Continue using the Purge wizard
Review the entire Purge wizard process
Learn about what is saved and what is deleted during the purge process
Troubleshoot the purge process
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Purging is the process of removing inactive customers, vendors, employees, jobs, quotes, invoices, purchases, and so on from the records of a company. Purging reduces the size of the files of a company and frees valuable disk space for current and active data.
In Sage 50, purging can be performed at any time, including after you close the fiscal year and or close the payroll tax year using the Year-End wizard.
Due to the complexity of the purging process, you will need to provide information to Sage 50 on what needs to be purged and through what date. To facilitate this process, and reduce the possibility of error, Sage 50 includes a Purge wizard to assist you through the process. You can cancel at any time while you are using the Purge wizard.
It is extremely important to make a backup before you begin purging. In fact, we recommend that you make two backups, one for current reference and one to be stored in a secure location for emergency needs. If you haven't already made sufficient backups, note that the Purge wizard will allow you to make them during the purge process.
The purge process is not intended to remove or fix corrupt data. If you are experiencing problems with your data or suspect it is corrupt, you must restore a backup of your company data.
Note: Since the purge process may take quite a while to complete, we recommend that you start the process at the end of your business day, making sure you leave the computer running. Also, make sure that all other applications are closed before you begin.
Tip: If your company data is extensive, you may want to consider purging the data in sections rather than selecting several options at one time. This allows you to purge in incremental sessions that you control, saving time and memory resources. For example, purge only three months worth of data at a time. Or, purge transactions first, then records.
The Purge wizard comprises a series of windows with instructions and options. The first window, the Welcome to the Sage 50 Purge Wizard window, tells you the end date of the most recently closed fiscal and payroll tax years. Once you've finished reading the text in this window, you can click the Next button to go to the next window in the series. The windows that make up the wizard are:
Back Up Company Data: It's very important that before you close the year, you make a backup of company data and customized forms; otherwise, this information will be lost. The Back Up Company Data window creates a backup for you. Learn more .
Old Transactions: This window lets you choose a date on or before which old, unneeded transactions can be purged. Then the wizard asks you to select the types of transactions you'd like to purge. Learn more .
Account Reconciliation: This window asks whether or not you use Account Reconciliation and need to have certain accounts reconciled before purging. If so, here you can choose the accounts that need reconciling. Learn more .
Inactive Maintenance Records: This window lets you choose the types of inactive records you want to purge. Inactive maintenance records can be purged as long as they are not used by a transaction and have zero remaining balances. Learn more .
Summary of Options: Here you will see a summary of all purge options you have chosen in previous windows. You can either proceed with the purge or use the Back button to return to the earlier windows and make any needed adjustments. Learn more .
In Progress: This window displays progress meters that tell you how much of the purge process has been completed; if needed, you can cancel at any time. The wizard will notify you when purge is complete. The In Progress window also lets you print a log that details the purge process. Learn more .
The Welcome to the Sage 50 Purge Wizard window appears.
Note: If you want to purge old transactions and payroll/1099 transactions, the most recent fiscal and payroll tax years must be closed before you continue. The Closed Years section of the Welcome window will tell you the end dates of the last fiscal and payroll tax years to be closed. If these years are not the most recent ones, use the Year-End wizard to close them.
Now, to proceed with the purge process, select the Next button.
Sage 50 displays the Back Up window.