What could have caused my data file to jump from less than 200 MB to over 6GB? (Q Mac)

Unknown

My Quicken 2015 for Mac data file contains approximately 12 years of data entry for various financial accounts. There are no attachments or images included in my data file as verified by looking at the package contents. How I came to realize the data file was so large was when a recent backup file was copied to a back-up hard drive and it took several minutes. It was then that I realized the data (and back-up) file was in excess of 6 GB. Is this normal?

John_in_NC

This isn't normal, and something I haven't seen on the Mac side. (I have seen postings of ballooning files on the Win side from time to time.)

If it were I, I would make sure my file is saved locally, and create a backup (to the same Mac formatted drive) to verify if the file is indeed bloating.

If it does, I would looking inside the Package (as you appear to have been doing) to see what is growing large in size.)

John_in_NC

This isn't normal, and something I haven't seen on the Mac side. (I have seen postings of ballooning files on the Win side from time to time.)

If it were I, I would make sure my file is saved locally, and create a backup (to the same Mac formatted drive) to verify if the file is indeed bloating.

If it does, I would looking inside the Package (as you appear to have been doing) to see what is growing large in size.)

Unknown

What I did that greatly reduced the data file size was to make a copy of the data file, open the package contents, then delete all past data files except the primary file named "Data". I opened the file in Quicken to verify all data was intact. Everything seems to be present and the file size is now less than 20 MB. I saved the previous file just in case I encounter issues later.

jacobs

I recall that there was an issue with Quicken retaining old versions back in Quicken 2015 after each update for security, but I wouldn't have thought you'd have gone through enough updates for your file to get that big. If it's any consolation, they changed this somewhere along the way, so if you ever upgrade, you won't see this recurring. 

Unknown

Jacobs, thank you for the feed-back. I’ll be honest...although I do like the features and ease of use with Quicken, I don’t use the online features(financial institution downloads, etc.). And since I paid for the software, it irritates me that several times a year I have to endure Quicken’s unwanted pop-up advertisements to purchase an upgrade. I can’t turn them off and I’ve asked Quicken how to make them stop only to be told they are automatic and part of the software. I’m looking to replace the software with something else...

jacobs

@jkhenderson  I also don't use the online features. For me, the improvements in the software make it worth the annual price. I found Quicken 2015 not really usable for my needs, but Quicken 2020 has improved in many, many areas. If you find something that meets all your needs for less expense, then go for it.