how to update or convert QuickBooks desktop 2003 to QuickBooks desktop 2018

Greetings, @Harkins45.

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community. I'm happy to help share the steps on how you can update or convert QuickBooks Desktop 2003 to QuickBooks Desktop 2018.

Before we start, please take note that only the company Admin can update the company file and once it's updated, you can no longer open it to the previous version.  

Here's how:

1. Open your new version of QuickBooks Desktop.
2. From the File menu, select Open or Restore Company. 
3. Select Open a company file then click Next.
4. Highlight your data file then select Open.
5. Read the info in the Update Company File for New Version pane. 
6. Check the box to signify you understand, then select Update Now.
7. Follow the instructions on how to create a back up of your company file then please take note where you save it.
8. When You are about to open a company file using a newer version of QuickBooks...Do you want to continue? appears, select Yes.

For more details, I recommend checking this article: Upgrade or convert your company file to a new QuickBooks Desktop version.

Also, feel free to reach out to our phone support if you need additional help. They can initiate a screen sharing session to assist you in the whole process.

Here's how you can reach them: 

1. Go to: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. Choose your QuickBooks Product.
3. Select your QuickBooks version.
4. On the Contact Us page, click a topic.
5. Click on the Get Phone Number button to see the support number.​

That should do it. Drop me a comment below if you have any other questions about upgrading your company file to a newer version. Have a great day. 

@Harkins45

the copy paste provided would work on a file that is only 3-4 years old, but if this is an actual 2004 year file it will not work

QB will only update file in that 3-4 year range, so 2004 back up would have to be restored in 2007/08 install, a new back up created, and step it up yet again, and again

best option you have to be honest is just call intuit and have their data services step it up for you.

I just had a chat with Quickbooks support, asking how much it would be to have Quicken do the conversion (2003 to current), and:

He said to ask in the Community. 

Seriously.  He wouldn't even give me a ballpark figure. 

Does anyone have any idea how much it would cost?  The files is about 15 megs.

@therealex 

Just to clarify, do you need to migrate data from Quicken 2003 to QuickBooks Desktop 2021, or Quicken 2003 to Quicken 2021? Mind you, Quicken is not part of the Intuit any longer.  

Thanks for the reply.  My client has Quickbooks Pro 2003, so I would need to update his QBW file from 2003 to whatever the most recent Desktop Pro version is (he doesn't want to use the subscription version).  I was wondering if I could just export it to a CSV file and then import it into the newest Desktop Pro version, or would it lose a bunch of data?  

I've spent way too much time looking for a conversion program, Intuit seems spectacularly unhelpful, and apparently I would have to find versions of 2007, 2012, 2015, and 2018 in order to fully convert the 2003 generated QBW file.  

If I'm wrong about that, please let me know.  And if you believe the QBW-CSV-Import to current Desktop Pro method would work, I'd appreciate hearing about that, too!  Thanks so much.

@therealex 

QB Desktop 2003 is too old and no migration tool supports that version. You can utilize IIF to migrate your data or purchase a 3rd party upgrade service. Contact us in private for details.

Your client can purchase a one time license of QB Desktop 2021 to open the converted file later or QB Desktop 2020 at a lower price to save money.

Thanks for the response.  
1. How do I contact "in private"?

2. What's IIF?

thanks again!

@therealex 

For your reference

https:// quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/manage-lists/iif-overview-import-kit-sample-files-and-headers/00/201577

We sent a private message.