Convert Sage 50 Company Data

Sage 50 Data Conversion

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by

Lawrence Flanagan
in

In today’s blog, we will guide you on how to convert Sage 50 company data to the most recent version 2023 or 2024.

You will be required to update Sage 50 and upgrade your Sage accounting software to the most recent version available to improve and manage your business much better and more easily. With the most recent Sage 50 upgrades, you can do a lot more for your company and increase its productivity.

Steps to Take Backup Before Convert Sage 50 Company Data

If you’re considering converting Sage 50 data to the newer version, you’ll want to be aware of a few things as backup Sage 50 data.

  • Make a backup of your company file in case anything goes wrong during data conversion.
  • Navigate to File > Properties. Then, make a note of the location and name of your Company File.
  • Simply Accounting editions 7.0 and lower use the .asc file format.
  • Simply Accounting edition 8.0 until 2007 used the .sdb file format.
  • The file format for editions 2008 and higher is .sai.
  • When performing the conversion, make sure the UAC (User Account Control) is turned off.
  • To complete this step, navigate to the Control Panel and select User Accounts.
  • When performing the conversion, ensure that all firewall, antivirus, and anti-spyware devices are turned off.
  • Save your data to a local drive and then run Advanced Database Check. After that, convert the data and save it back to its original location.
Getting a "Backup not completed" issue while Backup Sage 50 data/company file  to fix Sage backup error.

Why you Cannot Convert the Company File Sage 50 Premium and Quantum Versions 2022 and 2023

You recently opened a company using Remote Data Access, but can’t convert this company file because currently, you are not in single-user mode.

  • Affecting files shared on RDA from the Sage 50 Premium and Quantum versions (remote data access).
  • Problem with Sage’s automatic backup feature in version 2020.2 that prevents data synchronization from being closed when a shared file is closed on remote data access.

Tips to Resolve the Can’t Convert the Company File Sage 50 Premium and Quantum

cannot convert company file

Note:

  • You will receive a message when you open the company again in Sage 50 2020.2 that says This company file has been opened in a newer version of Sage 50 Accounting, which you have installed. In the new version of Sage 50 accounting do you want to open the file then you have to select NO.
  • You will need to uninstall it and reinstall the full version 2020.2 if the version of Sage 50 you recently installed is 2020.3.
  • Then you will need to uninstall it and reinstall 2021.0 if the version that you recently installed is 2021.1.
  • You will get your old downloads in
    • C:\\Sage
    • C:\Users\Public\Documents\Sage Software\Simply Accounting\Download
    • In your Downloads folder

Method 1- Downgrade Sage 50 Old Version

  • You have to downgrade the Sage 50 to the old version (uninstall the current version and reinstall the old version)
  • In the old version open and close the file
  • Before trying to convert the file to version 2021 you have to wait a few minutes after closing the file (to make sure that the RDA data synchronization has been completely closed).

Method 2- Auto-backup

  • First, you have to downgrade the Sage 50 to the old version (uninstall the current version and then reinstall the old version)
  • In the old version, you have to open the data file
  • Then you have to go to Setup, Settings, Company, Backup
  • To do Automatic backups you have to uncheck the box
  • After that, you have to close the file and reopen and in the previous version you have to close it again.
  • After closing the file you have to wait a few minutes (to make sure the RDA data synchronization has been completely closed) before trying to convert the file to version 2021
  • If it is required put the option for auto-backup back on

Method 3: 

  • To the old version, you have to downgrade the Sage 50 (uninstall the current version and reinstall the old version)
  • In the old version, you have to open the data file
  • Then you have to go to File, Remote Data Access, Pause Sharing
  • Then close the file
  • To the latest version of Sage 50 try to convert the file

Tips to Convert Sage 50 Company Data to a New Release Format

If you are a Sage user and want to convert your Sage 50 data into a more usable format, there are a few steps that you can take. There are several options for converting your data.

Convert Sage 50 Company Data with the Use of Data Conversion Wizard

  • Open the File menu from the Sage 50 application
  • Click on “Open the company” and then OK if the file displayed is yours.
  • Once you’ve finished reading the introductory text, Click the Next button
  • After that click on Data Conversion Wizard then Confirm Company
  • To start the conversion process click on Next
  • A message will be displayed informing you that your data has been updated to a newer format.
  • Continue to press Next until you see the FINISH option.

Upgrade Wizard

  • Click on the option SELECT AN EXISTING COMPANY and then click OK.
  • The LOOK IN: FIELD can be found in the Open Company Window.
  • You must change this to the folder containing your data file.
  • Then, click on your data and then OK.
  • A message will be displayed informing you that your data will be updated to a newer format.
  • Click Next several times to proceed through the Upgrade wizard, then click Finish.

Tips to Implement a Data Conversion from a Prior Version of Sage 50

Have you recently upgraded and installed your Sage 50 software? After an upgrade, you need to convert your Sage 50 data with the use of Data Conversion Wizard.

  • Open your Sage 50 program
  • Then select your company and click OK to open an existing company
  • If your data is not on this PC/ you need to restore a Sage 50 backup
  • Click Next to open the Data Conversion Wizard then click on confirm
  • After that click on the Back Up Existing Company Information button and then click Save
  • Depending on the size of your data, the data conversion may take some time. Do not interrupt it.
  • In the Conversion Completed window, click Finish once the conversion is complete.

Tips to Convert Sage 50 Company Data

In this section read how you convert my Sage 50 company data.

Method I: Convert company data following an upgrade

  • Open your Sage 50 software
  • Select Open Company from the File menu
  • Choose the desired company and open it
  • You will be taken to the conversion wizard
  • On the Introduction page, click Next then confirm the company, press Next
  • Make a backup, and then click Next
  • When the conversion is complete, select Finish.

Method II: The conversion of company data originating from a different location

  • First back the company in the other location
  • Then restore the backup at the current location where you data convert it
  • The conversion wizard will automatically begin after the restoration is complete
  • The conversion process will begin once you follow the prompts in the wizard
  • After the conversion is complete, click Finish to open the company

Convert Sage 50 Data from Older Versions to a Newer Version

How do I Convert my Data to a Newer Version of Sage 50 Accounts

To start the Data Conversion Process to a Newer Version of Sage 50

  • First of all, Create a backup of your data
  • After that open the newly installed Sage 50 version
  • If you get the Welcome Screen with several options
    • Click Open the last company
    • Click OK
  • If you get the Welcome Screen with several options
    • Click Select an existing company
    • Click OK.
  • Change the Look in: field in the Open company window to the folder where your data is stored.
  • Now select Sage 50 data filename and click OK.
  • Click Next to go to the Upgrade wizard
  • Finally, click Finish.

Tips to Convert from Sage 50 2013 Or Sage Simply Accounting to the Latest Version 2023 With Ease

Older formats of Sage 50 data migration and conversion are not covered by your Sage support subscription.

Simply Accounting 2008 and newer

  • As long as Sage 50 2014 or Sage 50 2015 (bridge) is installed on the PC, data files from Simply Accounting 2008 through Sage 50 2013 can be converted directly to Sage 50 2023. Simply open the file with the most recent version of Sage 50; there is no need to pre-convert it to 2015.
  • Before upgrading to Sage 50 2023, data files from Simply Accounting 2007 or previous must be pre-converted to Sage 50 2014 or 2015.
  • Make sure Sage 50’s most recent purchase is the right one before beginning any conversions. Depending on the current file format, the data file may occasionally need to be upgraded to a higher version of Sage 50 Pro, and Premium.

Steps to Convert

  • First, you have to download Sage 50 2015.3 full product
  • Install the 2015 version Choose Trial Version when a serial number is requested.
  • Continue with the installation after selecting your edition Sage 50 Pro, Premium, or Quantum, in which your data was created. Choosing the Accountants Edition with the 30-day trial option is a good option if you are unsure.
    • Go to step 4 if your data currently periods the years 2008 to 2013.
    • Open your database in version 2015 if it was created in Simply Accounting 2007 or before.
      • To create a backup and finish the data conversion, follow the on-screen instructions.
  • To prompt the Sage 50 2013 or Simply accounting conversion to Sage 50 2023, open your old company file or database in the newer version of Sage 50 2022 or 2023.

Tips to Fix the Unable to Convert Data to a Newer Version of Sage 50 Accounts

If the error occurred while converting to a newer version of Sage 50 but Sage 50 software fails the conversion process, your computer freezes, and or the file does not open.

When you convert data to a newer version of Sage 50 software sometimes you get an error message displayed i.e. “Errors were found during conversion. Do you want Sage 50 to try to repair these errors”, or “The program detected errors while converting your data. You may want to restore your latest backup and try the conversion again”, “Sage 50 encountered a problem with your company data file during the upgrade process”, “Unable to open the company file”, “Sage 50 is not responding and nothing else happens for a long time”.

Option 1: Disable antivirus and firewall plus any real-time scanner

  • Disable the real-time scanner (Examples: Windows Defender; McAfee), then you have to try to convert the file.
  • Then you have to disable the antivirus and then again try to convert the file.
  • Disable the firewall also if the conversion fails, and then try the conversion again.
  • Try to open the sample company if the conversion fails again.

Option 2: Incomplete install

  • In the newer version if you cannot open the sample company then your installation of Sage 50 may be incomplete.
  • Then you have to uninstall Sage 50.
  • After that, you have to disable your antivirus and firewall and then install Sage 50.

Option 3: Check the content of the SAJ folder

  • First, you have to find the SAJ folder.
  • Then you have to open the SAJ folder and verify the contents.
  • Delete the duplicate or unneeded files, if found.
    • Before conversion, the SAJ folder should look like this:

Option 4: Convert sample company in order version to a newer version

  • Verify that you can convert the sample company in the older version to the newer version or not.
    • The cause may be environmental if it fails.

Option 5: Anti-virus, Firewall, and Anti-spyware programs

  • On your computer, check to see if anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware programs are active (this includes Windows Defender for real-time scanning).
  • If necessary, disable them temporarily or make changes to them to give Sage 50 full access.

Option 6: Data in SAI and SAJ format

  • To check if they are marked as hidden you have to right-click the SAI file and SAJ folder then click Properties.
  • Open the file in its original version of Sage 50 or Simply Accounting, if they are not hidden.
  • Install it to C:\Program Files\simold if you need to reinstall the old version.
  • Then you have to create a backup of your data named Backup before conversion.
  • Then you have to click Maintenance then check Data Integrity and then you have to write down any data inconsistencies.
  • Now you have to click Setup then User Preferences and in the View options enable all modules to be displayed.
    • In case the Project module doesn’t have a name then you have to select Setup then Settings and then change the name to Project.
  • Then you have to click Maintenance, then Clear data.
  • Until two years ago you had to clear Invoice Lookup, Inventory Tracking, Tax Reports, and Paid Transactions.
  • After that, you have to click Maintenance then click on Advanced Database Check, and then you have to click Yes.
  • Then you have to click File then Properties and then you have to write down the file location and their name.
  • You have to close your old version of Sage 50 or Simply Accounting.
  • Now you have to open the Sage 50- Database utilities by clicking Sage_SA_dbutil.exe application that is located under C:\Progaram Files\Sage 50<Version>
  • Then you have to click Browse and then change the Files of type option that is at the bottom of this screen by All Files.
  • After that, you have to go to the location of your file.
  • Now you have to choose and enable all four actions to perform and then you have to click OK.
  • Enter sysadmin password if the data file is password-protected.
  • On your screen, a message will display that your tasks are complete and then you have to close the Database utilities.
  • Now you have to open the file in the new version of Sage 50 and then you have to try conversion.

Tips to Troubleshoot a Sage 50 Failed Data Conversion Issue

You must restore the prior backup you finished and try the process again if a data conversion fails. Installing a product upgrade requires data conversions; in some cases, a product maintenance update requires data conversion as well.

The new version of Sage 50 allows you to recover your previous company data in a fresh, temporary company folder without needing to remove a Sage 50 upgrade or product update.

Steps to Restore a Sage 50 Company Backup from the Previous Version to Fix the Sage 50 Failed or Fails Data Conversion Issue

  • If Sage 50’s upgraded version isn’t already running, launch it now.
  • Choose Restore under the File menu.
  • Then you have to select the folder and backup file for a previous data conversion that you want to restore.

Typically, the backup file for data conversion is located in your original company data folder. BackupV#.ptb is the standard file name for conversion backups, where # denotes the current version number, for example, BackupV9.ptb. The *.ptb file extension designates backup files for Sage 50.

The backup file will start with your old company name if you previously checked the Include company name check box in the Data Conversion wizard.

  • Click Next after choosing the appropriate.ptb file.
  • Then you have to choose to restore to a new company.
  • As soon as the Restore Options window opens, you can select the files you want to restore:
    • Select the Customized Forms check box to restore all backed-up custom forms, such as customized invoices.
    • Then you have to select the Web Transactions check box in the Sage 50 Web Transaction Center to restore every Web transaction. All unprocessed Web transactions that were synced with the WebSync wizard after the backup date will be lost.
    • Select the Company Data check box to restore all backed-up data files for the company, including customized forms.
    • After that, you have to select the Intelligence Reporting Reports checkbox to recover every report from intelligence reporting. The most recent versions of the Standard Intelligence Reporting reports will be used in their place, while the backup’s collection of custom reports will take their place for custom reports.
  • Then you have to choose Next.
  • After double-checking your selections, you have to click Finish.
  • Sage 50 shows a progress indicator while the restore is in progress.

Re-start Sage 50 Data Conversion Wizard

Before re-start conversion wizard, follow below some tasks

  • Turn off screen savers
  • disable anti-virus software
  • Close all applications
  • Checking disk space

Starting the Data Conversion Wizard

  • First, go to the File menu then select Open Company.
  • Welcome to the Sage 50 Data Conversion window open, you are informed that your company data needs to be converted.
  • Once you’ve finished reading the introductory text, Click the Next button
  • After that click on Data Conversion Wizard then Confirm Company
  • To start the conversion process click on Next
  • or
  • Connect Sage consultant experts via chat or phone.

We hope the steps outlined above assist you in Sage 50 Data Conversion. However, you may contact our Sage well-versed staff of specialists whenever you have a problem. To get connected and learn more contact Sage 50 consultant-trained professionals for help.

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