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Error: QuickBooks is not able to convert your Mac file to a Windows file

SOLVED•by QuickBooks•1•Updated over 1 year ago

Learn how to fix the error after QuickBooks for Mac to Windows company file conversion.

You might get the error, "QuickBooks is not able to convert your Mac file to a Windows file. Restore was successful, but the file cannot be opened in this version without being updated".

This error may occur if a document's memo field contains too many characters or if there is an unrecognizable character in a specific transaction. Don't worry, follow these solutions until the error is gone.

  • In QuickBooks for Mac, select QuickBooks, then Check for QuickBooks Updates.
  • In QuickBooks for Windows, select Help, then Update QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Alternatively, you can also download the updates.
    Important: Make sure your product is selected. If not, go to the Change link and select your QuickBooks product.
  • Perform basic data checks or repairs to check a certain cause of the error.

In QuickBooks for Mac

Step 1: Verify the data

  1. Go to File, then select Utilities.
  2. Select Verify data.

If a problem is detected, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Run a rebuild

  1. Go to File, then select Utilities.
  2. Select Rebuild data.

Step 3: Run a Verify again

This is to make sure there are no problems detected.

  1. Open the company file in QuickBooks for Mac.
  2. Generate a Transaction detail by Date report for all dates:
    1. Go to Reports, then select Transaction detail by Date.
    2. From the Dates ▼ drop-down, select All Dates.
    3. Review the Memo column (the Item Description field on forms) for any text that is longer than the maximum 100 characters.
    4. Double-click the transactions with large memos or descriptions, then either delete or shorten those memos to less than 99 characters.
    5. Create a new backup file for your QuickBooks for Windows file, then do the conversion again.
  1. Open the company file in QuickBooks for Mac.
  2. Go to Reports, then select Memorized reports.
  3. Examine the Memorized reports list looking for any duplicate reports.
  4. Delete all duplicate memorized reports.
  5. Create a new backup file for your QuickBooks for Windows company file, then attempt the conversion again.

Note: Only consider condensing your file as your final option.

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