Hello all, this week i'd like to discuss the error 'a required data file is missing' that a user may be presented with when opening a file or a backup in Simply Accounting.
The first thing to check is that the data file set is located in a place that the user has full windows rights/permissions to access. If in doubt, try copying the 'companyname.sai' file and matching 'companyname.saj' folder to the desktop and try opening from there. If there is an 'access rights' error when attempting to copy/move, or if the file then opens fine from the desktop, then windows rights or a lack thereof may be the issue. On any Vista or Windows 7 machine, be sure that your company data file set is not being stored in the C:Program Files area as the 'program files' area is now strictly controlled and protected and these built-in protections may be preventing proper access of the data file. The two parts of the file must also match exactly in name, apart from the extension. For example if a user is changing the .sai file name to include '2011', then the .saj folder name must have an identical name change applied. The names must match in order for the file set to properly communicate and open.
As discussed in a recent blog, the data-set used by Simply now includes a .saj folder and has for several years. This folder is not for the user to store any information in or to backup to, although backing up to the folder is possible it creates problems with the database. The most common problem is a backup file multiple times the normal size and great delays in backing up as any previous backups stored in the .saj folder are then included in the new backup as well. In this scenario, restoring the backup may then restore a normal data file set nested within a series of .saj folders and this complicated set of folders/structure may interfere with the programs ability to read an otherwise normal data file. Our Knowledgebase article 24351 on the topic of 'When you try to open your file and simply returns an error message "A required data file is missing" can be viewed here for detailed steps on correcting this problem.
Essentially in order to correct, the restored data set must be retrieved from the last layer of .saj folder storage and placed into a new, clean folder outside of this structure. The easiest way to do so is to copy both the 'companyname.sai' file and 'companyname.saj' folder into a newly created folder on the C: drive. This should allow the program full access to the data set as it will no longer be encumbered by windows protections or the complicated .saj folder structure that was a by-product of the incorrect backup procedure. It would also be worthwhile to check the backup location to be sure that it does not include the .saj folder as part of the location of files backed-up. Previous blog post of 'Explanation of file types' includes more information on this topic as well.
Remember that any particular issue can always be posted to our forum for more tailored help! Wishing the community a good and restful weekend,
Alec B.
