Important Notice Regarding ProEst Desktop EOL: FAQ 

Q. What is happening? 

On March 25, 2026, Autodesk publicly announced the End-of-Life (EOL) timeline for ProEst Desktop. The target date for this discontinuation is December 31, 2026

Q. Why is Autodesk making this change? 

As part of Autodesk’s continued investment in connected preconstruction and construction workflows, we are announcing the upcoming End-of-Life (EOL) of ProEst Desktop and the transition to our cloud-based estimating experience. As a result, Autodesk has made the decision to discontinue ProEst Desktop on December 31, 2026

Retiring ProEst Desktop allows us to: 

  • Focus investment on modern, scalable, cloud-based estimating workflows 
  • Provide better cross-team collaboration and realtime access to data 
  • Deliver more frequent updates without customer-side installation 
  • Promote long term security and standards that exceed what the desktop architecture can provide. 

Q. When does this change take effect? 

You will retain access to ProEst Desktop until either the end of your current subscription term or December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. After this date, the product can no longer be accessed as desktop authentication will be turned off.  

Q. Will I still have access to ProEst Desktop? 

Existing customers with ProEst Desktop subscription will continue to have access until December 31, 2026. After this date, customers will no longer be able to access the solution.   

Q. Will there be a replacement for the ProEst Desktop functionality? 

Yes. Customers can transition to ProEst Cloud, our cloud-based estimating solution. It delivers comprehensive estimating workflows while offering improved access, collaboration, and performance.  

You may also choose to move to our new cloud‑based estimating solution, Forma Estimate. This connected preconstruction experience allows you to link both 2D and 3D quantities from Forma Takeoff directly into your estimates. 

Q. What does this mean for my current ProEst Desktop projects? 

Your existing project files will remain stored on your computer; however, after ProEst Desktop reaches its end‑of‑life date, those files will no longer be accessible through the ProEst Desktop application. Because the application will no longer authenticate, you won’t be able to open, edit, or work with those project files in the Desktop environment. 

We strongly recommend transitioning active projects into the cloud-based environment of ProEst to continue estimating activities, with the understanding that not all project data will carry over. 

Q. Will I be able to maintain ProEst Desktop access when I renew my subscription? 

No. ProEst Desktop is not available for renewal.  

Q. What migration or transition paths are available? 

We offer flexible transition options depending on how your team works today: 

  • Move to ProEst Cloud (recommended) – If you do not have an active subscription to ProEst Cloud, it is included in the Forma for Preconstruction bundle and offers a cloud-based, and collaborative estimating experience with no desktop installs or manual updates. 
  • You can also choose to migrate to our new cloud-based estimating solution, Forma Estimate – This connected preconstruction experience lets you connect both 2D and 3D quantities from Forma Takeoff to your estimates, supporting faster, more accurate estimating with connected data. These solutions are included in the Forma for Preconstruction bundle subscription. 

Your Autodesk account team can help you evaluate which option best aligns with your workflows, timelines, and technology goals. 

Q. Why should I subscribe to Forma for Preconstruction bundle? 

The Forma for Preconstruction bundle gives you access to a connected preconstruction ecosystem, more than just a replacement for ProEst Desktop. 

In addition to modern cloud-based estimating, you also gain: 

  • 2D + 3D takeoff capabilities with Forma Takeoff 
  • Bid management workflows from BuildingConnected Pro that help streamline how you invite, track, and evaluate subcontractors. 
  • Access to a large Builder’s Network, helping you reach more partners and compete more effectively 
  • Qualification and risk management tools that help you evaluate subcontractors with confidence 
  • Integrated preconstruction workflows that help reduce duplicate data entry and keep everyone aligned 
  • Continuous improvements and innovation with no manual upgrades  

Together, this bundle delivers stronger, more connected workflows across estimating, takeoff, bidding, and qualifications helping your team improve accuracy, collaboration, and competitiveness on every project. 

Q. Is ProEst Cloud impacted by this change? 

No, this update only applies to ProEst Desktop. ProEst Cloud will continue to be supported and is included in the Forma for Preconstruction bundle alongside powerful capabilities like bidding, qualification, and integrated 2D/3D takeoff. Customers purchasing subscription to the bundle gain access to cloud-based preconstruction tools. Subscription to the Forma for Preconstruction bundle includes access to ProEst (cloud), Forma Data Management, Forma Takeoff, Forma Estimate, BuildingConnected Pro, Bid Board Pro, and TradeTapp. 

Q. What steps do I need to take to migrate my data from ProEst Desktop to ProEst Cloud? 

To begin the migration, please contact your account team. We will work directly with you to obtain a backup of your ProEst Desktop database so we can help with the data migration process. Please keep in mind that not all data will be able to migrate over. 

Q. Can I transition my cost database from ProEst Desktop to ProEst Cloud? 

Yes. Your cost database can be migrated from ProEst Desktop to ProEst Cloud. However, it’s important to know that not every field or cost type in your Desktop cost database is supported in the Cloud environment.  

Because of these differences, some data may not appear in the Cloud version at all, and other fields may look different or require manual cleanup after migration. For more detail on what does and does not migrate, please review the next question. 

Q. What data will migrate to ProEst Cloud, and what will not migrate over to ProEst Cloud? 

Data that will migrate over: 

  • Estimates, including line items 
  • Quantities generated from your takeoff measurements 
  • Formulas will migrate over, using the Variable Name, but it will not bring over the Variable Descriptions.  

Data that will not migrate over: 

  • Takeoffs (drawings and measured markups) 
  • Formula variable descriptions 
  • Custom Cost Types 
  • Only Material, Labor, Equipment, Subcontractor, and Other are supported 
  • Custom cost types will be dropped, which may impact estimate totals 
  • Cost Table categories 
  • Only Labor, Equipment, and Crews will migrate over; Material, Subcontractor, and other categories will not migrate, which may impact estimate totals 
  • Custom cost types in the Cost Table will not migrate, which may impact estimate totals 
  • Reports (standard or custom) 
  • Standard reports will not migrate, but keep in mind that most standard reports have been recreated in ProEst Cloud 
  • Custom reports will not migrate 

Q: If I decide to transition from ProEst Desktop to Forma Estimate, what data will and will not migrate over? 

Although most data can be safely extracted from your ProEst Desktop, so you can archive it in Excel file or PDF formats depending on the extraction, not all data can migrate into Forma Estimate as structured, usable project data. 

Data that will migrate over: 

  • Cost database – Forma Estimate does support importing line items cost data via Excel. When importing a ProEst Desktop cost library into Estimate, only the following cost types are supported: Material, Labor, Equipment, Subcontractor, and Other. Any additional custom cost types from ProEst Desktop will not transfer over. 
  • Classification systems can also be migrated over. 

Data that will not migrate over: 

  • Takeoffs (drawings and measured markups) 
  • Estimates, including line items 
  • Quantities generated from your takeoff measurements 
  • Formula variables 
  • Reports 

Q. Will I lose access to past data or project history? 

Past data and project history will need to be exported from ProEst Desktop and imported into ProEst Cloud or other solutions based on your transition path.  

Q. How will I access replacement functionality? 

ProEst Desktop customers are encouraged to move current project estimates to ProEst Cloud or Forma Estimate which is included in Forma for Preconstruction bundle subscriptions. 

Q. Are there any workflows in ProEst Desktop that I will lose if I migrate to ProEst Cloud? 

Most of your core estimating workflows are fully supported in ProEst Cloud. However, a few Desktop‑only functions work differently or are not available in the cloud environment. For example, custom cost types are not supported, and custom reports do not carry over. We’ll work with you to understand your current processes, so you have an understanding of how they map to the cloud experience. 

Q. Will my pricing or contract change as part of this transition? 

Not automatically. During the transition, your account team will work with you to help identify if you have the subscription that best supports your workflows and future needs. If moving to ProEst Cloud or the Preconstruction Bundle requires a different subscription type, your account team will review all available options with you, including any changes to pricing or contract terms, so you understand the impact before making a decision. 

Q. Who can I contact for help or support during the transition? 

Please reach out to your account team and they can help you put a plan in place for the transition. 

Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, ProEst, BuildingConnected, and TradeTapp  are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. 

© [2026] Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Autodesk