How to Open a Newer Revit File in an Older Version (IFC Workaround)

 Revit doesn't support saving a file back to an older version. It's not like AutoCAD, where you can choose a prior file format from the Save As dialog. If someone sends you a file from a newer Revit version than the one you're running, you're normally stuck. There's one workaround worth knowing as a last resort: using IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), an open, object-based BIM file format. 

What to Expect Before You Start

This is important to set expectations correctly: what you get at the end of this process is a limited model. You'll get the 3D geometry and the building footprint to work from, but you should expect to need to go back in and rebuild or adjust things. This isn't a clean, full-fidelity conversion.

The IFC Workaround, Step by Step

1. In the newer Revit file, go to a 3D view, then use Export to IFC. On a larger model, this can take a few minutes to process. The export condenses all of your model's objects and properties down into the IFC format.
2. Close the newer Revit file.
3. Open the older version of Revit. Instead of starting a new project, use Open IFC and select the IFC file you just exported. This step can also take several minutes on a larger model, since Revit is rebuilding all of that IFC information back into native Revit geometry. On a mid-sized model, this process can take around 5 minutes.
4. Review the rebuilt model. Once regenerated, you'll have access to your 3D views, sheets, and levels, but the underlying geometry will look and behave differently than it did in the original file.
5. Save as a Revit file in the older version once you've reviewed the result.

What Changes During the IFC Round Trip

The IFC format doesn't preserve Revit's parametric intelligence, so expect several changes once the model is rebuilt:

• Walls, roofs, and other elements lose their Revit "smartness." A wall may come through as a single, non-editable piece of geometry rather than an editable Revit wall. If you need it to function as a real wall again, you'll likely need to recreate it.
• Openings can look unusual. Elements like window or door openings may appear as void-like geometry (IFC opening elements) rather than the native family you'd expect.
• Windows sometimes don't translate as windows at all. They can come through simply as rectangular openings in a wall, with no window family present. If you need these rebuilt, the most reliable approach is to recreate the wall in a plan view alongside the imported geometry (using it as an underlay), then delete the old geometry once the new wall and windows are in place.
• Doors may come through as static 3D geometry rather than a functioning door family.
• Some walls may be split into multiple segments where they were previously a single element, or the opposite, merged into one element where they were previously separate.
• Roofs typically come through as generic geometry rather than an editable Revit roof, though they can be rebuilt using a Roof by Face approach if needed.

None of this means the workaround isn't useful. For consulting or coordination purposes, having accurate geometry in place, even without full Revit intelligence, is often exactly what's needed. It only becomes a real limitation if you need to actively edit those elements as native Revit objects going forward.

A Lighter-Weight Alternative: DWG Export

If you only need 2D plan views rather than full 3D geometry, exporting to DWG and importing that into the older Revit version is a simpler alternative. It won't give you a working Revit model, but it can save time compared to redoing 2D work from scratch, when 3D geometry isn't actually what you need.

Key Takeaways

• Revit has no native way to save a file to an older version. Unlike AutoCAD, there's no "Save As" option for a prior release.
• IFC export and import is the standard workaround, though the result is a limited model, not a full-fidelity copy.
• Expect significant rework on walls, windows, doors, and roofs. These typically lose their Revit-native intelligence and often need to be rebuilt if you need to actively edit them.
• A DWG export is a simpler alternative when only 2D plan views are needed, rather than full 3D geometry.
• This approach is best suited for reference, coordination, or consulting purposes. Where having accurate geometry in place matters more than full editability.

FAQ: Opening Newer Revit Files in Older Versions

Can I save a Revit file back to an older version? No. Revit has no native downgrade capability. Once a file is saved in a newer version, it can't be opened directly in an older one.

What's the best workaround for opening a newer Revit file in an older version? Export the file to IFC from the newer version, then use Open IFC in the older version to rebuild the model from that file. The result is a limited but usable model with 3D geometry and building footprint intact.

Will my walls, doors, and windows still be editable Revit elements after this process? Generally not as-is. Most elements lose their native Revit intelligence during the IFC round trip and come through as generic 3D geometry. You'll likely need to recreate anything you need to actively edit going forward.

Is there a simpler option if I only need 2D plan views? Yes. Exporting to DWG and importing that into the older Revit version is a lighter-weight alternative when full 3D geometry isn't actually needed.

Working across multiple Revit versions on a project?

Version compatibility issues like this one are common on projects with multiple firms or consultants on different Revit releases. Our AEC/BIM consulting solutions team can help your team establish a consistent version and file-sharing strategy across your project.

Talk to a Hagerman Solutions Engineer about multi-version Revit workflows →

Submitted by Matt Johnson, AEC Solutions Engineer, Hagerman & Company, Inc.