c. Select the Manage Accounts tab and clear all Hide in Quicken checkboxes.
d. For each account whose name has more than 15 characters:
-Right-click the account and select Edit. -
-Enter a name no more than 15 characters long, and the click OK.
e. Select the Tools menu and select Category List.
f. For each account whose name has more than 15 characters:
-Right-click the category and select Edit.
-Enter a name no more than 15 characters long, and then click OK.
2. Security names cannot contain special characters and ticker symbols must be all
uppercase letters:
a. Select the Investing menu and select Security List. (Optional if you have investments that you track with Quicken)
b. For each security name that contains a character such as !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, or *:
Right-click the security name and select Edit.
Change the name so it does not contain those characters.
c. For each ticker symbol that is not all uppercase:
! Right click the ticker symbol and select Edit.
! Change the symbol to all uppercase letters, such as INTU, and then click OK.
3. Accept all downloaded transactions to the account register or list. Important: Any
downloaded transactions not accepted will be lost during the conversion.
A red flag next to the name of an account indicates the account has a pending action,
such as a downloaded transaction to be accepted.
! Click the Downloaded Transactions tab at the bottom of the window to accept the
transactions into the register.
4. Cancel any repeating online payments and pending online payments.

Create QIF (Quicken Interchange Format) Files
1. Use Quicken for Windows to open the data file.
2. Select the File menu and select Export > QIF File.
3. On the QIF Export window, click Browse.
4. Enter the file name Security List.QIF, navigate to where you want to store the file, and click
OK. Make a note of the location.
5. Complete the remainder of the QIF Export window:
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Converting Quicken for Windows file to Quicken for Mac
a. Click the Quicken Account to Export from drop-down arrow and select <All
Accounts>.
b. In the Include Transactions in Dates fields, leave the default dates.
c. In the Include in Export area, select Security List.
6. Click OK to create the QIF file at the location you selected in step 4.
7. Repeat these steps for Accounts, Categories, and Transactions.
-Name the files Accounts.QIF, Categories.QIF, and Transactions.QIF.
-On the QIF Export window, select the checkbox corresponding to the item in the file
name.
-Save all files in the same location.
-Note: Making separate QIF files for each type of account ensures a successful transfer.
8. Insert a CD or DVD into your CD-ROM or DVD drive or attach a removable drive. Note: Be
sure the CD, DVD, or removable media you are using is compatible with both the PC and the
Mac.

Create a new Quicken file on the Mac and import the QIF file
1. On the Mac, open Quicken. If a message appears asking you to select a Quicken file to open,
click Cancel.
2. Select the File menu and select New File.
3. Select New Quicken File and click OK.
4. Complete the Create Data File window:
a. In the Save As field, enter the name for the company file.
b. In the Where field, enter the location where you want to save the file.
c. Under Quicken categories to use, select the appropriate category.
d. Click Create.
5. In the New Account Assistant window, click Cancel, and then click Close.
6. Insert the CD, DVD, or removable media with the QIF files into the appropriate drive.
7. Select the Quicken File menu and select Import > QIF File.
8. Navigate to the Security.QIF file on the CD, DVD, or removable media, and then click Open.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to import the data.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the Accounts.QIF, Categories.QIF, and Transactions.QIF files.
Note: Importing the files separately ensures a successful transfer. However, because of
differences in how Windows and Mac handle transactions, you might have to move some
transactions to the correct accounts.

There is a list of accounts that can not be transfered over to your mac version of Quicken so not everything can be transfered.

06-03-2008, 01:19 PM

Wow - excellent and very detailed post. Thank you so much.

I hear the sound of walls crumbling. My wife's major rationale for staying with PCs is her dependance on Quicken. Now you have provided me with recipe for converting Quicken PC to Quicken Mac.

MOST appreciated!

03-30-2012, 11:03 AM

I also was a Win Quicken user. When I converted my files to the Mac version, my balance was off too. I had to go back month by month and found that it did not "catch" all of my deposits or checks. There weren't many, I think maybe 3 or 4 deposits and about the same number of checks. It took a little while, but once I knew what the problem was it was easy to correct.