Are files from different version of AE compatible

[defaultwuno8vuiy5al]

I am switching from AE 2019 to 2021, I was wondering can I still open and edit my 2019 files in 2021? Thanks 

[Rick Gerard · Accepted solution]

Yes. You can open files that are several versions old. Older ones will be converted if they need to be. I think you have to go back to about CS6 before you run into problems opening files created with previous versions. 

Moving in the opposite direction is not possible once the basic structure of AE has changed. You cannot usually open a more recent version in the previous version of After Effects.