Why doesn't VT provide update macros?

Why doesn't VT provide update macros?

Didn't find your answer?

I know VT represents excellent value for money, BUT . . . .

It is becoming increasingly difficult to take the previous year's VT file for any client and use the 'copy comparatives from previous year' button to kick-start the current year. Do this and you have to play around with entering legislative updates etc. at your peril. In short it is quicker, but so slow, to just open a new file for your old client with the updated version and set them up as if they were a new client. That can't be very efficient, can it?

Is it technically impossible for the clever techs at VT to supply macros or whatever which will automatically update a file with the latest legislative format after the copy comparatives button has been pressed?

Sorry, I know I'm writing like a total IT duffer. I'm just a frustrated user.
Andy Partridge

Replies (19)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By skylarking
18th Sep 2008 12:12

Thank you Philip
Very good of you to take the trouble to comment and it's just the answer I was hoping for. I bet it will reassure many users.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
18th Sep 2008 10:15

It will be possible in future
I was away on holiday and have only just seen this posting.

I am very aware of the issue that has been raised. However, it is a practical impossibility to write a macro that in effect takes selected parts of a new Excel workbook and places them in an existing (and presumable customised) workbook.

As an alternative, we are planning to add data export and import routines that will enable you to export the trial balance and other data from an old workbook and import it into a new one. Starting with the July 2008 edition templates, we have named all cells that contain data with special names beginning with x. This means that data can still be reliably exported/imported even if you have added rows or otherwise customised a workbook. The method will also partially work between workbooks of different types (eg large to small company or vice versa).

The drawbacks of this method are:
* It will only apply to workbooks originally created in the July 2008 edition or later
* User customisations cannot be exported or imported

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
03rd Sep 2008 16:10

recommendation
I don't want to be drawn into this argument, but would anyone like to say which alternative product might solve Andy's problem. Hopefully, then I can avoid the same thing.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By listerramjet
03rd Sep 2008 13:09

Hi Adam
I am not suggesting they could not do it - I am equally sure it is technically possible; but I am suggesting that life is to short to wait and there are probably many competing products that do provide this basic functionality out of the box

As a matter of principle I would always recommend buying software that delivers all of your key requirements straight out of the box. Nothing particularly bad tempered about that. Just good old fashioned common sense.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By adam.arca
03rd Sep 2008 12:26

*
This seems an incredibly bad-tempered thread on all parts!

For what it's worth, I would side with Andy. What is wrong with him having a moan about some software which, whilst good as far as it goes, is limited by its inability to do some fairly basic stuff (it used to irritate me too when I used to use VT)? Surely it is the purpose of a forum like this to share moans and ideas? Who knows - there might have been a groundswell of opinion agreeing with Andy which he could have taken to VT?

And whilst I'm nowhere near as computer-savvy as Alastair, I do write Excel VBA procedures and am sure that what Andy is suggesting is eminently feasible if there was a will (which there doesn't appear to be for some strange reason as VT hardly changed over the several years I used it).

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
02nd Sep 2008 16:14

Useful contribution, Nigel
Now back to your knitting

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
02nd Sep 2008 13:24

Alastair
I think you'll find he just wants to have the last word.

ps. Andy - thanks for the plans.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By listerramjet
02nd Sep 2008 13:14

hmmm
thats a big chip you have on your shoulder. Are you sure you are not in some way related to this company?

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
02nd Sep 2008 13:05

agree with anon
i agree with the comments made earlier by anon. i think your first port of call should be your software supplier. if they are unwilling or unable to provide a solution, then i would consider using different software which is more suitable to your requirements.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
02nd Sep 2008 11:22

Alastair
We are not talking about 'the basics'. You have rather a lot to say on the matter considering you do not appear to have ever used it.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By listerramjet
02nd Sep 2008 09:03

Andy
they probably do. Its supposed to be a simplistic program - if the basics aren't obvious then it does not sound promising. In my experience it is always better to buy applications that deliver most of what you require. If you buy something incomplete and are waiting for them to deliver the missing bits you will most likely remain disappointed.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
01st Sep 2008 12:30

Does he Alastair?
It may be that more experienced users don't experience the same problem and could advise me and others. Maybe not.

I may well take it up with VT and if there is any interest I could share VT's response with the forum. However, what Anon is implying is that I should not have posted the question. That infers I should keep this private between myself and VT and presumably therefore not share VT's response with the forum.

Is that how this site is meant to work? I don't think so!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By listerramjet
01st Sep 2008 11:52

I think anon has a point!
albeit inelegantly put.

Of course it is technically possible that VT could make the sofware do what you suggest, but that they haven't (and it sounds so basic)suggests that you would be better with a different application that does do what you require.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
31st Aug 2008 15:53

Andy
Thanks, I'll make sure to find the update when I get back to the office :)

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
31st Aug 2008 11:45

To anon
Very daring of you to post anonymously. You may be missing the point of the forum. It's like saying if you have an issue with taxes don't waste our time here, take it up with HMRC!

Faerie,

Jul 2008: Profit and loss account and balance sheet re-organised to match the layout in the 2007/8 self-employment tax return
Jul 2008 There are no other disclosure changes. However, the template has been re-written without the use of text boxes. The merge cells feature is now used for text spreading across more than one column. The text in the accountants and auditors reports is now fully automated.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
31st Aug 2008 09:22

There was a July update?!
I check updates every time I start VT, and as yet I've not had an update for months and months. Hmm.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
30th Aug 2008 18:52

who cares
what utter drivel. if you are not happy with the software either take it up with the vendor or buy something else.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By skylarking
30th Aug 2008 14:51

Not any more
The rehashed SATR self-employment pages are in the July 2008 update

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Richardrussell
30th Aug 2008 11:24

Shared frustration
but at least it's just for companies!

Thanks (0)