The Complete ACT! Version Compatibility & Upgrade Guide (1987–2026)

If you’ve found an old ACT! database and are wondering whether it can be opened or converted, you’re not alone. Every week, we hear from businesses that have discovered an ACT! database on an old computer, backup drive, CD, or external hard drive. Some databases are more than 30 years old, while others are only a few versions behind the latest release.

The first question is almost always: “Can the latest version of ACT! convert my database?”

Unfortunately, the answer is not always YES.

Many older ACT! databases cannot be opened directly in the latest version of ACT!. Depending on the version, the database may need to be upgraded through one or more intermediate releases before it can be converted successfully. In some cases, the database must first be repaired if it has become corrupted or damaged.

Why This Guide Exists

One of the biggest frustrations for ACT! users is finding reliable information about version compatibility. Much of the information available online is incomplete, outdated, or applies only to a specific version of ACT!. Even experienced users are often unsure which upgrade path to follow or whether their database can still be recovered.

This guide brings together everything you need to know in one place. Whether you’re trying to:

• Upgrade an older ACT! database
• Open a legacy ACT! database on a newer computer
• Repair a damaged ACT! database
• Recover a forgotten ACT! password
• Migrate from ACT! to another CRM such as Zoho CRM
• Determine which version of ACT! originally created your database

you’ll find the answers here.