• There are three current file formats - Pro, Premium, Quantum
• Sage discontinued First Step in 2018
• To upgrade a First Step file to the latest version of Sage 50, you need a Pro version at the minimum
• The Sage 50 Accountants Edition isn't a file format. It's a universal version of Sage 50 that opens all three formats of Sage 50
• If you open a Sage 50 Pro file in Premium, you'll permanently convert the file to Premium
• Once you update a file, you can't go back to the previous edition
• Restore from backup to go back to the previous version if you upgrade accidentally
• If you open a Sage 50 Pro file in the Accountants Edition, it stays in Pro
• To upgrade the file, select Upgrade Company from the main menu
• You can check the file format of a data file by going to File, Properties

Determine which upgrade version you need

• If you have a version of Simply Accounting earlier than 5.0, you need Sage 50 Pro to upgrade
• Files below version 5 will need data repair as they are in DOS format. Contact Sage 50 Support for assistance
• Sage 50 products include a conversion wizard

• A file from 2017 First Step will require 2019 Pro
• 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'll require Sage 50 2009 Pro or higher
• If you purchased the wrong version of Sage 50, call 1-888-261-9610 to exchange or upgrade it