My understanding is that Crystal Reports 2016 is a new file format (new features) and is not backwards compatible.  Use it only for Sage v2018+.

I'm with Kevin. I haven't heard from any of our 2018 Pioneers that they've been able to use 2016 on prior Sage releases. This has definitely slowed adoption on the consulting side because virtually all consultants have to support several versions back so this incompatibility means they have to either install/uninstall or work with virtual machines.

Thanks Kevin and Wayne. This confirms my suspicions as well. It looks like I'm going to have an extra laptop available to support both versions of Crystal. Happy Holidays to you both.

I have about 10 versions of Sage on my C: drive for consulting purposes and a live version on our network.  Once I installed 2016 Crystal, I could no longer print in the older versions.  I worked with Sage support, but they were unable to get it to work.  I was told to put Sage 2018 with Crystal 2016 on a virtual server.  Not happy, but it is what it is.

@sued2, Strange that Sage support couldn't help you with that.  Someone posted a hack / fix for the runtime issue in 90-Minds more than a week ago (copying a config file...), and it appeared to come from a Sage document.  Perhaps someone from Sage can chime in with details?

Here's a link to the Sage 100 knowledgebase article with the resolution:

Error occurs when printing in older version of Sage 100 after installing Sage 100 2018

The printing from older versions is not an issue; the KB article gets us around that issue. My issue is supporting clients on older versions. We do a lot of report and form customization, and most clients aren't ready to upgrade upon release of the new versions. My firm just solved my problem for me, though. I'm getting a new laptop and will retain my older one to continue working with older versions of Sage. Woo Hoo!

Crystal Reports 2016 is just an updated version of Crystal Reports 2011 - Think of CR 2016 as CR 2011 with an update. 

SAP calls CR 2016 a "Minor" release of CR 2011 which is why you cannot install both CR 2016 and  CR 2011 on same machine. You can only install "Major" releases on same machine. If you want to install CR 2016, you will be forced to first uninstall CR 2011.

"Major" releases include SAP Crystal Reports 2011 (used on Sage 100 versions 2013 & higher), Crystal Reports XI (used on Sage 100 versions 4.4 & 4.5) & Crystal Reports 10 (used on Sage 100 versions 4.10-4.30)

Installing Crystal Reports 2016 Designer is not necessary and you can modify reports on Sage 100 2018 using your existing Crystal Reports 2011.

If you installed the new Crystal Reports 2016 included with Sage 100 2018, you will still be able to edit your reports on Sage 100 2013 & higher

Click the following link for more information found on SAP's website:

https://apps.support.sap.com/sap/support/knowledge/public/en/1216278

Everything Sage100ERPHelper posted seems to be exactly right.

Crystal Reports 2011 is version 14.0.

Crystal Reports 2016 is version 14.2.

Thanks, Scott! Have you tested modifying a report using Crystal 2016 and running it in, say, Sage 100 2015? I'll be able to test it next week if you haven't.