The answer varies depending on which version of QuickBooks Desktop you have:
QuickBooks Pro or Premier (any year) or QuickBooks Accountant or Enterprise (2012 or older)
1) if you can get the data from the bank as .qbo (web connect) that would be ideal…. as you don’t have to convert anything or finagle with a spreadsheet. And bring everything via Bank Feeds
2) if no .QBO file available, then the next best choice is a CSV file… you can open that in Excel and do some interesting cleanup work with will help immensely during the import process
If the data is in excel/CSV (post clean up) you can use the Batch Enter Feature to import the data, Batch Enter will require you to chose the categories in there or have them already in excel when you bring them
Optionally, you can use CSV2QBO (a $60 software) to make the excel/CSV File import into QuickBooks as a QBO/webconnect File
OR, if only have a PDF bank statement, then you need PDF2QBO to convert the data to .QBO/webconnect and use Bank Feeds
QuickBooks QuickBooks Accountant or Enterprise (2013 or older)
1) If you can get the data from the bank as .qbo (web connect) that would be ideal…. as you don’t have to convert anything or finagle with a spreadsheet. And bring everything via Bank Feeds
2) If no .QBO file available, then the next best choice is a CSV file… you can open that in Excel and do some interesting cleanup work with will help immensely during the import process. If the data is in excel/CSV (post clean up) you can use the Batch Enter Feature to import the data, Batch Enter will require you to chose the categories in there or have them already in excel when you bring them
Optionally, you can use CSV2QBO (a $60 software) to make the excel/CSV File import into QuickBooks as a QBO/WebConnect File and use Bank Feeds
These are NOT easy concepts, you may need to watch this 1 hour video to understand the mechanics:
If you want private one-on-one training on how to do this, you can hire Hector for $500, the training will last about 90 minutes, and he can help you do you first import with you.