Software Upgrade Paths from Simply Accounting to Sage 50 Canadian Edition
Description
  • I just bought the basic program Sage 50 Canada First Step Accounting and am unable to convert my company.
  • I am using an old version of Simply Accounting. What version of Sage 50 would be compatible to open my file?
  • What is the compatibility of the different versions of Simply Accounting and Sage 50?
Cause
Resolution

Notes:

  • There are three current file formats - Pro, Premium, Quantum
    • First Step was discontinued in 2018 and any old files that need to be updated to 2018 or newer will require the Pro version at the minimum
  • The Sage 50 Accountants Edition is not a file format. It is a universal version of Sage 50 that opens all 4 formats of Sage 50
  • If you open a Sage 50 Pro file in Sage 50 Premium, you will permanently convert the file to Premium. You will not be able to downconvert the file back to Sage 50 Pro unless you restore a backup
  • If you open a Sage 50 Pro file in the Accountants Edition, it remains in the Sage 50 Pro file format in standard normal usage unless someone uses the Upgrade Company option. See  Error: "The company has been upgraded to [Version]. You will not be able to open the company in this version"  - Cause 4
  • A file format of a particular Simply Accounting / Sage 50 file can be determined in the application by going to:
    1. File, Properties
    2. In the Simply Accounting / Sage 50 - File Properties window, next to Product: will indicate what version the file format is


Determine which upgrade version you need:

  • If you have a version of Simply Accounting earlier than version 5.0; the basic product you need is now labeled Sage 50 Pro
  • Below Version 5 files need to be sent into Sage 50 Canada Support for data repair, as they are DOS based
  • Sage 50 products include a conversion wizard.

  • A file from 2017 First Step will require 2019 Pro (First Step was discontinued in 2018)
  • A file from Simply Accounting 2005 Pro is equivalent to and will require Sage 50 2016 Premium
  • If your original file is in Simply Accounting 2005 Basic, you will require a base version of the Sage 50 2009 Pro or higher. If you purchased a lower version of the software (Sage 50 Canada First Step 2016), it can be exchanged/upgraded by calling 1-888-261-9610
    .

DocLink: How to upgrade from a lower edition of Sage 50 to a higher edition or change the number of licenses?
DocLink: Error: "The company has been upgraded to [Version]. You will not be able to open the company in this version"
DocLink: Converting data from Simply Accounting DOS

Steps to duplicate
Related Solutions