Diagnosing a damaged data file

When Quicken behaves unpredictably—such as showing incorrect report totals, failing to reconcile correctly, or behaving inconsistently in split transactions—the cause may be a damaged data file. This guide helps you identify signs of file corruption using built-in tools and structured observations, without making any changes to your data.

This topic focuses only on diagnosis. Repair options are covered in a separate help article:
Troubleshoot a damaged data file

What is a damaged data file?

A damaged Quicken file contains internal inconsistencies that may cause features to work incorrectly or unpredictably. File damage can result from:

• Interrupted saves (e.g., power loss or forced shutdown)

• Using the file over a network or cloud-synced location

• Repeated file conversions or imports

• Prolonged use without file maintenance

You may still be able to open the file and use it, but data integrity may be compromised.

Common signs of damage

You may have a damaged file if you notice:

• Report totals are wrong, even with correct filters

• Reports are missing categories, tags, or date ranges

• Split transactions won’t retain category assignments or amounts

• Reconciliation fails even though all transactions are correct

• Portfolio balances don’t match known values

• Searching for payees or transactions returns incomplete results

• Account or category lists contain duplicates or missing entries

• Attachments fail to load in some transactions

• Specific accounts cause Quicken to slow down or freeze

If more than one of these issues appears, proceed with the steps below to confirm whether the file is damaged.

Step 1: Check report integrity

Quicken reports often show the first signs of file corruption.

1. From the menu bar, go to Reports > Spending > Itemized Categories.

2. In the report window, click Customize in the upper-right corner.

3. On the Accounts tab, select All Accounts.

4. On the Categories tab, select All Categories.

5. On the Date Range tab, select Last 12 Months or Year to Date.

6. Click OK to apply changes.

Review the report totals and category breakdown. If numbers are clearly wrong or categories are missing despite full filters, this may point to data file damage.

Repeat the process using Reports > Net Worth & Balances > Account Balances to see if similar inconsistencies appear.

Step 2: Test split transaction behavior

Damaged files often struggle to handle split transactions correctly.

1. In the Account Bar (left side), click a checking or credit card account that contains known split transactions.

2. Locate a transaction with a split (indicated by a “Split” label or multiple sublines).

3. Click the transaction once to highlight it, then click the Split button that appears.

4. Review the category and amount lines.

5. Try editing one line—change the category or amount—and click Save.

If the line disappears, resets, or doesn't save properly, this behavior may indicate structural corruption.

Step 3: Attempt a mock reconciliation

When Quicken can't reconcile correctly, even with accurate data, a damaged file is a possible cause.

1. Open a checking or credit card account register from the Account Bar.

2. Click the Actions gear icon in the upper-right corner of the register.

3. Select Reconcile from the dropdown menu.

4. Enter a recent statement balance and statement ending date.

5. Click OK to continue.

6. Mark transactions as cleared using the checkboxes in the left margin.

7. Compare the Difference shown in the reconciliation window to what you expect.

If Quicken can't reconcile—even with all known correct transactions marked—the file may be failing to calculate balances correctly.

Step 4: Review investment data for anomalies

Investment accounts can reveal damage through incorrect lot structures or portfolio inconsistencies.

1. Click the Investing tab near the top of the screen.

2. In the Show dropdown, select Portfolio Value.

3. In the Group by dropdown, select Accounts.

4. Review balances for irregular values (e.g., negative share counts, missing prices).

5. Click any security name to open its Security Detail View.

6. Click the Holdings button to view the lot structure.

7. Review quantity, cost basis, and market value for inconsistencies.

If share balances are off, lots are missing, or price history is incomplete—despite the security being actively tracked—this may point to internal damage.

Step 5: Run a validation in review-only mode

You can run Quicken’s validation tool without making changes, to detect and log file issues.

1. From the menu bar, choose File > Validate and Repair File...

2. In the Validate and Repair window, confirm the correct file is selected.

3. Select the Validate file option.

4. Leave all other boxes unchecked (do not select “Rebuild investing lots” or “Copy file”).

5. Click OK to begin the validation.

6. After the process completes, Quicken opens a log file named DATA_LOG.TXT.

In the log file, review for messages such as:

• Damaged category list

• Invalid transaction detected

• Deleted damaged payee or account reference

• Rebuilt investment lots for [security]

• Orphaned transaction removed

These entries suggest that Quicken has identified corruption in one or more areas of the file.