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QuickBooks File Extensions and QuickBooks File Types with Differences

quickbooks file extensions

QuickBooks has been one of the most popular software in recent times owing to the ease of use it provides for keeping the accounts and managing finances of generally small and medium-sized businesses. Thus we offer you simple self-help articles to see your business economy boost with Quickbooks. Here We elaborate information about the different QuickBooks File Extensions that you will come across on your desktop while using Quickbooks and what they are for.

In other words, each type of QuickBooks File has a unique extension. Although QuickBooks file extensions type may vary based on which version of QuickBooks you are using, be it Quickbook 2016, Quickbook Enterprise 2017, etc. in this particular article, we will be referring to QuickBooks extension names as used in QuickBooks Desktop. Also, in this article, we have explained some QuickBooks backup file extension. These QuickBooks company file extension explained are applicable to all files, for example, Accountant files, Loan Manager Files Payroll files or QuickBooks working files. Consequently, different types of data separated by different folders. 

What are the Types of QuickBooks Company File Extension?

Extension Name

File Type

Description

‘AIF’This is the Accountant’s review copy (the import file)This file is created when the Accountant’s copy is exported to import it to the user’s company file.
‘.BDB’Timer Back-up fileThis creates when a user is attempting to back up time data in ‘QuickBooks Pro Timer.
‘.BMP’Windows Bitmap fileThe files store/contain “bitmapped images” used by QuickBooks
‘.BPW’Business Planner file.This file is not backed up with the company file, this needs to be separately copied to the backups.
‘. DES’Form design template fileThe file is made while exporting a form design from the templates list.
‘.DOC’Word DocumentsThese documents are used to “write letters” function/action.

‘.IIF’

Intuit Interchange Format fileIt lets you import & export lists/transactions via text files with an ‘. IIF’ ext.   Instead, the QuickBooks SDK should be used to read and write data for QuickBooks and other apps.
‘. INI’Configuration fileThis file lets you support “Online Banking.”
.LDBMS Access file for Timer data.This is an MS Access file required for the “*.TDB file”.
‘.LGB’Little Green BoxLGB file contains encrypted info related to user-names & passwords. The file is used when an SDK app is connected to a company file and has to be opened in an unattended mode. You require a username and password to open the connection with the “Sybase server.”

‘.LMR’

Loan Manager DataThis file is made by the “Loan Manager” and stores info related to loans. You have to separately copy this file to the backups.
‘.ND’QuickBooks Network Data FileThis is a configuration file that allows access to the QuickBooks company file. You have to keep this file and ensure that it does not gets deleted.
‘.NPC’Online Banking File (obsolete)It’s an online banking format used by former QB versions and was superseded by “OFX” format. Financial institutions no longer support it.
‘.QBA’Accountant’s review copy (working copy)Accountant restores a QBX file, and the file is given a.QBA extension.
‘.QBA.TLG’Transaction log file (for the accountant’s review copy)When you back-up the accountant’s review copy, QuickBooks initiates a log of transactions that continues form the last time you did a back-up. If accidentally, you might lose your data it can be recovered with the help of this “Transaction log file.”
‘.QBB’
QuickBooks backup fileIt is a QuickBooks Company backup file. If you want to open the ‘. QBB’ file -navigate to File menu & click Restore.
‘.QBI’QuickBooks image fileThe image file will hold transactions until the time you transfer them to the hard drive. File stores memory-resident changes to the data file. Once you close the company file, “. QBI” file will be automatically deleted. If you encounter a QBI file when QuickBooks is not running, it probably means that QB crashed when you had a file open. Do not remove and keep QBI file when QBW file is open in QuickBooks.
‘.QBM’QuickBooks Portable Company File (2006 v and above).This file is smaller than the QBB or QBW file and contains all the data. It doesn’t store the database indexing. It is useful for transferring the data file via the internet as the data size is smaller than any other file type.
‘.QBO’
Web Connect file.This file is known as “Web Connect Online Banking download file.” You download this file from the bank while using “Web connect method” for Online Banking.
‘.QBW’QuickBooks for Windows company filePrimary file type for the QuickBooks Company file.
‘.QBW.TLG’Transaction log file (for QuickBooks company file)With the help of this file, you can retrieve lost data for QuickBooks Company file.
‘.QBW192.168.X.XXmta’Temporary Database FileThis is a temporary file made by the “Database Manager” while opening the company file. The time you open the main file, the temporary file will be deleted.
‘.QBX’Accountant’s review copy (export file)When you generate an “accountant’s review copy” of QuickBooks Company file, QB generates an accountant’s review copy with a ‘.QBX’ extension.
‘.TDB’
QuickBooks Pro Timer files.In QBTIMER directory,  there is a “Time tracking data from QuickBooks Timer.
‘Archive Copy XX/XX/200X ABC.QBW.’An archive copy of the data fileA separate QBW file is made with the name “Archive Copy XX/XX/200X followed by the QBW file name. The file is an exact copy of the company file before condensing. You can use this file to view info that was present in the unmodified file.
CONNLOG.TXTConnection Log fileThis is the “Online Banking Connection log file” that has a log of each connection for the Online Banking.
‘DownloadQBXX folder.’Download folderThe folder is made by QuickBooks to store the updates that get downloaded when you use “Update QuickBooks” function.
‘Images Folder’
Images folderIt stores “ temporary copies’ of images used by QuickBooks.
‘Inet Folder’ Inet Earlier was used to store “License information” for QuickBooks.
‘QBInstanceFinder’Instance Finder fileYou can delete the file, though it might again come up in some  QuickBooks versions.
‘QBrestor.TMP’Temp restore the file.The file is made while restoring the QBB file that was deleted automatically during the restore process.
‘Qbwin.log’
QuickBooks Log file.The file is created/ updated when you run verify/ rebuild option. It helps to find “Log Problems and situations corrected.” It is stored in QuickBooks Installation directory.
‘QuickBooks Letters Templates folder.’Letters FolderThis folder contains ‘word document templates” for QuickBooks ‘ write letters function.
‘Temp1234.qbt’Temp rebuild file.It is created during “Pass 1 of the rebuild” & is deleted automatically when the rebuild is finished.

QuickBooks File Extensions for Windows

  • QBW extension: It is a Company File which users normally use
  • QBB extension: It’s a backup file created from QuickBooks
  • QBM extension: It is a Portable Copy of the Company file. Which helps to send and receive files.

Also Read: Resolving QuickBooks Desktop Error 9999

QuickBooks File Extensions for Accountant

  • QBX extension: This export file is created when a client is sending the file to their accountant
  • QBY extension: This import file which is created when the accountant completes the amendments before client submission. 
  • QBA extension: This working file is created on the Accountant’s QuickBooks where they review the file and make the required amendments, it is created from the QBX file which is sent by the Client.

QuickBooks File Extension for Payroll Files

  • QPD: QuickPay data file type created by QuickPay version 3.0
  • 1PA: It is the extension for the 940 and 941 tax form files
  • TXT & SET: These are QuickBooks version 2.0 and 2.1
  • Taxtbl.usa: It is the extension for Windows version 3.1
  • Qpconvrt.log: This is a log file that stores all payroll warning messages

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Other QuickBooks Company File extension

  • Temp1234.qbt (temp rebuild file):  The user creates this file while rebuilding the company file. 
  • Qbwin.log (QuickBooks log file): This file contains a log for all the records, created or updated by the user in QuickBooks company file.
  • IIF (Intuit Interchange Format file): This is a file which allows users to export or import of transactions and lists from either Bank or other QuickBooks Desktop
  • .ND (QuickBooks Network Data File): It is a configuration file that keeps a record of the network computers that allows access to other files on the network.
  • TLG extension: This is a log file of all the transactions in QuickBooks. It helps the application while trying to recover transactions.
  • LMR and.LMX extension files: These files contain information about the loan a user tracks in QuickBooks company file.

If you want to know more about QuickBooks file extensions, Get in touch with our QuickBooks Desktop Support (Toll-Free) and speak to Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

FAQs
Q1: What is the extension for the QuickBooks company file?

A: .QBW is the extension for the QuickBooks company file that is created by QB. This file consists of the company file and account information. For instance, if you are creating a company called Groupon, QuickBooks saves the company file as Groupon.qbw

Q2: What type of file has the .TLG extension?

A: TLG file extensions are the log files and are commonly utilized by the QuickBooks software. These files contain a log of incomplete transactions that have been recorded into the QBW file.

Q3: How to open a qba file?

A: To launch the QBX or QBA file, follow the steps written below.

1. Initially, open the suitable file (.QBX or .QBA)
2. And then, select the File Menu and tap on Send Company File.
3. Select the Accountant’s Copy option.
4. Meanwhile, choose Convert Accountant’s Copy to QBW and press Ok.
5. Select the location where you have to save the .QBW file and choose Save.
6. Lastly, click on Ok.

Q4: How to run a QBW file without QuickBooks?

A: You can easily open the QBW file without QuickBooks to check the financial reports. For this, you need to use the Export to Excel feature that is available in the QuickBooks Desktop to export QBW files to Microsoft Excel and launch it in a different location.

Q5: How to see file extension in Excel?

A: Choose the View tab and select one of the following under Advanced Settings.

1. Remove the Hide extensions for identified file types to show file name extensions. And then, choose OK.
2. Click on the Hide extensions for identified file types to remove the file name extensions. After that, choose OK.

Q6: What is a QBW and QBB File?

A: To launch the QBW file, you just need to type QuickBooks Company File. On the other hand, QBB is the regular backup file in QuickBooks that is used to create backup company data or local backup. QBB file is more important than QBW because it contains TLG files too.

Q7: What is a QBM File?

A: QBM file is created by QuickBooks that permits companies to handle their finances; consists of a packed version of the company’s financial data only. You can move the company’s financial data via email or an external storage device.

Q8: How to launch a QBM file?

A: If you want to launch a QBM file, it will be required suitable software such as QuickBooks from Intuit Inc. However, you can follow up on the underneath steps to launch the QBM file without QuickBooks.

1. Firstly, launch the company file in QuickBooks.
2. Now, choose the file tab from the Menu option.
3. Lastly, choose the Open tab to access the file.

Q9: How to run a QBB file without QuickBooks?

A: As we know, you are required to have QuickBooks to run a QBB file. If you want to launch it without QuickBooks, apply the following steps.

1. First of all, open the Excel option and select the import option.
2. Now, click on the From Other Sources option.
3. Select the .QBB file from the import page.
4. Finally, convert the QB file to excel.

Q10: How to convert qba to QBW?

A: You can follow the underneath steps to convert a qba file to QBW.

1. In the first step, you need to open your accountant’s copy.
2. Now, create a backup of the file so that you can prevent your data loss.
3. After that, click on the File Menu and choose Send Company File.
4. Next, select Accountant’s Copy.
5. Finally, choose Convert Accountant’s Copy to QBW.

About The Author

Editorial Team

Editorial Team

At QAsolved, we are a team of skilled professionals dedicated to delivering unparalleled accounting and bookkeeping services. With backgrounds in finance and technology, our collaborative efforts focus on providing practical solutions and guidance. Our services are tailored for a range of businesses, covering advisory, CFO services, bookkeeping, and financial systems consulting. QAsolved is an award-winning consulting firm and Intuit’s #1 QuickBooks Reseller Partner. We offer comprehensive QuickBooks services, including consulting, integration, migration, maintenance, data conversion, training, and support, among other services. Over the years, we have assisted over 30K customers across various industries with their Intuit products.

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