QuickBooks image file
File type: Temporary file
A qbi file is a temporary QuickBooks image file. It stores temporary data created while QuickBooks is working with a company file.
File type category:
Temporary file
Date updated: November 4, 2026
The qbi file extension is associated with QuickBooks, accounting software developed and marketed by Intuit.
A .qbi file contains a temporary image of transaction changes held in memory while QuickBooks has the company file open. The file helps preserve changes until they are written to the hard drive. It is used with the QuickBooks company file, such as the qbw.
QuickBooks deletes the .qbi file when the company file is closed. If a .qbi file remains when QuickBooks is not running, it probably means QuickBooks crashed. The format is an internal temporary format rather than a file intended for regular user access.
A .qbi file cannot be meaningfully converted. It is temporary QuickBooks data, not an interchange or document format. QuickBooks normally writes its contents to the related company file and deletes the temporary file automatically.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving qbi files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
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