Convert QuickBooks File into an Older Version

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What happens when you open a file from a 2019 QuickBooks version in a QuickBooks version that was purchased in 2017?

Neither will it open, nor will there be any “Save As” option in order to downgrade the file to make them adaptable. The only possible way to use an older version of QuickBooks is to open a backup file, which was made while using the version.

For instance, you have a professional requirement to use 2017 QuickBooks software. You will need to open a backup file from 2017 and not from any other year.  

Note: You will be restricted to any update which your QuickBooks received after it has been updated to the latest version.

Thus, if you want to use an old QuickBooks file, you need to convert it into the older version. There is no other possible route.

Check The Downgrade QuickBooks Subscription Plan:

If there is a necessity to go back to your previous version then you need to perform the “Convert QuickBooks File into an older version” function. Before heading into this procedure, you have to compare both versions and then choose a suitable plan.

It’s all because of some unwanted features that create complexities while running QuickBooks to track your business accountancy. Choose a suitable plan and resolve all problematic issues as quickly as possible. Compatibility issues are the major reason you need to downgrade your QuickBooks to an older version.

Things you need to consider are listed below:

• You might lose all connections with other applications.
• Applied offers you get while subscribing to this present version you lost after downgrading the edition.
• The service you are using for some other users might be unable to  find once you downgrade your edition 
• Losing recurring transactions. 
• Losing multi-currency.
• Losing inventory tracking feature. 

Before beginning with this process, ensure your business requirements, and check out upgraded and downgraded version features. It happens rarely because, in every upgraded version, you find all features of the previous editions along with more advanced features.

When QuickBooks Need to Convert The QuickBooks File Into An Older Version

Upgrading QuickBooks software is always the best way but sometimes business requires the older version. In this kind of situation, the user has to restore the previous version from the QuickBooks backup folder. While converting this process, the user has to be more concerned about the internet connection otherwise it encounters errors. The speed of conversion is based on your network connectivity.

For further processing, perform the below steps:

• Go to your Settings menu and then click on the “Accounts and Section” field
• Make sure that all financial data is up-to-date by choosing the “Billing & Subscription” option
• Choose the “Downgrade” option and hit click on the “New Plan” button
• Check and review all the features that you will lose once you downgraded your QuickBooks
• Hit the last click on the “Change Plan” and you are all done with this process.

While Doing This Conversion, You Might Lose Some Features

• Recurring Transactions: These don’t include QuickBooks online simple start. If you are presently utilizing the recurring transitions you will require to manage the scheduled transactions manually while switching. Before proceeding to downgrade, make sure you log in to QuickBooks and then turn off the recurring transaction format. 
• Third-party applications: In any case, if you connected your QuickBooks with all other applications, then you should revise all of them. Open “My Apps” to view what other apps you have that are associated with your QuickBooks account. 
• Multi-Currency: QuickBooks’ simple start doesn’t support the multi-currency feature. If you are currently using this feature then you won’t be able to downgrade to the previous version. 
• Inventory Tracking: Whenever you try to convert your QuickBooks from an upgraded version to an older version, you need to deactivate all inventory items. QuickBooks Advanced and QuickBooks Plus both support the advanced-level inventory tracking feature.

To downgrade your membership to QuickBooks.

Whenever you decide to do a downgrade, then you have to log in to QuickBooks Online using your admin account. QuickBooks will give you an idea of ​​all the features you’ll lose before you can replace them. Below are some steps for you to downgrade.

• First of all, you have to go to the settings. then select the account and settings.
• After that, choose Billing & Membership and make sure that your given information is up to date.
• Then select downgrade and then choose the plan as per your wish. If you are not getting the option of the downgrade, so you have to log in to qbo.intuit.com/app/changeplan and select a plan.
• Here you can see the features which you are going to lose.
• Close recurring transactions and follow the on-screen prompts to make necessary changes.
• After that, select a Change plan to end the process.

Here is how you convert a QuickBooks file into an older version.

Restore Backup of Company File in QuickBooks Desktop

If your company has a QuickBooks desktop license, you can use the Restore feature to restore a backup of your company file. 

To use this feature:

• First, open QuickBooks and select File > Restore Company File
• On the Restore Company File dialog box, enter the name of the backup file that you want to restore and click OK. 
• The restored file will appear in the QuickBooks Backups list.
• Before converting QuickBooks files into an older version, you need to clean up all the unwanted files from the QuickBooks older version.

Converting QuickBooks File Into An Older Version

It is not possible to retrieve an old backup file via the regular approach mentioned below:

File > Restore Company > Restore a backup function.

This is because different QuickBooks versions utilize a dissimilar process of compressing backup files.

Alternative Solutions for Downgrade QuickBooks Company File

Here are the step to process Downgrading the QuickBooks Company File

Step 1: Restoration of the Company File Backup

For the restoration of the backup of your company file, you need to follow the below steps in the same order:

• As a matter of some importance, Select File >> Open or restore company >> and afterward restore a backup duplicate.
• In the wake of reestablishing the backup of the company file, you want to tap on Straightaway >> neighborhood Backup >> then Next once more.
• Presently you want to tap on peruse and look for the backup company file from your PC. The file will have the augmentation (.qbb).
• In the wake of choosing the backup company file from your PC, you want to save the backup file in another envelope with an alternate name so the information overwriting can be kept away.
• In the last step, you should tap on open, and afterward click on save, do guarantee to peruse all the overwriting-related messages.

Note: The backup file will comprise of company data up to the time the backup was done. Ensure that the most recent file is restored.

Step 2: Downgrade QuickBooks Desktop

Simplifying the Process of converting to an older version of QuickBooks Desktop is possible by utilizing the QuickBooks License Manager. The following steps can be taken to achieve this:

• Purchase the desired version to downgrade from Intuit’s official website.
• Launch QuickBooks and go to the Help tab.
• Select the Manage My License option.
• Click on “Switch to” and choose the QuickBooks version you want to use.
• Enter the correct License Number and Product Number to authorize the action.
• Click OK to proceed.
• QuickBooks will now undergo a conversion process.
• Once completed, access the downgraded QuickBooks version on your desktop.

Although the steps mentioned above are clearly listed and are easy to comprehend, it is quite possible that you may get stuck during the process of converting the QuickBooks file to an older version.

Alternate Step – Switch to QuickBooks Online From QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks Desktop has its own benefits, but if you’re considering converting to an older version, another option worth exploring is migrating to QuickBooks Online. It offers easy accessibility and integrates with over 300 applications. Moreover, the risk of data file corruption is lower compared to the Desktop version. Here are the steps to switch to QuickBooks Online:

• Update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest version available.
• Perform two quick checks in your application: create a company file backup and ensure that the company file size and name are not too long.
• Log into QuickBooks Desktop using your Administrator credentials to authorize the actions.
• Click on the Company tab and select “Export Company File to QuickBooks Online.”
• Choose “Start your Export” to initiate the conversion process.
• Open your web browser and log in to QuickBooks Online as the Administrator.
• Click on the “Choose Online Company” button and select the appropriate company file.
• Click “Continue” and type “Agree” in the given field.
• Click on the “Replace” button, followed by “Yes, go ahead and replace the data.”
• Click “Replace” again.
• Once the process is completed, you can start using QuickBooks Online.

Need Professional Help?

If you get stuck anywhere in the process, feel free to get in touch with SMB QuickBooks Technical Support Team, Which is available 24/7 on smbaccountants.com.

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