Moneydance 2012 backup files
This discussion is public.
James B Reed
I Just installed Moneydance 2012 and to my shock, I see that the File Save option has been removed. With previous versions of Moneydance, I have always backed up extra copies of my Moneydance backup files to external storage storage. Therefore, the File Save feature is critical to me. I am somewhat paranoid about being to control my backups because in the past, when the Windows systems failed and could not recovered, programs had to reinstalled and critical files were lost. Has the File /Save feature been permanentlly removed from Moneydance 2012? If so, is it possible to uninstall Moneydance 2012 and reinstall Moneydance 2011 without major problems?
Thanks
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1
-Kevin N.
on 04 Mar, 2013 08:28 PM
Hi James,
Save and Save As are still doable in MD 2012.
Save can be manually done albeit only through the use of the standard key-combo. CTRL-S. For Macs, I believe it's CMD-S.
Save As can be done by incorporating the Archive feature. File > Archive.
In the resulting form, enter a date that occurs after the current date.
Check-mark 'Keep reminders in archive'.
DO NOT check-mark 'Remove archived transactions from current file'.
Click OK.
Wait for the archive to be created.
The archive will be created in Moneydance's default location for data files.
To locate Moneydance's default location for data files, from the Menu bar go to Help > Show Documents Folder.
To open the new archive, from the Menu bar, Go to File > Open.
The new file format of MD 2012 is more akin to a folder. The data file itself is the root.mdinternal file within the data set folder.
The backups or checkpoints as they are now referred to reside in the checkpt folder.
It is recommended that the user backup the entire data set folder using either the OS's or a third party backup program.
Personally, I set Moneydance to create 7 checkpoint files, then I run backup once a week.
Here is a link to instructions to revert back to MD 2011 if you decide to do so:
http://help.infinitekind.com/discussions/questions/5521-access-on-h...
HTH -Kevin N.
2
Dean P
on 05 Mar, 2013 04:42 AM
I agree with James. Losing the "save" and "save as" functions may be an update to to Moneydance but their loss is not an improvement, it is an inconvenience.
I can export to my backup or go to the C:\Users\User\Documents\Moneydance file and copy the moneydance-current.md-2013-03-xx and paste it into my backup but that is not cool.
Please give us back our "save" and "save as" functions.
3
-Kevin N.
on 05 Mar, 2013 03:21 PM
Hi Dean,
I outlined in Post # 2 how to Save and Save As in MD 2012.
'Save' is a simple key-combo. 'Save As' is a little more convoluted but it's really not that difficult. It would be better if the archive could be saved to a user-defined location during the archive process.
-Kevin N.
4
catestephens
on 06 Mar, 2013 03:47 AM
Kevin,
I have updated to 2012.5. I would like you to explain in non-tech terms exactly how (step by step) you "create 7 checkpoint files" so that I too can back them up externally. I am on a Mac with OSX 10.8.2. Please do not assume anything about my technical skills as they are not very sophisticated. I would ideally like to have these files backup via my Mozy account but I can not locate the ".moneydance" file in the Mozy preference window. I look forward being able to backup my files.
5
dwg
on 06 Mar, 2013 04:19 AM
You set up under the menu option File| Preferences|Backup how many copies you wish to create. I have mine set for 8 copies.
I'm a Windows user so my methodology will be a little different, but I'm sure the principles are the same.
I have 5 USB keys labelled Monday - Friday. I generally keep these under lock and key at work but each night I take the one marked for that day home. I have a simple batch file that copies the whole moneydance data tree to the USB key, so I get the current file plus all checkpoint files saved to the key (Plus I do other files as well). If I do anything on the weekends that gets copied initially to the Friday key, but you can see that by having multiple checkpoint files the data gradually gets on the other keys as well. The batch file I have on my desktop suitably labelled.
Thus I have a number of backups on various keys and they are generally housed offsite.
In my case I'm not concerned about backing up the Operating system and applications just the data, the rest can be rebuilt. As I have access to more than one machine I can fairly easily move to another machine if I have a failure and restore the data there.
Des
6
Steven Mausert
on 06 Mar, 2013 01:57 PM
I agree with James that the elimination of the backup feature is really a very bad idea. I back up my files to a separate storage disk and this whole idea of having to manually attempt that after every update is pretty much a backward move.
7
Ben Spencer
on 06 Mar, 2013 07:23 PM
The developers at Moneydance currently believe that it is outside the scope of personal finance software to perform file system backups. Most modern operating system now come with this functionality built in (OSX comes with Time machine and Windows 7 comes with a "Backup and Restore" feature). These are pieces of software dedicated to the function of backup and will do a much better job of it than the rudimentary function that was included in earlier versions of Moneydance.
I do understand that it is frustrating to change software versions and to lose something that you were using. I am sorry that Moneydance is not providing this function for you and I encourage you to use a backup solution that is more comprehensive for your important data.
Sincerely
Ben Spencer
Moneydance Support
8
Dean P
on 06 Mar, 2013 07:45 PM
I don't expect my personal finance software to perform file system backups. I do expect my personal finance software to be able to easily save a copy of my personal finances wherever I choose. This was once a simple function in previous iterations of Moneydance and it seems that if enough of us regular users request the return of "Save as" the programers at Moneydance will reconsider and include this capability in subsequent iterations.
Respectfully
Dean - a longtime user
9
Steven Mausert
on 06 Mar, 2013 08:20 PM
I would have to agree with Dean. We are talking years of extremely important data and the ability to save it where I need to should be part of a PFS package. I keep copies on several disks. Have used MD a long time and was extremely surprised to see this feature removed without warning. Its not a matter of a system backup but my financial records both current and history being easily stored as needed.
10
Allan Anderson
on 06 Mar, 2013 08:42 PM
I agree with all the previous posts and on a brighter note; KDE has developed a Windows version of KMYMONEY; Absolutely FREE and can change colors, font sizes and I am going to write the $40 I paid for MD and import my files to that program; CYA MoneyDance
11
Ben Spencer
on 06 Mar, 2013 08:49 PM
If you want to make a manual backup of your Moneydance data you can do this at any time by selecting File->Archive and make sure the date is greater than the newest transaction in your file.
If you would like to move your Moneydance data file to some location other than the default location you can do so by following these instructions. http://help.infinitekind.com/kb/moneydance-2012/how-to-move-your-da...
I am sorry if that does not meet your needs.
Sincerely
Ben Spencer
Moneydance Support
12
pj310
on 06 Mar, 2013 08:58 PM
When I discovered the missing save functions, I started duplicating my last session, renaming with the current date, and then proceeding with the newly named file. Am I setting myself up for disaster?
13
Ben Spencer
on 06 Mar, 2013 09:04 PM
I don't see a problem with the strategy you are taking.
Moneydance does still have a backup feature that will keep checkpoint for the last n days within the Moneydance bundle. You can configure this under Preferences->Backup.
14
mauryb101
on 07 Mar, 2013 06:51 PM
"Moneydance does still have a backup feature that will keep checkpoint for the last n days "
I had a crash and vanish of my md files today so I went looking in my data file via Library/Containers/com.infinitekind.MoneydanceOSX and could not find the document or backup with my other documents. My backup setting in pref was 5 so it should exist. How do I restore this?
I also looked at HElp> show document file and only the other files I set up show but not my test.
Mac v10.7.5, MD v2012.5 (862)
15
Jon Hoover
on 07 Mar, 2013 07:09 PM
Hi,
Please try doing a search for '.moneydance'
Moneydance's default location for files is where you looked but if you moved the file or upon converting your file to 2012 chose 'convert' instead of 'convert and import' then the file will be somewhere else.
If you upgraded from Moneydance 2011 (or earlier) and chose just 'convert' then your .moneydance file will be where you kept your 2011 .md file.
Please let me know if this helps or not.
Sincerely,
Jon Hoover, Moneydance Support
16
mauryb101
on 07 Mar, 2013 07:36 PM
Jon, I searched for '.moneydance' and missing account did not appear. The account was called something like "test" so I did a search for test and nothing open in the last 30 days with test in the name. There was an err log.text file from when I went to open another file which shows the file "test" had been opened. I will attach it.
I am a new user testing the system. The file was new when I opened it a few days ago and only has about 35 transactions on it. I had not touched the file or moved it, did not even go looking for it until after the problem. I did not convert an old file.
17
Jon Hoover
on 07 Mar, 2013 08:24 PM
Hi,
Thanks for clarifying, it is helpful.
Would you be willing to send a screenshot of what you do see in the view that comes up under Help-> Show Documents?
Sincerely,
Jon Hoover, Moneydance Support
18
mauryb101
on 07 Mar, 2013 08:51 PM
Here is the screen shot for show documents.
19
Jon Hoover
on 08 Mar, 2013 08:28 PM
Hi,
Well, I am a little stumped on that. What if you do a search for 'test acct'?
Sincerely,
Jon Hoover, Moneydance Support
20
wykesjc
on 09 Mar, 2013 08:09 PM
I totally agree with those people who are complaining about the loss of the 'save' function.
I also think that the fact that the data is now saved 'as you go' is a distinct disimprovement.
In the past, if you made a mess of your data input, you could just close the program without saving, and you got back to correct data. Now if you mess up your data input you are in trouble.
You cannot easily create a backup file before you start. Ok, I haven't tried the 'archive' function but why on earth can you not just do a simple save?
Again, in the old version, I would do a 'save' each time I completed entering and reconciling a new statement, so that if the next one went wrong, I could go back one step.
.I always made sure I had a copy of the data before embarking on a new data entry, so that if I made a mess of this, I could immediately go back to the old one.
I do have checkpoints but no idea how to access these in the Moneydance program. If it given in the user manual, I haven't been able to find it.
Like Allan Anderson, I will be looking for a better money software program
21
dwg
on 09 Mar, 2013 08:49 PM
The operation of Moneydance in the save area is now more like Quicken i.e. save as you go.You will no doubt get some people who like this approach and others that do not. I see a couple of fundamental differences. Quicken has a "save as" type function, so you could potentially save a copy of your current position they called it a backup, I personally prefer to think of it as a copy, and they have a restore function. MD could potentially have a restore function that would display your checkpoint files and allow one to be restored.
Yes I see issues if latter down the track MD allows for scanning and storing of things like receipts, since you could end up with orphans with this approach, A "Save as" capability solves this as it saves the complete tree. While I commend those that worked out how to use "Archive" to do this that is really a convoluted approach that no user should have to make use of, the software should be able to do it for you.
Des
22
wykesjc
on 09 Mar, 2013 09:02 PM
Yes, DWG, I agree.
I moved from Microsoft Money (which also saves 'on the go') and I much prefer the old MD where you only saved when you were sure that was what you want. It was straightforward to save as you go, and revert to a previous version if things went wrong.
And why isn't there a simple way of changing where your files are saved? I tried to follow the instructions given, and gave up as I fett I was in danger of losing everything.
Alas, progress isn't always progress!
I suppose I could revert to MD 2011 but who knows what cans of worms that would open.
I haven't been able to figure out how to get at the checkpoint files
23
dwg
on 09 Mar, 2013 09:31 PM
At least on a Windows system the checkpoint files are not hard to get at they are in a subdirectory of their own, however to use one you have to copy it to the right location and rename it, The designers made it so that these files are not really readily usable by the end user as the intention was that they effectively be files that MD uses if it has problems internally.
I do not think the designers have thought through what users may want or need to do in this space. The standard answer of performing external backups is not a total solution, there needs to be more flexibility in the software to allow for some of these situations. If I'm going to do something that could be a little risky, or I am not sure of the outcome I like to do a save as first so I can return to a known good position if it goes wrong, I do not want to have to go to my external backups to do a recovery in such a situation.
Des
On a related answer I've seen, just having save on exit and then do a kill of the application if you make mistakes and do not want to save the data, is NOT a solution in my view. I have never seen any software house recommend force killing an application to prevent something like a save happening, I would suggest that is a bad practice to encourage.
Des
24
mauryb101
on 12 Mar, 2013 12:14 AM
Jon, I searched but it does not come up.
25
Jim
on 01 Apr, 2013 02:45 AM
As a long time user of MD, I am seriously disappointed in the removal of the backup and the Save As features. It is not just the loss of features that I used regularly (and without these features it is challenging for my wife and I to share the file using different computers and not put our personal finances in the cloud), but it has never been a good idea to store your backups (checkpoints) with your main data. If your hard drive fails before your backup cycle, you are simply out of luck. No main file, no checkpoints, no anything. While it is completely acceptable to change file formats and even add features, to make such a fundamental change without consideration for the users of the product is making me reconsider other finance packages. BRING BACK THE STANDARD BACKUP FEATURE!!!!
26
jdover
on 02 Apr, 2013 09:12 AM
I have made an archive but a) where is it saved and b) what is the filename?
27
-Kevin N.
on 02 Apr, 2013 12:40 PM
Hi jdover,
a) Moneydance 2012 creates archives in the default location for data sets.
http://help.infinitekind.com/kb/frequently-asked-questions-2/moneyd...
The easiest way to access the default location is to do so from within Moneydance.
Menu bar > Help > Show Documents Folder
b) The archive will be named using the following format
yourdatasetname Archive archivedate.moneydance
HTH -Kevin N.
28
jdover
on 02 Apr, 2013 01:24 PM
Thanks, very easy. Should be findable in the help file search facility though.
regds…..john
29
Steve Primost
on 19 Apr, 2013 09:15 PM
I totally agree with the conversation. I want my save function again, so that I can (1) checkpoint to a valid copy after doing something that may or may not work (such as make a mistake of a file to import historical prices), and (2) paranoid non-trust of any computer (why do we ask word users to periodically save their work?)
Discussion on MACs and Windows is fine, but how about us Linux users? Is there a key combination for that, now that you did not make it simple with a menu box?
So you copy the folder instead of the file as a backup (a trivial cron job in LINUX), but then how do you tell MD to use thecopied directory instead of defualting to the last one?
30
Jon Hoover
on 20 Apr, 2013 12:50 PM
Hi Steve,
All the functionality for Windows and OSX are similar for Linux but I am a little unclear about a few points of your question.
" Is there a key combination for that, now that you did not make it simple with a menu box?" - Are you referring to a manually initiated file save? If so its ctrl-s.
"So you copy the folder instead of the file as a backup (a trivial cron job in LINUX), but then how do you tell MD to use thecopied directory instead of defualting to the last one?" -You would use File -> Open Other. But this would be an infrequent task since you would only need to do it for restoring a back up. Sincerely,
Jon Hoover, Moneydance Support