Quicken 2002, XG, 2004

How do I repair more advanced damage to my Quicken data file?

Background: Before following the advanced data damage repair steps and solutions outlined in this document, please try the basic steps for correcting data file damage.

Solution: Specific data file damage --where damage is limited to a single transaction or report-- can sometimes be identified, isolated, and corrected. Frequently, exporting all of your data to a new file is not an acceptable solution due to the loss of information after the export. The alternative techniques listed below may be useful in such cases.

Use Quicken Copy to Isolate Data Corruption

Try using Quicken's Copy feature to copy the entire file. However, when the damage is present in transactions (rather than in the category/transfer/class lists, memorized transactions, and so forth), it can be identified and isolated by copying specific parts of the file.

In the damaged file, make a copy specifying the origin date of the file as one month prior to today. The copy will contain all but last month's transactions.

If there is no corruption found in the copy, then the damage is limited to last month's transactions; you will need to reenter them in the copy.

If the copied file is still damaged, repeat the copy procedure removing one month at a time until the damaged area is identified.

Exporting an Individual Account to Isolate Data Corruption

If the damage is limited to a single account, the damage can sometimes be corrected by exporting the account transactions to a QIF file. The QIF file is then imported into a new account in the original Quicken file. This procedure is most effective when the damage is confined to transactions within a specific account or accounts, and will not help if the damage is in lists.

Reentering Limited Information in the Quicken File

If the damaged information is showing in a budget, report, or Quicken Planner, try reentering the information or creating the report or budget again. In many cases this will resolve the issue and the damaged memorized report or budget can be deleted from the file.

Exporting All Transactions to a New File

In some rare circumstances or as a last resort when other methods fail, it may be necessary to export the data from your original file and import it into a new file. Because of the loss of information that can occur in this process, it is only recommended if all other troubleshooting avenues have been exhausted. Intuit also offers data recovery services for damaged files. Please call Technical Support for more information on data recovery services.