How to upgrade Company File from Older Version?

You've come to the right place, @curedrain.

I'd be pleased to assist you with updating your company file to the latest version of your QuickBooks Desktop and get you back to business.

If you have created a backup copy of your company file, you can restore it on your QuickBooks Desktop 2019. Doing this will update your file automatically. Also, here are some good references that you can check out about the installation process of QuickBooks Desktop:

• Install QuickBooks Desktop.
• Fix common QuickBooks Desktop installation errors.
• Update to the latest release of QuickBooks Desktop.
• Upgrade to a new QuickBooks Desktop version.

However, if you need further assistance with these steps, feel free to get in touch with our Customer Care Team. They have additional tools like screen-sharing that can walk you through the process.

These resources should help you update your file and get you up and running.

Of course, I got you covered if you have any other questions with this concern or with QuickBooks. Just let me know by leaving a reply below. Wishing you a fantastic weekend.

Hallo curedrain,

I have currently purchased QB for Mac 2019 and installed it without problems.

Earlier I was using QB for Mac 2016.

I made a backup of my working data file in QB for Mac 2016.

 Trying to convert/move the data file of QB 2016 to QB 2019 I opened  QB 2019: FILE/OPEN COMPANY and browsed to the data file.

The company data file is greyed out and is not accessible (will not open).

It is the same question as Darwin have, but following the steps I cannot open the backup file made with QB for Mac 2016, because it is greyed out in de backup folder (and not accessible).

Any idea what the problem might be ?

Thanks in advance for your support,

dratrap

Thanks for performing the steps given by my colleague, dratrap.

We can try to open your company file and not the back up file. If the company is still greyed out, please give us a call. That way, we can walk you through on how to keep your file working. 

Here's how to contact us: 

1. Click this link: https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact.
2. Select QuickBooks Mac Desktop. 
3. Click the hyperlinked Company file. 
4. Scroll down to the page and click the Get Phone Number button. 

We are always around to help you if you have additional concern. 

Sorry but this doesn't work!! I've tried a dozen times... You cannot OPEN the file & get a dialog box "Update Company File for New Version". QB immediately tries to restore the file, asks for a User & PW then fails, always using the same message "you must have an administrator update the company file. We're in a nasty loop that is never ending! Very Frustrating!!

Hello, @Johnr21. 

Please know that this isn’t the impression we want you to have and I appreciate the steps you’ve taken to fix this issue. Rest assured, I’m here to help and address your concern right away.

If you’re using QuickBooks Desktop versions, I agree with what you’ve said that you can’t open the company file and get a dialogue box that says "Update Company File for New Version". That said, we also need to upgrade our company files by following the process below.

Once you’ve already done downloading and installing your new version of QuickBooks Desktop. We can now prepare your company file. I’ll show you how: 

1. Open your QuickBooks, then open the company file you want to upgrade.
2. Press F2 to open the Product Information window.
3. Look in the File Information section. Please note where you save your company file on your computer.
4. Run the Rebuild Tool for your company file. This preps it for the upgrade.

The first time you open your company file in a newer version of QuickBooks, it prompts you to update it. Please know that after you upgrade your QuickBooks, you won't be able to access your company file in the older version. When you’re ready to upgrade, here’s how: 

1. Make sure all users log out of your company file, then open your new version of QBDT.
2. Select Open or Restore Company if you don't have a company file open, or go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
3. Select Open a company file, then Next. If you have a backup company file (QBB) instead of a company file (QBW), select Restore a backup copy and then Local backup.
4. Browse your computer for your company file. Select it and then click Open.
5. Sign in to your company file as an admin user.
6. Before upgrading, QuickBooks automatically creates a backup of your existing company file. You can select Change this default location to save the backup in a specific folder.
7. Select Update Now to start the upgrade, then click Done.

In case the upgrade fails and you can't open the file, restore the backup from step 7 and try once more. If the upgrade fails again, I recommend reaching out to our QuickBooks Desktop Customer Support team. You can have a screen share with them and they will further guide you through this process.

For more information on upgrading your QBDT files, you can check out this article: Upgrade your company files after you switch to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, I’ve got you this article that can help you fix general problems when you encounter issues when opening your company file: What to do if you can't open your company file. 

Fill me in if you have more queries about managing your files in QBDT. I'd be glad to assist you further. Take care always, and best regards.

Thank you for the assistance, and now i am able to open my company file..... However If anyone who is looking for assistance or viable guide to resolve "This company file needs to be updated". So, I have mentioned below reference link....

 Guide on How to update QuickBooks Company File

Hi there, @Johnr21.

I'm happy to hear that my peer was able to help you open your company file. Please let us know if you need more help with anything else. We're always around to assist.

Thank you for reaching out to us here. Keep safe always!