You will need to run a rebuild if the following errors occur in Time+Billing:
Invalid data segment
Not unique in record
Invalid record ID
Data incomplete
Not node page at position
Database corrupted
Note: A rebuild cannot be performed in SQL versions.
The error message will point out the data file causing the issue. Make a note of this file.
If the error points to one of the following data files, the file can be rebuilt on its own:
Clients: Clients.xx, HmClients.Dat
Main: HmMain.Dat
Deposits: HmDeposits.Dat
Reports: HmRepProfiles.Dat, ReportFile.xx, HmReports.Dat
HmUserReports.Dat
Options and Macros: Options.Dat, Macros.Dat
Export Scripts: Exports.Dat
Client Extra: ClientExtra.xx
Budgets: HmBudget.Dat
Statements: HmStatements.Dat
SMS Message Database: SMSFile.Dat
Budget Database: HmBudget.Dat, refer to Rebuild HmBudgets.Dat.
Where an error points to any of the following data files, you must select all five to rebuild together:
WIP Transactions: HmWipTrans.Dat
WIP Ledger: HmWipLedger.Dat
Debtors Transactions: HmDebtTrans.Dat + HmInvExtra.Dat
Debtors Ledger: HmDebtLedger.Dat
Temporary Data: HmTempData.Dat + HmTempDebtTrans.Dat
Perform the rebuild
Important: To avoid downtime, consider running the rebuild after hours, as users need to exit all HandiSoft programs during the process.
Ensure you have an up-to-date backup of your HSoft folder.
All users exit all HandiSoft programs.
If you have Access Ledger, Access Tax, or Access Practice Management, go to Start, Run, type in Services.msc. Locate the HandiSoft Data Agent service, then right-click Stop.
Navigate to the HSoft\Data folder, then sort the files by file Type.
In the Type column, look for files with the REB type. If there are no REB files, go to Step 7.
Rename any REB files to add the date, i.e. Options.REB_12-07-2025.
Have one user open Time+Billing.
Go to Tools, Rebuild the Databases.
Tick the necessary file(s).
Click Rebuild to initiate the rebuild.
Follow and agree to any prompts that appear.
After completing the rebuild, check if the error has been resolved.
If you previously stopped the HandiSoft Data Agent service in Step 3, ensure you right-click and Restart the service.
If the message still occurs, raise a new case and reference the title of this article.