Viewing a QuickBooks IIF Timer file using Notepad

QuickBooks IIF files use a text file format.  This means that you can view them in Notepad.  This is sometimes useful to do before importing a file into QuickBooks.  It allows you to view the contents of the file.  You can use this technique to watch Standard Time write each log entry out to the file.  If you are using the Standard Time Integration Options, then Standard Time will automatically update the Timer file each time you log time.  You can open the Timer file in Notepad to watch this happen.  A sample of the contents is shown below.

IMPORTANT:
Do not save the file from within Notepad.  The contents of the IIF file are very detailed, and very easily corrupted.  If you make changes to this file in Notepad, do not save your changes.








You may now import this Timer file into QuickBooks.  Choose File, Timer, Import Activities from Timer.