Backward compatibility of Revit with earlier releases of the software

Autodesk Support

Feb 27, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

Users would like to know whether:

  • Revit is backward compatible with earlier releases of the software?
  • Is it possible to save newer Revit files into previous versions of Revit?
  • Is it possible to work with the newer RVT file format in older Revit version?
  • Is it possible to copy elements from a Revit file to one created by an older version of Revit?

Causes:

Revit does not have a feature to save to older version data formats or work with the newer RVT file format in an older version.

Solution:

The term backward compatibility involves two distinct features:

  1. Open older files: The ability of new versions to open and work with data written by older versions.

  2. Save to older format: The ability to save to an older version data format from a newer version of the software.

Open Older Files

When opening a file, Revit will automatically upgrade older version data to the current version, and will let you know about the upgrade by showing the following dialog.

Model Upgrade

Your model is being upgraded

From: Autodesk Revit <Old Version>
To: Autodesk Revit <Current Version>
When the upgrade is complete, save the model to avoid the need to repeat the process.

 

“Your model is being upgraded" message in Revit

Note: There is no distinct limit to the number of versions you can upgrade to. For example, you can upgrade your Revit 2018 model directly to Revit 2024. If you run into issues upgrading your model from an older version of Revit to a newer version of Revit, try upgrading it one version at a time. If it still fails, contact Autodesk support. 

Open Newer Files

When opening a Revit model, template or family that was saved in a later version, the following error message appears:

Revit

The file (Filename).rvt was saved in a later version of Revit and cannot be retrieved in this version.

The file (file name).rvt was saved in a later version of Revit and cannot be retrieved in this version message

Save as older version

For information on why there is not an option to save to a prior version, see Sasha’s post from the following Revit Idea thread: Save as previous version.

Alternative Workflows

Install and Use the Newer Version:

Export to IFC/DWG:

  1. Open the RVT/RFA file in the newer version of Revit.
  2. Export to one of the following formats:
  • IFC - RVT files.
  • DWG - RVT or RFA files.
  • SAT - RVT or RFA files.

Note:  Export process converts the geometry in the file into a format which can be imported into the earlier version.

  • Open/Import the IFC, DWG, or SAT into the older version of Revit.

 Notes:

  • Plan views: Exported to DWG contain 2D geometry only.
  • Drafting views: Use DWGs for drafting views, as IFC and SAT won't export these.
  • While the IFC Export/Import feature is not designed for this workflow (specifically round-tripping IFC files: Exporting to IFC and importing the IFC back into Revit), the IFC format may provide better fidelity of geometry when exporting and then importing into an older version.
  • This workflow still requires access to the newer version of Revit to open/export.
  • When applying this workflow in a Cloud Worksharing project, consider the IFC related limitations as described in the article: Linked IFC file is not visible in the Revit model in the BIM 360 viewer.

View Only Access:

Note: A separate subscription is required to work with the ACC.
 
 
 

Products:

Revit Product Family;

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