Possible Bug with Memorized Reports.

[aviator]

Hi Mark,

I think I've discovered a possible bug with memorizing reports. I'm using Beta 11.0, version 6.

The problem is that custom reports are not being memorized after the changes I've made by using the settings dialog, but only under certain conditions.

For example, I have two portfolios (one for me, one for a relative) that look almost identical:

Family name
-Broker 1
-Broker 2
-Broker 3
--Family Member A
--Family Member B
-Broker 3 Linked Accounts

I had to change reports to stop reporting on Family name, because the linked accounts were "doubling up" totals. So now I want to report on Broker 1, 2 or 3.

When I make changes to the reports and save them using the Memorize button, it appears to work fine. Specifically, I use the setting dialog to change the sub-portfolio name, then use the memorize button to save the changes. (I can open and close reports, and the changes I've made have stuck). But if I close out one portfolio and open another, when I go back to the first portfolio the changes are lost, even after doing a backup before exiting the first portfolio.

I hope this makes sense.

Edit 1: After playing with this for some time, I've reached a conclusion that the problem lies with opening two portfolios. If, for example, I save the reports in Portfolio 1, I can open and close that portfolio many times and all report criteria are saved correctly. In other words, everything works as it should.

If, however, I open Portfolio 1 and then open Portfolio 2 (from within Portfolio 1 by selecting File/Portfolio 2), then go back to Portfolio 1, that's when the report settings get lost. This happens even if I don't change any report settings in Portfolio 1 or 2.

[Mark]

Hi aviator,

I think 2 separate features may be getting mixed up here. When you "memorize" a report, you are saving those report settings to a named memorized report, available from within any portfolio file. All your memorized reports are displayed at the bottom of the top level "Reports" menu.

In addition to memorized reports, portfolio files (*.mm4) can remember what reports you have open, and their settings. These are memorized as part of the portfolio file, and are separate from named memorized reports. If you are opening a portfolio file, any reports created are being recalled from the portfolio file, not from your memorized reports. Memorized reports are only used when you select their name from the top level "Reports" menu, and create a new report.

You can control whether or not portfolios remember reports with "Options / Report Preferences... / General / Portfolios Store and Recall Reports".

It sounds like you may still be seeing a bug though. If you open a portfolio file and it recreates some reports, this should not affect reports being remembered in another portfolio file. Is this the case? What specific report setting is not being restored properly? The sub-portfolio? The date range?

On a side note... You may consider using just a single portfolio file, and creating another layer of sub-portfolio hierarchy. This way, you only have one portfolio file, and everything is always available, without having to switch portfolios. Also, you only need to do a single price update, and all your investments are updated.

[aviator]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your quick and detailed reply.

I like your suggestion of using one portfolio instead of two. I will look into merging them going forward.

However, I'm still having a problem with the reports in two different portfolios. I understand what you're saying about saving report settings (i.e. "memorizing" a report) vs. backing up a portfolio but the problem is still there.

In my two portfolios, I use the same reports in each. All the settings are the same (i.e. column headings, dates, etc.) except for the sub-portfolio name. It appears that each time I open the portfolio, it reverts to the top-most level of the hierarchy (regardless of which portfolio I'm in), not the saved sub-portfolio.

[Mark]

Hi aviator,

Reports stored in portfolio files should remember the sub-portfolio being reported on. I just did a quick test, and this appears to be working properly. Why don't you give me a call and I can connect into your computer, and we can take a look at it together.

[aviator]

Actually, at the moment I'm converting two portfolios into one.

I just tried the reports again and got the same results, but I really liked your idea of using one portfolio instead of two. It makes life much easier to do one backup, have one set of reports, etc. It's quite likely that the report issue has to do with user error, but in a good way it serves as a catalyst to combine the two portfolios.

This is a bit off-topic, but I have a couple of questions:
1) I copied the sub-portfolio from my second portfolio and pasted it into the first portfolio. Everything *appears* to be right, but is there a better way of doing this?

2) I'll need to upgrade to the professional version due to the number of open securities I have in the combined portfolios. I'm currently running v11, Beta 6. Can I just download the pro version and apply it over the personal version? Other than backups, is there anything else I need to do?

3) When will I need to pay for the upgraded version? When v11 goes live?

Thanks

[Mark]

Hi aviator,

1) Yes, copy/paste is the easiest/best way to do it. There is actually a tutorial on this here:

http://www.fundmanagersoftware.com/tuto ... video.html

but it sounds like you've already got it done.

2) Yes, just install the Professional version right over the Personal version. Do not uninstall the Personal version, as that would cause you to lose your registry preferences. The data files are all compatible between the 3 versions, so it should be easy to upgrade.

3) Yes, after 11 is released you would need to upgrade and get an 11.x license. The beta version will expire shortly after 11.0 is released.

[aviator]

Hi Mark,

Everything appears to have gone well with the upgrade to the professional version. I haven't checked everything to the last detail, but I've seen enough to feel comfortable.

A couple of questions about some of the new features in the pro version:

1) Defining fields. Is it possible to define a field with a number (a constant), then use that field for calculations elsewhere?

2) Bond amortization and accretion. What is the most common source for this data? My brokers website does not provide this information and I was wondering where this information might be obtained.

Thanks.

[Mark]

Hi aviator,

1) Sorry, no. You cannot include a defined field in the definition of another defined field. Equations can only include numbers, built-in fields, functions, and math operators.

2) Which data are you looking for? Fund Manager can calculate bond accretion or amortization for you, based on your recorded purchase of the bond, coupon rate, maturity date, etc. You can either type in your own amount, or you can have Fund Manager calculate the appropriate amount for you. Whether or not to record accretion or amortization is something you'd need to talk with a tax professional about, but if you decide you'd like to record it, Fund Manager can help with the calculation, and keep track of it for you. For more on this, please read:

http://www.fundmanagersoftware.com/help ... etion.html

[aviator]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the information about the bonds. I think I've got this figured out.

Upgrading to the professional version was a good decision. All the data correctly moved from the personal version, and it's nice to see all portfolios at a glance.