How to Convert QuickBooks File into an Older Version

Upgrading QuickBooks is simple. To upgrade all of your files, you only need to install or subscribe to a new version. Downgrading is more difficult, though. Both opening files from a 2019 version of QuickBooks into a version you purchased a few years ago and using a Save As an option to reduce your files to make them compatible are not options. Going back to an older version of QuickBooks online is much simpler if you have upgraded it, but the process isn’t completely foolproof. Let’s go through this article and know how to convert QuickBooks files into an older version.

Accessing Data using an Older Version of QuickBooks

It is not possible to open or convert a file that was saved in the most Recent Version of QuickBooks to a format that is compatible with an earlier version of the software. You must open a backup file created using an earlier version of QuickBooks if you want to use that version. For example, you must open a backup file from 2017 in order to use QuickBooks 2017. Naturally, You won’t be able to access any updates that were made after you switched to the most recent version of QuickBooks. In QuickBooks, select Open or Restore Company and then restore a Backup Copy to access a backup file. When asked, give the restored file a new name and select a folder to save it in before clicking save when you have located the backup file.

Downgrading a QuickBooks Plan

You can change back to the QuickBooks version you previously used if you upgraded from a more expensive version. However, you must first plan this because some of your existing features could not work with your older version. You should take into account the following:

• Losing Connections with other Apps.
• Losing Recurring Transactions.
• Your Subscription Loses any Discounts that have been Applied.
• Losing Some Users Support.
• Inventory Tracking is being Lost.
• Losing Multi-Currency.

Review the Quickbooks features you presently have and compare them with the plan you want to downgrade to. It might not be worthwhile to upgrade to Quickbooks if the previous version lacks the features you require.

Losing User Support

QuickBooks supports different numbers of users in different versions. You must first make sure you won’t lose some users’ ability to log in before downgrading. 2019 supported users include:

• Two accounting firms and one billable user are included in QuickBooks Simple Start.
• Three billable users and two accounting businesses using QuickBooks Essentials.
• Five billable users and two accounting companies are using QuickBooks Plus.
• 25 billable users and three accounting businesses using QuickBooks Advanced.

Before making the change, You will need to delete the users from your current plan if the plan you are downgrading to doesn’t handle the number of users you now have.

Other Important Features You may Lose

• Recurring Transactions: If you currently use recurring transactions, you will need to track scheduled transactions manually if you switch because these are not included with QuickBooks Online Simple Start. You must log into Quickbooks and turn off, or pause your recurring transaction templates before downgrading.
• Third-Party Apps: You should review these before downgrading if you have connected QuickBooks to other apps. In QuickBooks, you have to open the My Apps tab to look at what other apps you have that are connected to your QuickBooks account.
• Multi-Currency: Multi-currency is not supported by QuickBooks Online Simple Start. You won’t be able to downgrade to Simple Start if you are using this feature.
• Inventory Tracking: Inventory tracking is currently only supported by QuickBooks Advanced and QuickBooks Online Plus. You have to deactivate your inventory items before switching in case you are changing to another version.

Downgrading Your QuickBooks Subscription

Sign in to QuickBooks Online using your admin account once you have decided to downgrade. Before you make the change QuickBooks will inform you of the features you will lose. To downgrade:

• Begin by selecting Settings, and then you have to select Account and Settings.
• Then you have to select Billing and Subscription and make sure your payment information is up-to-date.
• Now you have to select Downgrade and then you have to choose the plan that you want. You can log in at qbo.intuit.com/app/changeplan to select a plan in case you don’t see the downgrade option.
• Then read the list of features you will lose.
• To make the necessary changes such as turning off Recurring Transactions you have to follow the onscreen prompts.
• After that, To finish the process you have to select Change Plan.

You will have to wait 24 hours before this option will be available if you want to go back to your previous plan. Use the same steps that are mentioned above, once the wait time is over, and then select the Upgrade option instead of Downgrade.

How to Use an old Company File with a New Version of QuickBooks?

In comparison to older versions of QuickBooks, Newer Versions offer Improved Features and bug fixes. You must also update your old company’s files if your software has been upgraded. There is a feature in QuickBooks that will take care of this for you. It is simple to update your company file for usage in a newer version of QuickBooks, but you must be the admin user to carry out the update.

• Begin by opening QuickBooks. Then you have to click on File and then you have to click on Open or Restore Company.
• Then you have to click on the Open a Company File option and then click on the Next button.
• In the dialogue window, look through your company files until you locate the outdated QuickBooks company file. To open this file, double-click on it.
• Read the details for updating your company file that is supplied. In order to confirm that you understand that changing the file will make it unusable with previous versions of QuickBooks, check the box at the bottom of the information screen.
• To Update Now, You have to click. You will be prompted by QuickBooks to make a backup of the previous file. To build the backup, follow the steps.
• Your company file will be loaded into the new version of QuickBooks when you click Yes in the dialogue box that opens.

Although the steps that are mentioned above are clearly listed and are easy to understand, it is quite possible that you might face any issues during the process of converting the QuickBooks file to an older version. In case you face any issues or have any questions then you can connect with Dancing Numbers team via LIVE CHAT.

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