Each time I open Quicken, I get the message

drryanjames

"Select your existing data file to get started". Why do I have to do this EVERY single time I open the program? I have all of my data saved in Dropbox, so I choose the online option, but then it asks where to restore it from.
If I choose "Open Backup Directory", it states I don't have one.
This is a real pain.

Sherlock

drryanjames said:

Can you explain why?
Also, what is the purpose of syncing with the cloud when closing Quicken? If something happened to the files on my computer, how would I access the cloud storage?
None of this is well explained in the Quicken online + Dropbox articles.

The Quicken file is a proprietary format single user database the Quicken program writes to disk frequently.  The basic issue of allowing Dropbox (or any other program) to access the active Quicken file is that there are various times when the Quicken program closes and reopens the file.  If another program manages to access the Quicken file during this window, there is a risk of corruption.  The Quicken program just does not handle there being an unexpected process locking the file.

Regarding the Quicken Cloud, I suggest you review: https://www.quicken.com/support/what-quicken-cloud

Regarding cloud storage, I suggest you review the user instructions of the provider.  

For using Dropbox to backup Quicken files, I suggest you review: https://www.quicken.com/support/dropbox-frequently-asked-questions

Jim_Harman

You should not be storing any active data files in Dropbox. Quicken expects to have exclusive access to its data file and when Dropbox accesses a file that is open in Quicken it can cause problems.

drryanjames

That is strange since there is an article by Quicken Support on using Dropbox for backup files.
https://www.quicken.com/support/how-do-i-backup-my-quicken-file-using-dropbox-windows

NotACPA

@drryanjames In your original message, you stated that you "have all of my data saved in Dropbox".  That implies that your active Q data file (ending in .QDF) is there also.  Is that not the case?

Because storing your active QDF in DropBox and storing your BACKUPS in DropBox are 2 entirely different situations.

In short, Backups OK in DropBox ... Active QDF NOT OK.

drryanjames

Can you explain why?
Also, what is the purpose of syncing with the cloud when closing Quicken? If something happened to the files on my computer, how would I access the cloud storage?
None of this is well explained in the Quicken online + Dropbox articles.

Sherlock

drryanjames said:

Can you explain why?
Also, what is the purpose of syncing with the cloud when closing Quicken? If something happened to the files on my computer, how would I access the cloud storage?
None of this is well explained in the Quicken online + Dropbox articles.

The Quicken file is a proprietary format single user database the Quicken program writes to disk frequently.  The basic issue of allowing Dropbox (or any other program) to access the active Quicken file is that there are various times when the Quicken program closes and reopens the file.  If another program manages to access the Quicken file during this window, there is a risk of corruption.  The Quicken program just does not handle there being an unexpected process locking the file.

Regarding the Quicken Cloud, I suggest you review: https://www.quicken.com/support/what-quicken-cloud

Regarding cloud storage, I suggest you review the user instructions of the provider.  

For using Dropbox to backup Quicken files, I suggest you review: https://www.quicken.com/support/dropbox-frequently-asked-questions

drryanjames

Thanks all for leading me in the right direction to answer my questions.

This was not helpful as I had a Dropbox account already: https://www.quicken.com/support/dropbox-frequently-asked-questions
This was a better resource: https://www.quicken.com/support/how-do-i-backup-my-quicken-file-using-dropbox-windows and then this YouTube video made it clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvOG2CD9BT4

NotACPA

The very first sentence at the link that you've provided is:

"Dropbox is an online storage service that can be used to store your Quicken backup files."

The article you quote doesn't say ANYTHING about storing your QDF on DropBox.