Where has all my data gone??

jameseis

I downloaded version 12.15 of Express Invoice Lite after moving to a ‘new’ (refurbished) iMac, with OS Ventura, and finding my old version of Express Invoice no longer worked and had to be updated.
I then found ALL MY OLD DATA HAS DISAPPEARED!! All my old invoices, all my client data, everything! Many years of important data - GONE!
WHERE IS IT??
The helpline is only available to paying customers, so I’m basically screwed, unless somebody can help on here.

borate

AI, which isn't guaranteed to be 100% accurate, offers these suggestions...

Here’s what likely happened and what you can do:

Data Location and Backup
- Express Invoice data is typically stored in application-specific folders on your Mac. When you install a new version or move to a new computer, the software may not automatically detect or import old data unless you explicitly restore from a backup or move the data files manually.
If you did not manually back up your data or export your files before upgrading/uninstalling, your old data may still be on your previous Mac or in a backup location, but not on the new installation by default.
Why Data Disappears
- Upgrading macOS or moving to a new machine can cause compatibility issues, especially if your old version of Express Invoice was not updated for the new OS. Some users have reported that after upgrading macOS (like to Catalina), their Express Invoice data files were visible but could not be opened or imported into the new version.
If you did not restore from a backup or copy your data files to the new machine, the new installation will start with a blank database. This is a common issue when moving software between computers or after major OS upgrades.
How to Recover Your Data
- Check your old Mac or any backup drives: Look for a folder named “Express Invoice” or similar, or files with a .dat extension (common for Express Invoice data files).
Restore from a backup: If you previously used Express Invoice’s backup feature (to a network folder, external drive, or cloud), you can restore your data from that backup. Go to the “Restore Data” option in Express Invoice and select your backup file.
Manual file transfer: If you find the old data files, copy them to the appropriate folder on your new iMac. The exact location varies by version, but it’s typically in your user’s Documents folder or inside the Express Invoice application folder.
If you cannot find your data: Unfortunately, if no backup exists and the files are not on your old machine or backup drives, recovery may not be possible.
Support and Additional Help
- Contact NCH Support: If you need further assistance, NCH offers technical support for Express Invoice. They can guide you through recovery or troubleshooting steps.
Community Forums: The NCH forums have discussions about moving data and troubleshooting similar issues.

Summary:
Your old Express Invoice data is not automatically transferred to a new installation or computer. You must restore from a backup or manually move your data files. Check your old machine and any backups for .dat files or Express Invoice folders. If you have a backup, use the “Restore Data” feature in Express Invoice to recover your information.

If you did not create a backup and cannot locate your old data files, the data may be unrecoverable. Always back up your business data before upgrading software or changing computers.

jameseis

Many thanks, Borate! Sorry, I didn't see your reply for several days, and then took several more before making time to try out your recommendations.

Since my most recent backup *from within ExpressInvoice* is four years old (I hadn't realised that EI backups have to be done explicitly from within EI), it seems my best bet is "Manual file transfer".

borate wrote:

If you find the old data files, copy them to the appropriate folder on your new iMac.

I have found the old data files on my backup drive, but how do I know what the 'appropriate folder' is? And will putting them there make them readable to EI, when they apparently aren't at the moment?

borate wrote:

The exact location varies by version, but it’s typically in your user’s Documents folder or inside the Express Invoice application folder.

My user doesn't seem to have a Documents folder (or indeed a Library folder), and a search for "ExpressInvoice" yielded the application itself but no folder.

I've contacted NCH Support, and they did reply, but they said that the only possibility was to restore data from a backup file.

Do you have any further thoughts on how manual file transfer might work?

borate

Not an EI user myself, but offer these AI suggestions which may prove helpful...

"To ensure Express Invoice recognizes your old backup data files, you need to place the backup files in the correct location and use the software's built-in restore functionality. Here’s how you can identify and use the appropriate folder:

1. Default Data Folder Locations

On macOS, the default storage is:
- /Users/User/Library/Application Support/NCH Software/Express Invoice.
  
  2. Restoring Your Data
Open Express Invoice.
Go to the Tools menu and select Restore Data.
Click Restore from backup.
When prompted, browse to the folder on your backup drive where you found your old data files and select it.
Click OK to proceed; this will overwrite the current database with your backup, so be sure you want to proceed.

3. Telling Express Invoice Where to Find the Backup
You do not manually copy the files into the data folder. Instead, use the application's Restore Data feature to direct the software to the backup's location. This ensures all files are placed correctly by the program.

"To restore, go to Tools > Restore Data, click 'Restore from backup', browse to your backup file, and click OK. Note: restore will erase existing data."

Summary of steps:

Make note of the folder containing your backup files.
Use Express Invoice's internal restore option.
Direct the software to the folder where your backup resides; it will handle the rest.

You do NOT need to know the internal structure or copy files manually into the program folder. Always use the restore feature for best results and to ensure file integrity.

If you want to know where the program is currently set to store data, check the locations listed above or review your application settings. If you want to change the default folder permanently, this is not typically done for restores; it’s managed at installation and by the application's options for new backups."

jameseis

Thank you so much! I actually kinda did what it said not to do: I cloned the 4-yr-old "Backup" file and manually transferred all the data in each subfolder, then used "Back Up Data" and directed it to my 'Trojan' file. It took me half an hour - but it worked!!