Is there a way to convert 2015 backup files to a 2013 version of quicken?

Gunnarlive
Gunnarlive Quicken Windows 2016 Member ✭✭

Parents have been using quicken since like… 2000. They have used 2015 until now, when we had to wipe our computer and restart. Sadly did not manage to save the programdata config file from 2015 so cannot reinstall it without the blank screen error (I tried the Quicknperlwiz advice on this to no success without this config file). Only managed to save the backup files from the wiped computer and the Appdata

So now I am trying to convert the 2015 backups files to the 2013 version which she would be familiar with, but unsure how to do this or if it is possible. Would anyone have any advice about this? Thanks for any replies!

Comments

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭✭✭

    The only way would be a QIF export/import, which that isn't easy. And to do it you would have to get access to the data.

    If you can't get access to the data to do a QIF export, then your only alternative would be to pay for Quicken Subscription, which will load in/convert the Quicken 2015 data file. After that you can try exporting to QIF. If successful you could get a refund for Quicken Subscription (within 30 days). If not successful you will have stay with Quicken Subscription.

    Here is some information on trying a QIF export/import:

    ChangeTransfers changes transfers in a QIF file to categories. - QuicknPerlWiz

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  • Gunnarlive
    Gunnarlive Quicken Windows 2016 Member ✭✭
    edited September 9

    If my quicken 2015 was able to open my backup file properly, would I be able to create a QIF file through the program? Is that what your first sentence is saying? I was able to get the backup file to open properly but only once per installation. Sorry I am not the one in the family that actually uses quicken so unsure of the abilities in the actual program.

    I do not see a QIF file , only a QDF backup file so I am wondering do you mean one must create a QIF file through the program?

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭✭✭

    Yes, that is what I'm saying you have to the QDF file open in Quicken 2015 to do the QIF export. A Quicken backup file is just a QDF file with the type .QDF-Backup which tells Quicken that when it is opened to copy it to another location and open that copy. If you rename it from *.QDF-Backup to *.QDF it will open that data file in place.

    To do a QIF export look on the File → File Export menu.

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  • Gunnarlive
    Gunnarlive Quicken Windows 2016 Member ✭✭

    Alright I was able to export it to QIF although, was unsure if I should do only transactions, or also include account list and category list, or also include memorized payees. I ended up exporting multiple times with various different options. Im thinking my mother will be okay if dont include memorized payees (I assume this means it will not have preset payees to select from). She sounds like she does not want to lose her category list or account list. (if we did not export this wouldnt it just not have an "entertainment" section of payments for example under categories?)

    She only does manual adjustments, the investment accounts can be restarted if they do not transfer well.

    Reading the website you provided, it sounds like split transactions might have issues transferring.

    She has under her accounts tab:

    Banking (she does not want to lose this)

    -Checking

    -Savings

    -Cash Account

    Investing (she would be fine losing this)

    -various investment accounts that she manually updates.

    Property and Debt (she does not want to lose this)

    -house loan

    -assets

    Before importing the file to 2013, would I need to create accounts mimicing these names? I am confused about the part regarding transfers and categories. Why is it important to change all QIF in the account to categories?

  • Gunnarlive
    Gunnarlive Quicken Windows 2016 Member ✭✭

    I am having troubles, here is what I tried:

    1. exported a 2015 QIF file that included transactions, account list, and category list.

    2. uninstalled quicken 2015 completely, then installed quicken 2013.

    3. Ran the exported 2015 QIF file through the changetransfers program from the quicknperlwiz website

    4. created a new quicken file in 2013

    5. Go to view and enable investing and property and debt tabs

    6. Went to file>file import>qif of the 2015 exported qif file that was ran through the quicknperlwiz program. Selected "quicken account to import into: All Accounts", then checked to include in import "transactions, account list, category list, special handling for transfers"

    7. Error occurs: "Unrecognized category or tag found. create new categories and tags for imported items?Y"I select yes

    8. Importing finishes and I see in "investing" that the numbers there are all correct. I see under "property and debt" the numbers there and they are all correct. BUT, under "banking", the "checking" and "savings" accounts are all $0, and have red flags.

    9. Viewing checking, there is on the bottom "downloaded transactions (8871) with a large list under "accept imported payments into register".

    I am confused on what to do here, did I make a mistake during importation? Perhaps I should have included payees in the export? What do I do at this red flagged checkings and savings? Sorry I do not use quicken myself I am doing this for my mother to help her get this going again

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭✭✭

    Where you went wrong is trying to use ImportQIF. ImportQIF is for converting/importing transactions from financial institutions, not for transferring data from one data file to another. Just use Quicken's QIF import on the QIF file that was created from the "Change Transfers" program. (Note you can also try the QIF file directly that Quicken 2015 generated, it might work for you, but I have just found the transfers to be problematic and that is why the suggestion to use "Change Transfers" to change them into regular categories before importing the QIF file).

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  • Gunnarlive
    Gunnarlive Quicken Windows 2016 Member ✭✭
    edited September 10

    I apologize I am not the smartest, I am confused on what I am supposed to do instead of going to file/file import/qif file targeting the "blahblahblahxfersascatalogs" file that was created by the "change transfers" program from the original exported QIF file?

    I do see that if I go to the red flagged accounts though and click accept all, the end "balance" for them seems to be the same as my original file in 2015, does that mean it really all did work out okay? (don't have my mother over yet to look over it but)

    When you say "

    "Just use Quicken's QIF import on the QIF file that was created from the "Change Transfers"

    but also

    "Where you went wrong is trying to use ImportQIF"

    If you meant "importQIF" program on your website, I did not use that sorry for confusion, I only used the ChangeTransfers program

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Quicken Windows Subscription Member ✭✭✭✭

    OK, In that case, then all you need to do is to go to every non-investment account and in the Downloaded Transactions tab select "Accept All".

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