ACT! Database Synchronizing Using LapLink
- Search Again SUMMARY I use a database program called ACT!™. However, when I try to synchronize my contacts and appointments by copying the files from the ACT!™ directory, ACT!™ doesn’t show the updated data.
SOLUTION ACT!™ is actually a series of interlocked databases and indexes that get updated at various times as entries are made. However, changes to the database do not necessarily modify the date-time stamp of the file that LapLink uses to check if a file is newer or not.
There are two ways to share data in ACT!™
Exporting/Importing the entire database: You can export the entire database, transfer the export file between machines, and then import the transferred database into the program.
- Open the ACT! program on the source computer.
- Click File.
- Click Import/Export.
- Follow the wizard (if there is one) and the program will create a file of the entire data file into a “back-up” file. You will be prompted to give this file a name and asked where to store it. As a default, have the file stored into the My Documents folder.
- Once you have the file in the My Documents folder, launch LapLink to transfer the information from the source computer’s My Documents folder to the target computer’s My Documents folder.
- Once the file transfer is complete, exit LapLink.
- Open the ACT! program on the target computer.
- Click File.
- Click Import/Export and follow the wizard to import the file from the My Documents folder.
- Your data will now be available on the target machine.
Synchronization Method: You can utilize the ACT!™ Synchronization feature to only export changed data to a specific location, transfer the synchronization files between machines, and then run the Synchronization feature again on the target PC to include the new records.
- On both the source and target computers, create two directories on your C: drive: One named Synch-In and the other named Synch-Out.
- On the source PC, start the ACT!™ software.
Note: We’ll run through the process to set up a Synchronization as it appears in ACT!™ version 4.0:
- From ACT!™s Menu bar, click File, then click Synchronization.
- This starts the Synchronization Setup Wizard the first time you choose this. Click Next to go past the Introduction screen.
- Click With Other Users, then click Next.
- Ensure all four boxes are selected, and the click Next .
- Select the record for yourself and then click Next.
- The next screen asks how you want to Synch your data. Click Use Shared Folders. At this point, you get to specify where the Synch files will go:
- In the Send These Syncs field, typeC:\Sync-Out
- In the All Received Syncs Go field, type C:\Sync-In.
Note: You may have to use the Browse button and select the directory that way.
- Click Next.
- On the next screen, you select what data specifically you wish to receive as part of the sync. Click on the items as needed, then click Next.
- You will then choose what data you wish to send. Click on the options that apply, and indicate whether you want to send the complete data or only what’s changed since the last sync. When you finish making your selections, click Next.
- ACT!™ will then ask if you want to regularly schedule this sync. We recommend you don’t, but it is your choice. After choosing Yes or No, click Next.
- The wizard will now tell you that you have finished setting up Synchronization. Click the Finish button. This will take you back to the ACT!™ main program screen.
- Repeat the above process on the Target machine.
After the Synchronization setup has been completed, run the synchronization in ACT!™ on the source machine:
- Click File, then Synchronize.
- Choose Send Records and set the type of Sync to With Other Users .
- Click Synchronize. This creates the synchronization file in the Sync-Out directory.
We’re now ready to transfer the data. Start a LapLink File Transfer session between the source and target machines.
- In the All Folders column of the file transfer window on the source computer, click the Synch-Out folder.
- In the All Folders column of the file transfer window on the target PC, click the Synch-In folder.
- Press the F9 key to start a file sync between the machines. This will transfer files between the source and target directories. You can now close or minimize LapLink.
Start ACT!™ on the target computer. We will run the final step to sync our databases:
- Click File, then Synchronize.
- Choose Receive Records and set the type of Sync to With Other Users .
- Click Synchronize. The synchronization routine imports the records from the source machine into the ACT!™ database.
- At this point, check your ACT!™ database. The records have been successfully transferred and updated on the target machine.
Disclaimer: LapLink, Inc. provides this information as a service to its users. No warrantee as to the accuracy or fitness for purpose is given. If you need assistance configuring ACT!™ to use any of the ACT!™ features described here, please contact ACT!™ technical support. Please contact LapLink, Inc. technical support only if you encounter problems using LapLink to transfer the data after exporting.
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