Convert clients between Individual and Business client types in Canopy. This feature supports single or bulk conversions and is available as a beta through Experimental Features.

Beta Feature Client type conversion is currently available as a beta. You must enable this feature before it can be used.

Why This Matters

Client records sometimes start in the wrong client type or need to change as a client’s situation evolves. Converting a client type allows you to correct or update client records without recreating them, while keeping the client history intact.

Enable Client Type Conversion (Beta)

Before converting any clients, you must enable the experimental feature.

Click your Profile icon in the top navigation.
Select Settings.
Open Experimental Features.
Toggle on Client Type Conversion.

Convert Client Type (Single or Bulk)

Client type conversion can be done for one client or multiple clients at the same time. All selected clients must be the same client type.

Navigate to Clients > Client List.
Select either the Business tab or the Individual tab.
- You can only convert one client type at a time (Business → Individual or Individual → Business).
- Selecting clients from a single tab helps prevent mixed-type selections.
Select the checkbox next to the client or clients you want to convert.
Click the three-dot (More options) bulk actions icon.
Select Convert client type.
Choose the client type you want to convert to:
- Individual or Business
Click Convert client to complete the conversion.

Notes

If you select the same client type the client already has, you’ll see a notification that the conversion isn’t possible. You can change the client type at the top of the modal.
The conversion applies to all selected clients.

What Happens to Client Data When Converting

Converting a client type permanently removes certain data depending on the direction of the conversion.

Converting from Individual to Business

Data Removed

Filing status
Individual custom fields

Important

This conversion works in most cases because no required fields must be populated.
If you convert Individual → Business → Individual, the originally removed data is not restored.

Converting from Business to Individual

Requirement

The Business client must have a Primary Contact before conversion.

Data Removed

Business name
Business custom fields
Date established
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Business type
Industry
Business email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses

Important

If you later convert Business → Individual → Business, the EIN will be restored.

Requirements and Common Warnings

Missing Primary Contact (Business → Individual)

If a Business client does not have a Primary Contact, you must add one before converting.

Click Add primary contact in the conversion modal.
Select Add new contact in the Client Info modal.
Enter the contact information and click Save Client.
- If no other contacts exist, the new contact is set as Primary by default.
If a contact already exists:
- Open the Contact Type dropdown.
- Change the contact to Primary Contact.
- Click Save Client.

You must complete this step for all affected clients before the conversion can proceed.

Best Practices

Export or document important client data before converting client types.
Confirm all requirements are met, especially Primary Contact requirements for Business clients.
Understand that most removed data cannot be automatically recovered.
Use bulk conversion carefully to avoid unintended data loss across multiple clients.

Summary

Client type conversion allows you to switch clients between Individual and Business records without recreating them. Because some data is permanently removed during conversion, review requirements and data impacts carefully before proceeding—especially when converting in bulk.