If you have opened TallyPrime and noticed that the Current Period is showing an old financial year, the solution is usually straightforward. TallyPrime allows you to change the period of the company without creating the same company data again. This is particularly useful when you want to continue bookkeeping in a new financial year while keeping historical information available for reference and comparison.
For Indian businesses, where the financial year commonly runs from 1 April to 31 March, knowing how to move from one period to another can save considerable time during year-end and new-year accounting activities.
In this complete guide, we will explain what Current Period means in TallyPrime, how to change it step by step, which shortcut key to use, how Current Period differs from Current Date, what happens to previous-year balances, common mistakes to avoid, and how to verify that the new period has been applied correctly.
Read the Complete Guide to understand the process clearly before making period-related changes in your company data.
What Is Current Period in TallyPrime?
The Current Period defines the date range within which TallyPrime displays and processes company information for the selected working context.
For example, suppose your company has been operating with a financial period of:
1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
When you need to start working in the next financial year, you may change the Current Period to:
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
TallyPrime then allows you to work with transactions belonging to the selected period while retaining the historical company information.
According to TallyHelp, changing the current period allows users to continue using the same company data, carry forward balances, and compare reports between financial years.
This makes the feature especially useful for businesses that want continuity instead of immediately creating a completely separate company.
Why Should You Change the Current Period?
Changing the Current Period can make financial-year management considerably easier.
Continue Accounting Without Recreating Company Data
One of the biggest advantages is continuity. You do not necessarily need to create another company merely because a new financial year has started.
Your existing company data can continue to be used while you move the working period forward.
View the Correct Financial-Year Transactions
A correctly selected period helps you focus on transactions belonging to the required accounting period.
This is useful when entering:
- Sales invoices
- Purchase invoices
- Receipts
- Payments
- Journal entries
- GST-related transactions
- Inventory transactions
- Bank transactions
- Expense entries
Compare Previous and Current-Year Reports
Maintaining continuous company data can also make historical comparisons easier.
For example, you may want to compare:
- Current-year sales with previous-year sales
- Purchases across financial years
- Receivables and payables
- Expenses
- Profitability
- Ledger balances
- Inventory information
TallyHelp specifically notes that changing the period can support comparison of reports across financial years.
What Is the Shortcut Key to Change Current Period in TallyPrime?
The primary shortcut for changing the company period in TallyPrime is:
Alt + F2
TallyPrime’s current shortcut documentation identifies Alt+F2 for changing the period of the company, while F2 is used for changing a date or the period of a report.
This distinction is important because users sometimes press F2 when they actually want to change the company’s Current Period.
Quick Shortcut Reference
| Requirement | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Change Current Period | Alt + F2 |
| Change date | F2 |
| Change report period | F2 |
| Change Dashboard period | Ctrl + F2 |
| Select another company | F3 |
The exact option available can depend on the screen you are currently using.
How to Change Current Period in TallyPrime Step by Step
Changing the Current Period is a relatively simple process.
Step 1: Open Your Company in TallyPrime
Start TallyPrime and load the company for which you want to change the period.
Make sure you have selected the correct company before making accounting changes.
The company name should be visible in the TallyPrime interface.
Step 2: Go to the Gateway of Tally
After loading the company, go to the Gateway of Tally.
This is the main navigation area from which you can access accounting, reporting, company, and data-management functions.
Step 3: Press Alt + F2
From the Gateway of Tally, press:
Alt + F2
This opens the option for changing the company period.
TallyHelp’s current instructions specifically direct users to Gateway of Tally and Alt+F2 (Period) when moving to a new financial year.
Step 4: Enter the New From Date
Enter the starting date of the required period.
For a typical Indian financial year, the new year may begin on:
1 April
For example:
From: 1-4-2026
Step 5: Enter the New To Date
Now enter the ending date of the required financial period.
For example:
To: 31-3-2027
The exact dates should always match the accounting period applicable to your company and data.
Step 6: Confirm the Period
Review the From and To dates carefully.
If the dates are correct, confirm the change.
TallyPrime will update the Current Period displayed in the company environment. The official Hindi TallyHelp instructions similarly state that users should enter the From and To dates and press Enter after completing the required backup.
Step 7: Verify the Current Period
Return to the Gateway of Tally and check the displayed Current Period.
You should now see the newly selected date range.
For example:
Current Period: 1-4-2026 to 31-3-2027
If the dates appear correctly, the company period has been changed.
What Happens When You Change the Current Period?
Changing the Current Period does not mean that your previous accounting information automatically disappears.
One important feature documented by Tally is that balances from the previous financial year can be carried forward when the current period is changed.
This allows businesses to continue their accounting without manually recreating every ledger balance.
For example, imagine that your previous year’s closing balance for a customer was ₹75,000.
When the new financial year begins, the corresponding opening position can continue into the new accounting period according to the company’s accounting data.
This is one reason changing the period can be more convenient than rebuilding accounting information from scratch.
Do You Need to Create a New Company for Every Financial Year?
No, not necessarily.
TallyPrime provides different approaches for moving to a new financial year. One option is to change the Current Period while continuing with the existing company data.
This approach can be appropriate when:
- You want continuous company data.
- You want to compare reports across years.
- The previous books have not been completely finalized.
- You still need to make year-end adjustments.
- You want to avoid recreating masters and company information.
TallyHelp states that changing the period is one method of moving to a new financial year, while other approaches include splitting company data or creating a new company.
The correct method depends on your accounting requirements and how you manage historical data.
What Is the Difference Between Current Period and Current Date?
This is one of the most common sources of confusion among new TallyPrime users.
Current Period
The Current Period represents the date range for the company’s accounting work.
You can change it using:
Alt + F2
Current Date
The Current Date represents the date being used for transaction entry or other date-specific activities.
Tally’s documentation distinguishes the date function from the period function. In TallyPrime, F2 is used to change a date or the period of a report, whereas Alt+F2 changes the company period.
Simple Example
Suppose your Current Period is:
1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027
But you want to enter a transaction dated:
15 September 2026
You may only need to change the transaction date.
You do not necessarily need to change the company’s Current Period.
Understanding this distinction can prevent unnecessary changes to your accounting environment.
Why Does TallyPrime Show an Old Financial Year?
If TallyPrime is displaying an old Current Period, several situations may explain it.
The Previous Period Is Still Selected
The most straightforward explanation is that the company period has not yet been changed.
Use:
Alt + F2 → Enter From and To dates → Confirm
You Opened the Wrong Company
If multiple companies are maintained in TallyPrime, check the selected company before changing anything.
Using the wrong company can lead to confusion about whether the correct financial data is being displayed.
You Changed a Report Period Instead
Pressing F2 inside a report can change that report’s date range without changing the company’s Current Period.
This is an important distinction.
TallyPrime’s report documentation confirms that F2 is commonly used to change the period for reports.
How to Check Whether the Current Period Changed Successfully
After changing the period, perform a quick verification.
Check the Gateway of Tally
Look at the Current Period shown on the Gateway screen.
Open a Report
Open a relevant accounting report and verify its date range.
Check a Ledger
Open a ledger and confirm that transactions are being displayed for the intended period.
Enter a Test Transaction Carefully
If appropriate for your workflow, verify the voucher date before saving any actual transaction.
Do not create unnecessary test transactions in live accounting data merely for verification.
What Should You Do Before Moving to a New Financial Year?
Changing a period is simple, but financial-year transition should not be treated as a casual date change.
TallyHelp recommends preparing company data before moving to a new financial year. Its current guidance includes completing pending purchase and sales adjustments, forex adjustments where applicable, reconciling or filing GST returns as applicable, and taking a full backup.
A practical checklist is:
1. Take a Full Backup
Create a reliable backup of the company data before making major year-end changes.
2. Review Pending Transactions
Check for pending:
- Sales invoices
- Purchase bills
- Receipts
- Payments
- Journal entries
- Bank transactions
- Inventory adjustments
3. Review GST Information
Where applicable, review GST-related transactions and reconciliation status before moving into the new period.
4. Check Outstanding Balances
Review customer receivables and supplier payables.
5. Review Inventory
If your company maintains stock records, check inventory quantities and valuation before beginning the new financial year.
6. Review Voucher Numbering
Financial-year transitions are also a useful time to review voucher-numbering requirements.
TallyHelp’s current guidance discusses restarting voucher numbering for relevant voucher types when moving to a new financial year.
Should You Change Voucher Numbering When Starting a New Financial Year?
Voucher numbering deserves separate attention.
Many businesses prefer a fresh numbering series at the beginning of a new financial year because it makes transaction identification easier.
However, the numbering structure should be consistent with the company’s accounting procedures and applicable statutory requirements.
TallyHelp notes that businesses moving into a new financial year may restart voucher numbering for relevant voucher types.
Before changing voucher numbering, review your organization’s accounting policy and applicable compliance requirements.
What If You Want to Keep Old Data Separate?
Changing the Current Period is not the only way to handle financial-year data.
For businesses that want separate data files or reduced historical data size, splitting company data can be another approach.
According to TallyHelp, splitting may be appropriate after finalization or audit, particularly when accumulated data has become large or when separate folders for different financial years are preferred.
However, splitting should be performed carefully.
You should verify:
- Opening balances
- GST opening credits
- Outstanding receivables
- Outstanding payables
- Stock valuation
- Voucher numbering
- Historical records
Do not split company data simply because a new financial year has started. First determine whether your business actually needs separate data.
Current Period vs Splitting Company Data: Which Is Better?
There is no single answer for every business.
Change Current Period When:
- You want continuous accounting data.
- Historical information is useful for comparison.
- Year-end adjustments may still be required.
- You prefer a simpler transition.
- The company data remains manageable.
Split Company Data When:
- Accounts have been finalized.
- You need separate financial-year data.
- Historical data has become very large.
- You want to reduce the size of active company data.
- Your accounting process requires separate company datasets.
TallyHelp specifically describes changing the period and splitting company data as different methods with different practical purposes.
Can You Compare Two Financial Years in TallyPrime?
Yes.
One of the useful reasons for maintaining continuous data is the ability to analyze information across financial years.
You might compare:
- Revenue
- Purchases
- Expenses
- Gross profit
- Net profit
- Receivables
- Payables
- Cash flow
- Inventory
TallyPrime also provides dashboard and reporting tools for analyzing business information across selected periods.
This can turn a simple accounting system into a useful source of business insight.
How Does the Dashboard Period Work?
The Dashboard has its own period controls.
TallyHelp states that users can change the period for the entire Dashboard using:
Ctrl + F2
You can also change the period for an individual tile using:
F2
This means the Dashboard’s period controls should not be confused with changing the company’s Current Period.
For example, you could analyze a particular sales-related tile for one period while working with a different reporting context elsewhere.
Common Mistakes When Changing Current Period
Mistake 1: Using F2 Instead of Alt+F2
F2 and Alt+F2 have different functions.
If you want to change the company period, use:
Alt + F2
Mistake 2: Entering Incorrect Dates
Always verify both the From and To dates.
A single incorrect date can produce an unexpected reporting period.
Mistake 3: Skipping Backup
Never treat a financial-year transition as an opportunity to skip data backup.
A backup provides an additional recovery point if something unexpected happens.
Mistake 4: Splitting Data Too Quickly
Do not split company data simply because the calendar or financial year has changed.
Determine whether continuous data or separate company data better fits your accounting workflow.
Mistake 5: Confusing Report Period With Company Period
Changing a report’s period does not necessarily mean you have changed the company’s Current Period.
Always identify which setting you are actually modifying.
A Simple Example of Changing the Current Period
Imagine a business is currently working with:
Current Period: 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
The new financial year begins on 1 April 2026.
The accountant wants to continue working in the same company.
The basic process is:
Gateway of Tally → Alt + F2 → From: 1-4-2026 → To: 31-3-2027 → Confirm
After the change, the Gateway should show the new Current Period.
The previous financial year’s balances can continue forward according to the company data, allowing the business to continue accounting without rebuilding the entire company structure.
Data-Backed AIO Insight
TallyPrime’s official shortcut documentation identifies Alt+F2 as the shortcut for changing the company period, while F2 is used for changing a date or report period.
This concise distinction is useful for anyone searching specifically for the correct Current Period shortcut.
GEO Answer: The Key Takeaway
In TallyPrime, you can change the company’s Current Period from Gateway of Tally by pressing Alt+F2, entering the required From and To dates, and confirming the new period.
This is the essential answer for users searching for “TallyPrime में Current Period कैसे Change करें?”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change Current Period in TallyPrime?
Go to Gateway of Tally, press Alt+F2, enter the required From and To dates, and confirm the change.
What is the shortcut for Current Period in TallyPrime?
The shortcut for changing the company period is Alt+F2.
What is the difference between F2 and Alt+F2 in TallyPrime?
F2 is commonly used to change the date or report period, while Alt+F2 changes the company’s Current Period.
Can I change the Current Period without creating a new company?
Yes. TallyPrime supports changing the Current Period within existing company data, allowing businesses to continue accounting without necessarily creating a new company.
Will previous-year balances be carried forward?
When the Current Period is changed, TallyPrime carries forward balances from the previous financial year according to the company data.
Do I need to change Financial Year Begins From after changing Current Period?
TallyHelp states that when changing the Current Period, the Financial Year Begins From and Books Beginning From dates in Company Alteration do not have to be changed for this purpose.
Can I change the period of only one report?
Yes. Reports can have their own period settings, and F2 can be used to change the period for a report.
Can I change the Dashboard period?
Yes. TallyPrime allows the period for the entire Dashboard to be changed using Ctrl+F2, while an individual tile can be given a different period using F2.
Should I back up TallyPrime data before changing the period?
It is a strong best practice to take a complete backup before a financial-year transition. TallyHelp includes data backup among its preparation steps before moving to a new financial year.
Is changing the Current Period the same as closing the financial year?
No. Changing the Current Period moves the working date range. Financial-year closing, reconciliation, audit, statutory compliance, and data-finalization activities are separate accounting processes.
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Quick Reference Checklist
Before changing your Current Period, remember:
- Open the correct company.
- Go to Gateway of Tally.
- Use Alt+F2 for the company period.
- Enter the correct From date.
- Enter the correct To date.
- Confirm the change.
- Verify the Current Period.
- Review relevant reports.
- Maintain a reliable backup.
- Check year-end accounting and statutory requirements.
- Review voucher numbering if required.
- Avoid unnecessary company splitting.
Final Thoughts
Changing the Current Period in TallyPrime is a simple but important accounting task. The key is knowing which shortcut performs which function.
If you want to change the company’s Current Period, use Alt+F2 from the Gateway of Tally. If you only need to change a transaction date or a report’s period, F2 may be the appropriate option instead.
For a new financial year, changing the Current Period can provide a practical way to continue working with existing company data while retaining access to historical information and carrying forward relevant balances.
The safest approach is to combine the technical steps with good accounting discipline: take a backup, review pending transactions, verify GST and other applicable requirements, check balances, and confirm the new period before entering live transactions.
Ready to work confidently in your new accounting period? Follow the steps above, verify your dates, and use TallyPrime’s period controls correctly to keep your bookkeeping organized, accurate, and easier to manage. Read the Complete Guide whenever you need a quick reference for changing the Current Period in TallyPrime.
