Upgrade from 2013 to 2021

If you mean upgrading your company file, open it in 2021 and QB will upgrade it.

Hey there, @CBM2. 

Thanks for reaching out to the Community for support. Along with what @BigRedConsulting said above, I'm happy to provide some guidance for updating from 2013 to 2021. 

Before you update your company file, it's always best to first create a back up in the 2013 version. I've included the steps below on how to create a backup. 

1. Open the File menu at the top.

2. Choose Back Up Company, then Create Local Backup. 

3. Click Next, then choose where you want to save your backup copy. 

Once you've saved your backup of the company file, you can now install QuickBooks 2021. You can use the link I've included below to download the installer. 

• https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products

After you've downloaded the installer, it's time to run it. Let me show you how below. 

1. Open the file QuickBooks.exe you downloaded.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions. Accept the software license agreement and then hit Next.
3. Enter your Product and License numbers. Then click Next.
   • 

Check out Install QuickBooks Desktop for further details about installing QuickBooks. 

For additional help, I'm adding this article that you may find helpful: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Please keep me posted if you have any other concerns about this process. I want to make sure everything is taken care of for you. You can reach out to the Community at any time. Take care and have a great day!

@CBM2 

If QBD 2021 is failed to convert your file, you may need the trial license of older QBD version as a stepping stone (e.g QBD 2017). We may share the trial license of QBD 2015 and 2019 as another option.

 How can I update from 2013 to 2021 and what is the cost 

Hi there, @Carpenter50.

I appreciate you for joining the thread. I can share some information about the QuickBooks pricing and walk you through the steps on how to upgrade your QuickBooks to 2021.

QuickBooks Desktop has a 3-year lifecycle, and upgrading it from 2013 to 2021 is a big jump. To avoid data issues due to some feature or version differences, you can create a backup copy of your file. Then, then restore it to QBDT 2015/2016 to 2018/2019, then last QuickBooks 2021.

To create a backup of your file, I recommend checking out this article: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

And, here's how to restore it:

1. In QuickBooks, go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
2. Select Restore a backup copy and then Next.
3. Select Local Backup and then Next.
4. Browse your computer for your backup company file. It should look like this: [Your company name].qbb.
5. Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file. Then select Open.

For more tips about upgrading QuickBooks Desktop to a newer version, you can open these links:

• Upgrade to newer versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, or Enterprise
• Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop

Moreover, you can review this link to see the current pricing of our QuickBooks Desktop products.

If you need additional help with upgrading your QuickBooks, please let me know by adding a comment below. I'm always here to help. Have a good one!

@Carpenter50  

You may self migrate your file on the trial license of QBD 2015 and 2019 prior to open it on QBD 2021. Send your business email address in a private message to us should you need the trial codes of them. Otherwise you may purchase a 3rd party conversion service. Then you may purchase a one time license of QBD 2021 Pro for 1 user worth $399 or Premier for 1 user worth $499 thru a partner.

I also need to upgrade from pro 2013 to 2021.  How would I go about restoring my file to  QBDT 2015/2016 and then to 2018/2019 before restoring to 2021?  And are there any steps I should take to clean up the file prior to restoring it?

Hello, DebBYF.

QuickBooks Desktop has a 3-year lifecycle. You would need to go, at a minimum. 2013-2016- 2017-2019 and Rebuild the file in between.  

First off, we'll need to create a backup file to make sure that the data will be saved before upgrading. To get started, let's perform the following steps to back up your company file: 

1. Go to the File menu, choose Back Up Company, then select Create Local Backup.
2. Choose Local Backup.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Tell us where to save your backup copies field, select Browse and select the location in which to save the backup copy.
5. Hit OK.
6. In the Create Backup window, specify whether to back up automatically, and select Options to set options for automatic backups.
7. Select New to set a backup schedule in the Schedule Backups dialog.
8. Tap Finish. 

Then, If you have a backup of your company file before it was updated, you can restore it using the steps below:

1. Click the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
2. Choose Restore a backup copy then press Next.
3. Select Local Backup then click Next.
4. From the Look In drop-down, choose the backup file location.
5. Locate the backup file from the folder. The file name should appear as [Company Name].qbb.
6. Select Open then click Next.
7. From the Save in drop-down, choose the location to save the restored file.
8. Type a new file name in the File name field then click Save. 

Here are some extension you need to know: 

• QBW - Working Files
• QBB - Back Up Files
• QBA - Accountants Copy Files
• QBX - Accountants Transfer Files
• QBY - Accountants Change Files 

Once done, you can now upgrade your QuickBooks Desktop 2013 to 2021 version. For your reference, you can check out this article for the detailed steps and information: Upgrade to a New QuickBooks Desktop Version. 

In case you need tips and related articles in the future, visit our QuickBooks Community help website for reference: QBDT Self-help.  

I'll be right here to help if you need further assistance. Have a great day and stay safe!

@DebBYF 

You may upgrade your file on the trial license of QBD 2015 and 2018. Contact us in private and we may share those trial codes.

Just wanted to provide an update on this.  We did upgrade from pro 2013 desktop to 2021 and we did NOT need to do the intermediate updates to our customer file.  The QB techs that helped with the installation said that the issue had been resolved in Jan 2021 and intermediate updates were no longer needed.  We had no issues with our customer file moving from 2013 to 2021.  We did have issues installing the 2021 version that our own tech had to handle, but no issues at all with the customer file converting.

I just successfully upgrade from QB 2012 Premier with Payroll to QB 2021 (9 years differences) in a single shot.

• It converted directly the database from old to new format (2012 -> 2021)
•  It restored backup from the older version (QB2012) as well
• THE BEST ONE: You can install them side to side on the same computer if you want to compare your old QB company file to you new one. Ensure you duplicate your company files first: one in QB2012 format and a new one in QB2021 format.
• Moreover our integration to import custom invoices using QBFC-11 dll (from C# applications) still work as before. I still can upgrade that to the new QBFC-14 in needs be.

I could not dream of better!

THANKS to QB engineers! That was a great job for maintaining compatibility!

Help!  We did not backup prior to the upgrade from 2018 to 2021. Before we do initial set up, did I lose all of our data?  Or will be restore it automatically? 

Thanks for keeping QuickBooks as your accounting partner, @KernFarm.

I'd be glad to help you upgrade your file to a newer version of QuickBooks.

To start, you'll need to back up your company file first on your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2018 version. When done, you'll have to restore it to your QBDT 2021 to upgrade the file. Note that you'll no longer be able to open the file in QBDT 2018 once the upgrade is complete.

Let me guide you on how:

1. Open your QuickBooks Desktop 2018 and go to the File menu.
2. Hover over Back up Company and select Create Local Backup.
3. Choose Local Backup and then Next.
4. Click Browse and choose where you want to save your backup company file.
5. Click OK.
6. In the Create Backup window, specify whether to back up automatically, and select Options to set options for automatic backups.
7. Select New to set a backup schedule in the Schedule Backups dialog.
8. Click Finish.

For more info about the process, see this article: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

Once done, you're now ready to upgrade the file to QBDT 2021. To guide you with the process, please check out this link: Upgrade your company files after you switch to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

If you're looking for resources or articles you can bookmark or save for future use, you can always visit QuickBooks Help articles page. You can manually search via entering a keyword on the search field or open any of the categories displayed to start browsing. 

If you need further assistance upgrading your file, please post a reply below. I'm just a post away to help you in any way I can. More power to your business. 

From what i am reading in order to update for the current version of quickbooks from 2013 I would have to buy a version from 2016 2019 then 2021 other wise i wouldnt be able to get my data to transfer so i will be able to transfer my company is that true.

I'd like to join you here and answer your inquiries about moving to the later version of QuickBooks, midnightlace1.

There's no need to purchase or buy older versions of the software to upgrade your file from 2013 to 2021. I'd like to clarify that suggestions in the earlier responses was to make the update in between versions to avoid data damage using trial licenses.

However, that is no longer necessary since the last update. As shared by other users in this thread, they were able to update the file directly from 2013 to 2021 without any issues. 

However, you can also contact our Technical Support Team just in case you need extra help when doing the update. They will be the one to update your file and make it ready for QuickBooks 2021. 

Here's how to reach out to them:

1. Go to the Help menu and select Contact Us or press F1 on your keyboard.
2. Click Contact Us at the bottom of the screen.
3. Provide a short description of your concern, then click Continue.
4. Select between Chat or Callback.

Let me share these articles as well for additional references: 

• Install QuickBooks Desktop
• Upgrade Your Company Files After You Switch to a New Version of QuickBooks Desktop

Please visit us back and let us know if you're able to upgrade QuickBooks. You can also post more questions if you need anything else. 

@midnightlace1 

You can utilize the trial version for QBD 2015 and 2019. You don't need to purchase them.

I did a back up of my company file and downloaded the new version of 2022 I still cant get my data to transfer to the new program. I signed up for the online version. Do i have to also purchase the desktop version since i had that previously. I still have my old license number etc. How do i get a copy of the temporary license. And would that help

@midnightlace1 

Click my profile name and you will find our website address to send a private message. We will share the trial license later.

UPGRADE FROM QB 2013 PRO TO 2021 OR 2022
In QuickBooks, go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
Select Restore a backup copy and then Next.
Select Local Backup and then Next.
Browse your computer for your backup company file.
Select a folder to decide where to save your restored company file.

Regards,

Will