A method and apparatus for converting a single instance computer application to a multiple instance application includes disabling the single instance application and linking the executable files associated with the single instance application to routines in a library that includes routines for use by a multiple instance application. Multiple instance metadata that represents the structure of the multiple instance application is automatically created based on metadata that represents the structure of the single instance application. The data from the single instance application is imported to complete the conversion to a multiple instance application.