Switching from Microsoft Money to Moneydance
I am a UK resident and have for many years been monitoring my finances on Microsoft Money. However it only runs on Windows and I am now on Mac. Although I have maintained a virtual PC on my Mac it is time I shifted to a Mac-based package.
I have a very large number of transactions on Money that I would hope to be able to switch across to whatever package I select.
Would Moneydance do this? And am I right that it would accommodate the same ability to track progress of my investments (shares, ISAs, savings accounts, premium bonds, etc) as Money has done?
NB I am not necessarily needing the software to pick up these details automatically. I have been used to entering them myself.
My fingers are crossed that all this is possible. Chris
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31 Posted by derekkent23 on 22 Nov, 2024 10:02 AM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Chris.
As I explained in my post Auto Backup, when set up, only makes a backup when you close Moneydance.
But you can do a Manual Moneydance backup at any time Moneydance is open. Several if you need to. Each will have a different date stamp. So you can select which one to restore or restore more than one.
To switch between your original Data Set and restored Data Set backups use FILE - OPEN and select from the list.
That what you should be if to are attempting something you are not sure off.
Don’t rely on Time Machine alone.
Hope this helps.
32 Posted by C J Hairs on 22 Nov, 2024 02:37 PM
Hi again Derek
Your comments are indeed helpful.
But I have yet to get from you, or from dtd or any other of the support staff, any suggestion as to the possibility of restoring some of my (fairly considerable amount of) work after the point at which I have a backup data file. The only way that I can think this might be done is via Time Machine. I do accept that I should not rely on Time Machine alone, but in my particular situation I don’t think there is any other option
And of course maybe it is not possible at all.
I think I have to now get back on repeating my work of correcting my imported Premium Bond data (after additionally ensuring that backups get taken every so often!). I am going to start on this almost immediately. But if you or another of the support staff have any suggestion as to how I might try the Time Machine route I would be happy to hear about it.
Very best wishes - Chris
33 Posted by derekkent23 on 22 Nov, 2024 03:31 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Chris.
I am not a Mac user, I run Moneydance on Windows and Linux computers.
So I cant help you with Mac’s Time Machine.
As I say I use both Moneydance’s Manual and Automatic backups saved to a free Dropbox account, sorry.
34 Posted by C J Hairs on 22 Nov, 2024 03:43 PM
Many thanks Derek. No problem. I have started adjusting my Premium Bond records one-by-one, and am feeling calmer now. It’s all a learning curve!!
I believe/hope I have now instructed Moneydance to save backups every time I close the program, which I have done several times. When I have reopened the program it has woken up with the latest data which is good. I have to say that I have not as yet found where these backups are being stored. I have tried File-Open but I have not seen any file with today’s date. I’ll keep looking.
Best wishes - Chris
Support Staff 35 Posted by Maddy on 22 Nov, 2024 03:47 PM
Moneydance creates an automatic backup file each time you close your file, until the set number exist, then each file will be updated in turn.
When these files are stored in the default location, they're accessible from Moneydance via Help --> Show Backup Folder.
In order to amend the backup file settings, you can choose Moneydance --> Preferences, then select the 'Backups' tab, as outlined in this article of the Knowledge Base.
From this window, you can amend the backup location, and choose the maximum number of backups to be stored.
It is possible to amend the backup location, to ensure the automatic backup files are sent elsewhere.
For example, one could choose an external drive, or a shared folder location like Dropbox, iCloud etc. This will make your data accessible from another system, even if you were to encounter complete computer failure, for instance.
You can also create manual backup files whenever you require, and store these files to a location of you choice. To create a manual backup file, you should choose File --> Export Backup. This will create a .moneydancearchive backup file - the same format as the auto backup files.
To open any data file you might have created you can simply navigate to File->Open and choose the file you like.
The files with a - .moneydancearchive file extension (your backups) can be restored into Moneydance by double clicking them.
Alternatively, choose File --> Restore from Backup (or 'Import New Account Set' from the Welcome window). Then navigate to and select the backup file.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or need more assistance.
--
Maddy, Infinite Kind Support
36 Posted by derekkent23 on 22 Nov, 2024 06:19 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Chris.
Reread my post on backups at https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/switching-from-anoth...
And the helpful post by Maddy at https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/switching-from-anoth...
As stated in my post Moneydance backup location can be found under HELP – SHOW BACKUP FOLDER. Note: my post at one point referred to HELP – SHOW ARCHIVE FOLDER, the wording some builds back was change from ARCHIVE to BACKUP.
You state “I have to say that I have not as yet found where these backups are being stored. I have tried File-Open but I have not seen any file with today’s date. I’ll keep looking.”
I think the following point is the point you are not yet understanding. When you use FILE – OPEN it lists Data Sets not Backups. A Backup only becomes a Data Set when you do a FILE – RESTORE FROM BACKUP.
If you use more than one Backup location and lose track of where they are you can use the Toolbox Extension. EXTENSIONS – MANAGE EXTENSIONS – TOOLBOX – INSTALL. Then run Toolbox from EXTENSIONS. Then select FIND MY DATASET(S) AND BACKUPS and follow the on screen instructions for BACKUPS.
Hope this helps.