Is the new QuickBooks backwards compatible?

QuickBooks is backward compatible which means that it can open and convert files made from previous versions. However, it is not forward compatible. This is because of simple fact. 

The present version of QuickBooks which is installed on your system today doesn’t comprehend what future versions of QuickBooks will be like; this is applicable to their updated or revised data structures.

       You might have encountered yourself struck in the given situations;

• Your client uses QB 2016 whereas your company uses QuickBooks 2017. The client wants to send you a file for reviewing.

• You have an old version of QuickBooks on your outdated computer system if you want to open up your current QB file on that computer.

• The computer crashes and you are forced to buy a new computer. The moment you install QuickBooks, you can only find your install disk for a previous version. 

• You install it and then you restore the backup you made in the cloud, but unfortunately, it was made by a newer version of QuickBooks.

These above circumstances, depict the used case of an old version of QuickBooks to open a new file. However, it will not work.

The main point is that the latest releases of QuickBooks come with internal modifications to the database. That is the reason why the size of your QuickBooks file gets altered when you upgrade to a newer version. 

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It almost always increases. And adding to this, when you update your file to the latest version, QuickBooks gives you a disclaimer that that changes to your file is not reversible.

So basically, all in all, it means that unfortunately, you cannot use a previous version to open the latest file. You will never be able to open a QuickBooks 2017 file via QuickBooks 2016, to give an example.

The solution to this above problem is to get a version of QuickBooks that is at par or at least later than the version of the QuickBooks file you are trying to access and manage.

In case you wish to take professional help and expert guidance on backward compatibility of QB, you can always call on the QuickBooks technical support number 1 (855) 441 4436 and get yourself updated with the latest version of the software within no time. There is a dedicated team of highly experienced accounting professionals who is well versed with the intricacies of the QB software and the used cases. Feel free to reach out 24*7 to get our query solved.