If you have a multi-company licence on Sage 50 Accounts you can create more than one company. There are different ways to add a company:

You can:

• Create a new company from scratch
• Add a company via a backup
• Connect to company data over a network
• Connecting to company data via Remote Data Access.

For steps for any of these options to add a company, go to the section below.

NOTE: These steps are for Sage 50 Account v27 and above. Using Sage 50 Accounts v26 and below? Read our alternative guide >

Don't have any options to add a company?

These options to add a company may not be available for the following reasons:

• You don't have a multi-company licence.
• You've reached the maximum number of companies.
• You're logged on as a user who doesn't have access to this option. 

Need a licence for an additional company? - Submit your details and we'll be in touch.

Watch a video about this

Create a new company

Following these steps creates a new company from scratch. 

1. On the Company Selection window, click Add Company.
   
   TIP: Alternatively if you're already logged into an existing company, click File, click New, then click Company. If prompted, enter your Password and click OK.
   
   
2. Click Create then if required, to change where the new company creates the files, click Change or Browse, browse to the required location and click OK.
   
   This is where company’s data files will be stored.
   
   
   
3. Click Continue, then if you use a multi-user version, you'll see the Network sharing screen, click Next.
   
4. Run through and complete the details in the Add a Company window. Start with your Company details and finish with the Summary.
   
   
   TIP: When entering VAT details, you must enter the standard VAT rate. This is currently 20% for the UK, even if you're not VAT registered.
   
   
5. Once you have completed details these, click Create.
6. Enter your logon details then click OK.
   
   NOTE: By default your logon name is MANAGER.

What do I do next?

Set up your newly created company.

First, set up your record defaults. For example, for your customers and suppliers, set what their default tax code is. Once done you can then start to create your records then process your accounts.

For more information about this - Read more >

TIP: Did you know you can set up your company so someone can access it remotely from another computer? Find out more about Remote Data Access >

Add an existing company that is on another computer you connect to on a network

Following these steps connects you to company data that exists on a computer that you connect to over a network.

Before you start

If the data is on another computer or server that you connect to via a local network:

• You must ensure the data folder is shared to access the data.
• You must also ensure that the other computer has the same version of Sage 50 Accounts installed.

Connect to the data via a local network

1. Click File then click Open and Open Company Data.
2. Click + Add Company and click Connect then click Browse.
3. Locate the data or type the data path in and click OK.
4. Click Continue then click Connect.
5. Enter your Logon name and Password then click OK.

NOTE: By default your logon name is MANAGER.

Add an existing company by restoring a backup

Select this option if you have an existing data saved as a Sage backup.

1. Click File then click New and click Company.
2. If prompted, enter your Password and click OK.
3. Click Restore then, under Browse to your backup file, click Browse.
4. Locate the backup or type the path to the backup file, then click Open.
   
   If you want to change the location of where you hold your data, update the path under Your company data will be created in the following location.
   
   
5. Click Continue. then click Restore.
6. Enter your Logon name and Password then click OK.

NOTE: By default your logon name is MANAGER.

Connect to an existing company using Remote Data Access

Following these steps creates a connects you to a company remotely that is set up for Remote Data Access.

Before you start

You must make sure:

• You must make sure you're on the same version as the other computer on Remote Data Access.
• You've been given access to connect to the company remotely.

Connect to data remotely

1. Click File then click Open and Open Company Data.
2. Click Add Company and click Download then click Continue.
3. Enter your Sage Account email address and password, then click Sign In.
4. If prompted, enter the Captcha text then click Continue.
5. Select the company data you want to connect to, then click Next.
6. Enter the encryption password for the shared data, click Connect then log in to the company.
   
   

    NOTE: If you aren't the data owner, the person who invited you to access their data should supply you with the encryption password. If you can't see the company listed, the data owner has not given access to your Sage Account.

 TIP: Want to delete a company? - Read more >