[GNC] budget reports 'YTD' vs 'use accumulated amounts'

[larry johnston]

Adrien,

Thanks for the information.

I think I will install the latest version and try the 'use accumulated
totals' report with a test file. If it works then make the jump. I have an
old laptop that is running 2.6.15 if I have to access the old files.
Rebuilding the Chart of Accounts seems easier than the upgrade process.

Larry

On Wed, Jul 19, 2023 at 9:27 AM Adrien Monteleone <
adrien.monteleone at lusfiber.net> wrote:

> On 7/18/23 1:07 PM, larry johnston wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I did not try to upgrade when I asked this question three years ago.
> > However my computer is on its last legs so I am trying to decide what to
> do
> > when I get the new computer.
> >
> > We have been using GNUCash 2.6.15 and it has met our needs for our
> personal
> > finances. A key feature for us is Phil's YTD report. Per the discussion
> in
> > this string his report will not work in more recent versions. As a
> result I
> > have a few questions.
> >
> > Will 2.6.15 run on Windows 11? Can it still be downloaded?
>
> First a direct answer:
>
> I don't know, but I'm sure It doesn't hurt to try. Maybe someone with
> Win11 can try installing it to see and report back. (best I have is
> access to Win10)
>
> *note, the advice below sounds like a lot of work and reading. It is.
> That's the tradeoff when you wait to upgrade. You don't put off the
> work, you just scrunch it into 'one shot' later.
>
>
>
> -----
> Second, about finding the older versions:
>
> You can find it along with all other versions on SourceForge. (the
> official location of all GnuCash Downloads)
>
> https://sourceforge.net/projects/gnucash/files/
>
> Click the '(stable)' folder, then the folder for the version you want,
> then click the installer you need. ('.exe' in your case)
>
> If you ever need to get back there again - simply go to GnuCash.org and
> click the 'More downloads' link in the Download section at the top of
> the page. That will take you to: https://gnucash.org/download.phtml
> (there is also a Downloads section in the site menu, you can download
> 'program' or 'documentation' from there)
>
> On that page, scroll to the bottom and choose the link for 'View all
> GnuCash downloads' which takes you to the above SourceForge page.
>
> Use this to find any old version. (necessary for your upgrade path
> should you take it)
>
> Despite the cutoff of old versions for old operating systems, there is
> no hard rule that a *newer* version of GnuCash won't run on say, XP or
> Win7, just that the devs don't support it and you are on your own
> trying. I've never heard of any issue with old versions of *GnuCash*
> running on *newer* operating system versions. (your case)
>
>
>
> -----
> Third, upgrade path:
>
> Read this over first:
>
> https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/FAQ#Using_Different_Versions.2C_Up_And_Downgrade
>
> With all that out of the way, and understanding it (ask back here on the
> list if you have questions) you can proceed.
>
> MAKE BACKUPS! (or at least some sort of copy of your data file in
> between *each* upgrade) That way if you have any problems or notice any
> sort of data corruption, you can step back and try again.
>
> See this FAQ on Backups:
> https://wiki.gnucash.org/wiki/FAQ#Questions_about_Backups
>
> You may want to backup your 'environment' as well as your data - so
> don't skip that section!
>
> (yes, you will need to get familiar with the various file locations to
> seamlessly pull this off)
>
> now, to really proceed with the upgrade...
>
> In your case, you would first want to upgrade to the last release of the
> 2.6.x series, 2.6.21
>
> Then you would step to the last of the 3.x series, then last of 4.x,
> then finally the current 5.x release which is 5.3.
>
> Those releases in order would be:
>
> 2.6.15 -> 2.6.21 -> 3.11 -> 4.14 -> 5.3
>
> Be sure (as noted in the above FAQ answer) to run Actions > Check &
> Repair > Check & Repair All after first opening your file when you do
> *each* upgrade. This is important. It should take only a few seconds,
> but some data files might take longer. Report back here if you have any
> issues.
>
>
>
> -----
> Fourth, other options:
>
> In a worst case, if you need to upgrade the computer to a new physical
> machine running Win11, and 2.6.15 doesn't install or run, you could try
> running 2.6.15 in a Virtual Machine. (either running your previous
> version of Windows, or Linux) That is a tad bit technical, but not
> terribly so these days. It is essentially running the old OS inside an
> 'app'. There are even ways to migrate your current computer
> installation, software, data and all, to a Virtual Machine. I have set
> up Virtual Machines (VMs) for several non-techy family members and they
> use it with no problems.
>
> If you end up needing that sort of solution, there are several of us
> here who can help, even though that isn't specific to GnuCash. (and
> there is plenty of help on the web for that too)
>
> Lastly, don't rule that old rustbucket out. It may be possible to
> 'refresh' it simply by reinstalling Windows, possibly upgrading some
> internal hardware, or switching to an appropriate version of Linux.
> You'd be amazed how either of those approaches can revitalize aging
> hardware to like-new performance. (or better in some cases!)
>
> > Does a later version have a report with the same functionality as Phil's
> > YTD report?
>
> I think Chris answered this, but specifically we'd need Phil's report
> (or at least a sample of its output) to know for sure.
>
> To your more detailed question:
>
> > Does the current Budget Report give YTD figures?
>
> Yes, using the 'accumulated amounts' option.
>
> > Does it show 'Current month vs. Budget'
>
> That is ambiguous, but I'm guessing you want 'current month actual' vs.
> 'current month budget'. The answer is Yes, *without* 'accumulated
> amounts' selected. (how the report normally works - each period is shown
> actual, budget, and variance (if selected to) *for that period*.
>
> If you want to see YTD of your Actual vs. YTD of your Budget *as of a
> period* that is what the 'accumulated amounts' option is for.
>
> > Does it show 'YTD vs. Budget
> Yes, as noted above. (not sure how you see this differently)
>
> > Does it show 'Current Income & Expense vs. Annual Budget'
>
> Yes. Of course, you need to include those accounts in the report to see
> the data just as before.
>
> The old Budget Report could do this with Options > Display > 'Show
> column with totals'.
>
> This column is superfluous when using the 'accumulated amounts' if
> you're at the end of the budgeting window as the figures should match
> the last period, but otherwise, it is very useful to see 'how much room
> do I have left' if you are not yet done with that budget. ('year' for
> most folks) Here too the 'variance' column is useful.
>
> > If we want to access our current files what stages of upgrading do we
> need
> > to take?
>
> See above about Upgrade Path
>
> > Is it possible for someone who is not that computer savvy to run two
> > versions of GNUCash on Windows 11?
>
> Yes, see above about Virtual Machines, but be sure to read the FAQ about
> Up/Downgrading. There are limits once you go past some versions.
>
>
> Regards,
> Adrien
>
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