Importing an iif BILL into the Expenses tab???

Sorry I meant "...import into the "Items" tab... not the "Expenses" tab.

An example of what I was testing.
test.iif.txt

Create an invoice with Items and export it in the file menu then post the file here so we can compare the difference.

I don't think you can. The distribution lines for a transaction provide for account, customer (job), quantiy, inventory item and so on. I think that it how QB intended it to be done with iif files. I have checkded their site and my own knowledge base and believe that to be the case.
... Thinkpads_User

use the inventory item one instead of account.

"Create an invoice with Items and export it in the file menu..."

I'm not sure I follow you here? the only options I have for exporting iif files is the lists under the "Utilities/Export" menu? nothing about exporting an Invoice IIF?

The thing is that it will import the Bill and add it to the Vendors account just on the "Expenses" tab not the "Items" tab...

Thinkpads_User, I should be using the !TRNS.htm page in the iif Import Kit, correct? are those the only options...?

NG,

Hello nike_golf,

Yes, I was using the !TRNS.htm page in the iif Import Kit as well. I was using the following reference:

http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Pages/KnowledgeBaseArticle/bde7b06f

so that we can be sure we're on the same page. And yes, I think these are the only options.
... Thinkpads_User

So why are you using an Invoice template to test importing Bills? It all depends on if your using an item or an account, which tab it goes on. the attached iif goes to the expense tab.
Bill.iif.txt

This mostly works except there is no Description on the fields...?

NG,

Capture.JPG
Book1.xls
bill.iif.txt

There is a MEMO capability in the Distribution section as well as the Transaction section. That is the only capability I see in !TRNS.htm.   ... Thinkpads_User

The Memo field is always used for the description of an item and it is also used to enter line item memos on the Expenese side.

Strange why they don't allow you to import into certain fields...

Can I get a little clarity on how to read the iif file...  Any line that begins with a bang "!" is that considered more of a layout line then the data follows using the descriptor ("ACCNT, VEND, etc.) to identify the data?  I'm trying to get a grip on its usage.


!TRNS      TRNSID      TRNSTYPE      DATE      ACCNT
!SPL      SPLID      TRNSTYPE      DATE      ACCNT
!ENDTRNS                        
!ACCNT      NAME      REFNUM      ACCNTTYPE      ACCNUM
!INVITEM      NAME      INVITEMTYPE      DESC      PURCHASEDESC
!CUST      NAME      BADDR1      BADDR2      BADDR3
!VEND      NAME      ADDR1      ADDR2      ADDR3
!OTHERNAME      NAME      BADDR1      BADDR2      BADDR3
!EMP      NAME      ADDR1      ADDR2      ADDR3

Any line that begins with ! is a header row. Those rows tell QB what information shoild be following it.
 !TRNS
 !SPL
 !ENDTRNS  for example tells QB that it need to look for a transaction on the first line, the split or line item information of that transaction, and then end that transaction.
  !VEND
  !CUST  tell QB to look for Vendor or Customer information to follow.

Is there any advantage to do this via xml and the SDK?

NG,

To import a bill that uses items in the split, add to the !SPL header INVITEM      & PRICE.  Then when you enter your data, use the expense or COGS account that the Item uses under the ACCT and provide the QNTY, INVITEM & PRICE for the split.