### **QuickBooks Company File Compatibility Between Versions**https://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/threads/call-1-855-738-2891-resolve-issues-quickbooks-company-file-compatibility-between-versions.64325/
#### **1. General Compatibility Rules**
- **Same-Year Versions**:
- QuickBooks **2024** can open **2024, 2023, 2022** files
- QuickBooks **2023** can open **2023, 2022, 2021** files
*(Applies to Pro, Premier, and Enterprise)*
- **Forward Compatibility**:
- **Newer versions CANNOT open older files** (e.g., QB 2024 **cannot** open a 2025 file).
- **Older versions CANNOT open newer files** (e.g., QB 2023 **cannot** open a 2024 file).
- **Downgrading Files**:
- **Not supported natively** – Once upgraded, files **cannot** revert to older versions.
---
#### **2. Version-Specific Notes**
| **QuickBooks Version** | **Compatible File Years** | **Notes** |
|------------------------|--------------------------|-----------|
| **2024** | 2022–2024 | Can open 3 prior years |
| **2023** | 2021–2023 | |
| **2022** | 2020–2022 | |
| **2021** | 2019–2021 | |
| **Enterprise** | Varies | Supports more back years than Pro/Premier |
---
#### **3. How to Open an Older File in a Newer QuickBooks**
1. **Back up the old file** (`.QBB`) before converting.
2. Open **newer QuickBooks** → **File → Open or Restore Company**.
3. Select the older file → QuickBooks will **auto-convert it**.
4. **Save with a new name** (original file remains unchanged).
⚠️ **Warning**:
- Once converted, the file **cannot** be reopened in the older version.
- Some features (e.g., new payroll forms) may not work in older data.
---
#### **4. Workarounds for Incompatible Files**
- **Option 1**: Use **Portable Files** (`.QBM`)
- In the **newer version**, create: **File → Create Copy → Portable File**.
- Open in the older version (limited to 3 years back).
- **Option 2**: Export to **Excel/IIF**
- Export lists (e.g., customers, items) from the newer version.
- Import into the older version (loses transaction history).
- **Option 3**: **QuickBooks Online**
- Export to QBO, then back to Desktop (limited compatibility).
---
#### **5. Critical Notes**
- **Multi-User Mode**: All workstations **must** use the **same version**.
- **Accountant’s Copy**: Must match the **client’s QuickBooks year**.
- **Mac vs. Windows**: Files are **not cross-compatible**.
---
#### **6. Best Practices**
✔ **Keep multiple backups** before converting.
✔ **Verify data** (`File → Utilities → Verify Data`) after version changes.
✔ **Update all users** to the same version for shared files.
**Need to downgrade?** You’ll need to:
1. Restore an **old backup** (`.QBB`) from the desired year.
2. Manually re-enter newer transactions.
For version-specific help, consult [Intuit’s Official Compatibility Guide](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/).