Sorry, Couldn't Extract

Problem

can't extract-- gives 'sorry couldn't extract' or something similar
reports say 'sorry, had trouble with this extraction' when using MacNail construction accounting software to find some specific report info

Diagnosis

1. try 'Fix Database'
2. Choose Define Name from Formula menu--if 'extract' is in the list, remove it (will have to unprotect document first)

Nearly always, one of these two things will fix it, but if not, do the below:

Solution

3. check titles--have them read off row one titles, one at a time. Are they correct? Should have the same # of columns as us, including P&L. Show row & column headings so you can catch any insertions/deletions. Make sure titles are the same in row 1, top of query box, bottom of query box.
4. check database/criteria/extracter with goto. Are they correct?
5. If none of these fix it, they should either send us the file to fix here, or should copy and paste it all into a new file of the same type (after adding enough blank rows to fit everything)

NOTE-- Our new Goldenseal accounting software is a stand-alone program that doesn't need Excel. That means we can store our data more safely. It also means that many of the weird tech support issues we had in MacNail don't exist for it-- this is one of the more common problems that are now long gone.

Comments

Give them the lecture about always working with document protected, and that this kind of thing can happen if they work with it unprotected and they are not careful, etc etc.

Note also that they will accidentally get the defined name 'extract' on the worksheet if they choose Set Extract, while the worksheet isn't protected. Having that name on the sheet screws up our own use of Extracter for the same function. If it's there, it needs to be deleted as a defined name for things to be back in biz.

Entered 10/10/92 by Dennis. Updated 11/7/2010.