Upgrading Q99 Options?

[Dan Wenz]

With some of the local software stores offering "deals" of a free Q2005
software with TurboTax, I've a question on whether that new ver. of Q
will allow me to import the old Q99 software into it. Am I correct that
it will not? If so, I have a copy of Microsoft's Money I've installed -
I received it earlier this year with my new Dell. I was hoping to be
able to import the Q99 file(s) into it, then export from Money into the
new ver. of Q. What's not clear to me is whether Money will successfully
import the Q software. The online manual for Money states:
"In just minutes, you can copy your Quicken data into a data file for
use with Microsoft Money 2004. Money 2004 will convert files from
Quicken U.S. versions 4 through 10, Quicken 2002, and Quicken 2003.
Microsoft Money detects the Quicken file and displays the file name in
the Quicken File Conversion window. If you would prefer to use a
different file, or if Money does not locate a file to upgrade, click
Convert Quicken File on the File menu and then double-click the Quicken
file you want you use. Money will create a backup copy of this file, so
that your data is safe, and then begin converting it.".

Not clear to me is whether Q99 is one of the above ver's. The only note,
on the help menu, is that it's Quicken Basic edition release 8.0. I'm
hoping that "release 8" is what Money is calling "ver.8". Any thoughts?

 

[Steve JORDI]

Dan,
I upgraded from Q98 to Q2003 by first fully exporting all transactions
to QIF files.
I did a file for each account I had.

Then I opened Q2003, created the same accounts and only then,
imported all my QIF files.

It did work ok including the memorized transactions list!

So it may be ok too for Q2005!
Who knows?



Sincerely,
Steve JORDI

(Remove the K_I_L_LSPAM from my email address)

 

[John Pollard]

With some of the local software stores offering "deals" of a
free
Q2005 software with TurboTax, I've a question on whether that
new
ver. of Q will allow me to import the old Q99 software into
it. Am I
correct that it will not? If so, I have a copy of Microsoft's
Money
I've installed - I received it earlier this year with my new
Dell. I
was hoping to be able to import the Q99 file(s) into it, then
export
from Money into the new ver. of Q. What's not clear to me is
whether
Money will successfully import the Q software. The online
manual for
Money states: "In just minutes, you can copy your Quicken data
into a
data file for use with Microsoft Money 2004. Money 2004 will
convert
files from Quicken U.S. versions 4 through 10, Quicken 2002,
and
Quicken 2003. Microsoft Money detects the Quicken file and
displays
the file name in the Quicken File Conversion window. If you
would
prefer to use a different file, or if Money does not locate a
file to
upgrade, click Convert Quicken File on the File menu and then
double-click the Quicken file you want you use. Money will
create a
backup copy of this file, so that your data is safe, and then
begin
converting it.".
Not clear to me is whether Q99 is one of the above ver's. The
only
note, on the help menu, is that it's Quicken Basic edition
release
8.0. I'm hoping that "release 8" is what Money is calling
"ver.8".
Any thoughts?

I can't help you with Money's ability to convert Quicken data,
other that a very subjective note that I believe it is not a
thoroughly satisfying experience, and I think Quicken will do a
better job of upgrading your data ... YMMV.

I can't recall whether Q99 has been specifically mentioned as
being in a successful conversion to Q2005, but I think it has.
If you were already going to buy TurboTax and you could get
Q2005 essentially for free by doing so, I would definitely
suggest you give it a try; there is little to lose and much to
gain, and you should be able to decide fairly quickly if your
conversion was basically successful.

If you do plan to convert, I would be sure to "Validate" (backup
*before* doing this) your Q99 file before conversion, make sure
to save a backup of your last Q99 file before the Q2005
conversion (Quicken will make one for you automatically, you can
make an extra if you like). I would also create a few reports
in Q99 (transaction lists, Account Balances, etc.) to use to
compare to what you find after Q2005 does its conversion.

Lastly, be prepared for a significant user-interface change (I
personally have no problems with it) and, perhaps the biggest
potential zinger: starting with Q2005, quicken will is phasing
out support for QIF file imports. In Q2005 you can no longer
import to Checking, Savings, and Investment accounts; in Q2006,
you will lose the ability to import QIF files to Credit card
accounts. I have not heard of any plans to eliminate QIF file
imports to any other account types but those, and Intuit has
been up front about notifying of the eliminations so I believe
they would have said something if they already planned to
totally eliminate QIF file imports.

 

[John Pollard]

Dan,
I upgraded from Q98 to Q2003 by first fully exporting all
transactions
to QIF files.
I did a file for each account I had.

Then I opened Q2003, created the same accounts and only then,
imported all my QIF files.

It did work ok including the memorized transactions list!

So it may be ok too for Q2005!
Who knows?

Actually your approach will not work for Q2005 because starting
with version Q2005, Quicken no longer supports the import of QIF
files to Checking, Savings, or Investment accounts. (And Q2006
will eliminate the QIF file import to Credit Card accounts).

 

[Dan Wenz]

etc.

I've received several comments already - what fast responses, thanks! I
might as well buy the TurboTax/Quicken 2005 softwares and see what
transpires. May also need to bring Money 2004 into the "equation". Looks
to be an interesting several days to follow The ONLY use I use Q for
is to maintain the mutual funds I own. The rest of my finances is too
boring to bother with!

 

[Ken G]

John, I'm curious. Once Intuit has eliminated the ability to import all of
the major basic account types - Banking, Investment and Credit Card - what
is left that's of any real value for QIF import?

In my opinion, the fact that they've been "up front" about it doesn't
mitigate their decision. The fact that someone tells me in advance that they
are going to chop off my left hand does not make the loss of it any less
traumatic and crippling.

...ken...

 

[John Pollard]

John, I'm curious. Once Intuit has eliminated the ability to
import
all of the major basic account types - Banking, Investment and
Credit
Card - what is left that's of any real value for QIF import?

In my opinion, the fact that they've been "up front" about it
doesn't
mitigate their decision. The fact that someone tells me in
advance
that they are going to chop off my left hand does not make the
loss
of it any less traumatic and crippling.

You're reading something into my post that just was not there.
I said Intuit had been up front about what accounts would no
longer support QIF file import to indicate that I thought that
if Intuit intended to eliminate QIF file import for any more
account types, they would give the same sort of warning they did
this time. That's it; that's all I said. I wasn't
editorializing or making any value judgements or anything else
at all.

 

[Ken G]

My apologies, John. I have certainly been "editorializing" about Intuit's
direction. I find it almost impossible not to because I feel quite strongly
about it. I guess I too easily project those feelings when I read others
messages. I'm sorry for misinterpreting what you wrote.

I was genuinely curious when I asked the question about what's left that's
likely to be of any use once they remove Bank, Credit Card and Investment
accounts? I'm interested in your opinion.

It would also be interesting to know what related items will disappear with
those account types. Will they only eliminate the ability to import the
related transactions or do other things go as well? For instance, will the
categories and classes and lists of things like securities and scheduled and
memorized transactions also go? What else? It would be enlightening to
know the details of what the QIF import will actually still import after the
2006 changes. Details are rather sparse.

Sorry, I'm editorializing by inference again. Yes, in my [admittedly rather
cynical] opinion there's unlikely to be anything left that will be of much
use. I'm genuinely curious to know if I'm overlooking something that will
remain.

...ken...