Can't sync to second computer
Andrew Mullins
I've been using Moneydance for several years on a Win 10 Pro laptop and syncing to Android phone successfully via Dropbox Connection. I upgraded to version 2022.3 when syncing stopped due to the recent Dropbox changes and syncing is now working properly.
I now want to use Moneydance on a Win 11 laptop as well as the old PC so have installed the same 2022.3 version on the new one and have followed the instructions at https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/kb/syncing-and-sharing-data/syncing-with-other-computers. I have got as far as selecting a synced document to open, but the only one it offers me is one called Finances dated 6 June 2021. That doesn't correspond with anything in my Dropbox, and when I select it all that happens is that a new empty folder is created in .moneydancesync in Dropbox called, for example, 056c0a11-5b50-4f2d-acd4-b414228f8872.
What am I doing wrong please? I don't know if it's relevant, but my data filename is "Personal Finances 2".
Also, am I right in thinking that when the new computer syncs to Dropbox it will create a Documents Folder there as well to mirror the one on the original PC? That is important as the old laptop is getting old and unreliable and will probably die without warning. If not I should probably transfer the data to the new PC as the master and then sync the old one to it.
Thank you.
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1 Posted by derekkent23 on May 04, 2022 @ 08:10 AM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Andrew
I think it would be a good idea to make you new Windows 11 computer the master.
In the past it sounds like you have been using the sync method Dropbox Connection on your computer. If you haven’t installed Dropbox Client on both computers using the same Dropbox account do so now. You should then be able to see the same Dropbox folder on both computers using explorer.
You say you are running 2022.3 can you upgrade on both computers to 2022.4(4078) from https://infinitekind.com/preview its a preview build but fixes some issues in 2022.3
On your old computer do a FILE – EXPORT BACKUP to a known location in Dropbox.
On you new computer open Moneydance if it opens in an existing data set click FILE – RESTORE FROM BACKUP. If it opens in the Welcome window, click IMPORT NEW ACCOUNT SET.
In either case navigate to the backup file you created in Dropbox using the old computer and click OPEN. It’s a good idea to use a new data set name so in the window that opens type in a new data set name and ensure the box KEEP SYNC SETTINGS FROM ORIGINAL FILE is unticked. Click OK. Your data set with its new name should open on your new computer. Your Windows 11 computer is now your Primary computer.
On your phone in the Moneydance app click SETTINGS – DISCONNECT and close the app.
Dropbox Folder syncing method setup is as follows:
1. Open Moneydance on your Primary computer under FILE - SYNCING and select DROPBOX FOLDER as the Sync Method. Click OK and enter an ENCRYPTION PASSPHRASE then click OK.
2. Wait for Dropbox folder “.moneydancesync” and its contents to be created in your Dropbox folder. This can take some time. Watch the Dropbox icon and wait till it states, “Up to Date”. Wait until the same Dropbox folder appears on your second computer, again watch the Dropbox icon this time on your second computer and wait till it states, “Up to Date”. From now on normal syncing is fast, no need to wait or check.
3. On your Secondary computers starting Moneydance may open it in the welcome window, click on “Create a new account set”. Or if it opens into an existing data set click FILE - NEW
4. Select “Open Synced File” and use dropdown to select “Dropbox Folder” then click NEXT.
5. You should see a search screen headed “Finding synced files” then “Select a synced document to open”
6. Highlight the data set name, the name of the data set on your primary computer you won’t to sync with and click NEXT.
7. Enter the encryption password, the one you set on your primary computer under FILE – SYNCING. When entered correctly the FINISH button is ungreyed.
8. Then click on FINISH. You should see the message “Performing initial sync this may take a while”.
9. Wait to syncing is complete.
You may find a lot of old, maybe closed accounts or other accounts you have removed from the side bar reappearing in the second computers side bar, or some accounts may be missing. Use the “+” sign at bottom of side bar then ADVANCED to tidy up the side bar.
Mobile Devices/phones.
Don’t install Drobox client on your mobile device/phone unless it is for a reason unrelated to Moneydance.
The setup is as follows.
1. On your phone open the Moneydance app, after SEARCHING you should see a list of synced Data Sets. Click on the file you'd like to sync.
4. Enter the Encryption Password (“Encryption Passphrase”) that you used to sync on your computers. click BEGIN SYNCING.
5. It can take a long time to for the first sync to complete.
New set up complete.
Hope this helps.
2 Posted by derekkent23 on May 04, 2022 @ 08:42 AM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Andrew
I have made a small correction to step 1 for setting up syncing on computers. see https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/syncspace-app-suppor...
for edited version.
3 Posted by Andrew Mullins on May 04, 2022 @ 02:46 PM
Derek
Thank you for your very detailed reply to my request. I'll work through it and let you know how I get on.
Andrew
4 Posted by Andrew Mullins on May 04, 2022 @ 06:21 PM
I've carried out the instructions and everything is now syncing correctly on both laptops and my phone. Thank you again Derek.
5 Posted by derekkent23 on May 04, 2022 @ 07:18 PM
I am not support staff, just a user.
Hi Andrew
Instructions were a bit long but they got you there.
Have Fun, Stay Safe.
System closed this discussion on Aug 03, 2022 @ 07:20 PM.