When downloading a Kindle book on my PC, a Moneydance data file appears within the Kindle book folder
I am using an app called Kindle for PC to download Kindle books to my PC.
When I opened the file, an old MD data file appears within the book's folder. If I click on it, it wants to open in Moneydance. I downloaded about 20 books, and a different MD file popped up every single time.
Why is this happening? Thanks.
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1 Posted by -Kevin N. on 14 Aug, 2024 03:25 PM
Hi pypeke,
It is likely that the file in question has a .md file extension which would need to be re-associated back to its default application. Look to your OS's Help for instructions on how to do so or just Google it.
The file association was likely changed during the installation routine for Moneydance. At a certain point during the installation, you are asked to associate certain file type extensions to Moneydance, here is where you should uncheck the option for .md files.
Going forward, if you upgrade your version of Moneydance, make sure to keep an eye out for this setting during the installation routine and take the appropriate action.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
2 Posted by sth on 14 Aug, 2024 03:46 PM
Possibly the .md extension was listed as a "Markdown" text associated with kindle reading app. Later versions of Moneydance use the .moneydance extension to avoid this confusion.
I note that the Moneydance file is listed as "old moneydance" in the file type. If you are using a recent version of moneydance then you should take all the old files and compress them into an archive. Or delete them. That may help.
(NOT IK Support)
3 Posted by pypeke on 15 Aug, 2024 03:49 AM
Thanks to both of you.
How do I compress them into an archive? I don't want to delete them because I sometimes need to look something up. I changed to a simpler way to do things the last time I updated MD. I stopped using the "Old one" Dec 2021. But I do need to keep it.
4 Posted by dwg on 15 Aug, 2024 04:12 AM
One approach you could take with the older Moneydance files (.md extension) is to use Moneydance to upgrade the files to the latest format which will create an upgraded account set with the .moneydance file extension and then delete the older .md files
5 Posted by pypeke on 15 Aug, 2024 03:40 PM
I cannot delete them because I need them. I simplified my account categories for years 2022-2024, but I need the old files for when we sell our home or when I need to look for a warranty date.
I am using 2024.1. I started with 2022 to current date.
My question was...
Why is MD appearing in a folder with a Kindle book?
If I delete it from the 400 plus Kindle books I downloaded, will it only delete those files in the book folders?
I still need to keep my old original files through Dec 2021. Thanks.
6 Posted by sth on 15 Aug, 2024 04:04 PM
No one has suggested deleting the files. It is still unclear if these "old" (ie pre dec 2021) files were created using a pre 2022 version of moneydance? Please clarify.
There have been several suggestions based on the idea that the (dot)md files were mistakenly adopted as kindle files. If you have been using MD 2022 and newer then all these files should be (dot)moneydance files. Is this right? What is the extension of files that are showing up in the kindle?
They are showing up in the kindle because your Windows system has associated the file type (dot)moneydance as a kindle type file.
Change the file associations on your windows account so that (dot)money dance files are not associated with kindle.
Put all the old Moneydance files in a folder and compress it using zip so that the files all have a .zip extension.
Or, (just thought of this) open the files, then export them as a backup, this will have an extension of (dot)moneydancearchive and not show up in the kindle.
I do not know how kindle books manipulates files on a Windows system and if it is copying them or worse moving those files to some hidden part of the disk. Or if deleting them will delete the files. Again, open those files with moneydance 2024 and then export a backup.
7 Posted by -Kevin N. on 15 Aug, 2024 04:36 PM
Hi pypeke,
It would be my hunch that the file appearing with your Kindle books has nothing to do with Moneydance.
Much older versions of Moneydance used the .md file extension. We're talking in the 2000's.
Your Kindle books also apparently contain a file with a .md file extension.
As I explained in my earlier post, the reason that the .md files in with your Kindle books are showing up as Moneydance files is because during the Moneydance installation routine, you were asked to associate certain file extensions with Moneydance, the .md file extension being one of them.
What you need to do is to re-associate the .md file extension with its native program so that it is no longer associated with Moneydance.
Google reports that .md files are Markdown files which can be opened in a text editor. Therefore, you should try selecting Notepad.exe as the native program associated with .md files.
Again, look to your OS's Help documentation or Google 'How to change a file association'.
I quick and easy way that you may be able to do this is to hold down SHIFT and Right-Click on the .md file.
From the resulting context menu, select "Open with...".
In the resulting window, you may need to select the "More apps" link.
Select Notepad.exe from the list.
Tick the checkbox to "Always use this app to open .md files".
Again, whenever you upgrade Moneydance be sure to untick the option to associate .md files with Moneydance.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
8 Posted by sth on 15 Aug, 2024 04:42 PM
@pypeke, Kevin and I obviously have different ideas as to what is going on. It depends on when these "old" data files were created and with what version of Moneydance.
You have two classes of files. Files from 2022 through 2024 that you are using versions of Moneydance that are 2022 through 2024.
You have some old files that are pre-2022 (ie 2021 and earlier). What versions of money dance were you using? How old are these files? I have been assuming some of these files are quite old, perhaps not.
9 Posted by -Kevin N. on 15 Aug, 2024 04:54 PM
@sth,
The main reason for my assumption that these "Kindle' files have nothing to do with Moneydance is due to the name of the file.
No one would name their Moneydance file CR!QWJ7Q5F...
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
10 Posted by sth on 15 Aug, 2024 05:24 PM
"No one would name their Moneydance file CR!QWJ7Q5F..." Probably true, could be an internal MD file or attachment? However, it would really really help to know the extension by widening the columns or if that is really one of @pypeke's old Account Book file names.
It is also odd that it seems to be associated with a renamed app of "Moneydance Old" having two copies of Moneydance on a system is not recommended since it is never clear which version will open a given file.
Inquiring minds want to know..... :-)
11 Posted by -Kevin N. on 15 Aug, 2024 05:44 PM
@sth,
This is the window that selects file associations during the Moneydance installation routine in Windows.
All of the selections are ticked by default so if the user does not specifically untick the .md option, any existing .md files on their system will get associated to Moneydance Old Data.
-Kevin N. (not a member of Moneydance support)
12 Posted by sth on 15 Aug, 2024 08:29 PM
@Kevin, thanks. Being a Mac with just a drag installer, life is much easier....
13 Posted by -Kevin N. on 15 Aug, 2024 10:42 PM
@sth, I thought I remembered you as being a Mac guy. :)
-Kevin N.
14 Posted by sth on 16 Aug, 2024 01:37 AM
Nothing left to do, but :-) :-) :-)
(Mac guy, Deadhead, Scientist, that kind of thing)