MoneyWorks 8 is a major upgrade, requiring a new license key (unless you have a subscription license or Datacentre server with annual maintenance, in which case this upgrade is included as part of your subscription/software maintenance). These notes apply to MoneyWorks Gold/Datacentre, but where features are common to Express/Cashbook, apply to those products also.
- New database storage format results in smaller data files. Typically 15%-30% smaller, but at the same time allows for larger field capacity
- Bank statement auto coding expanded rules and auto-match to invoices
- More user/custom fields and larger field capacity
- Serial and batch number tracking
- Greatly expanded scriptability — add custom windows and customise standard windows
- Multi-section forms in forms designer
- Account security levels and improved privilege control with User Roles
- Unlimited contacts per Name record
- Colour names per table
- Full-service server for all: Gold server is replaced by Datacentre server with superior performance and capabilities. Everyone now gets always-on unattended server capability (and therefore internet accessibility); SSL security capability; REST API for integration with other internet applications; auto backup and archive; and much faster networking and report generation.
- Much improved support for HiDPI displays on Windows
- Compatibility with the APFS file system that is expected to arrive on macOS later in 2017
Revised system requirements
- Minimum supported Mac OS version is 10.7 Lion. El Capitan or later recommended
- Minimum supported Windows version is Windows 7. Windows 10 recommended
It is now easy to add additional pages to a form with completely different formatting. The principal use for this would be to add a terms & conditions page to the end of an invoice, but the general nature of Sections allows for many other possible uses. Just use the Sections popup to add or remove sections. Each new section is a blank canvas—the only limitation being that all sections have the same fundamental dimensions.
When PDFing, all sections will be output to the same PDF file. When printed, they are collated together (contrast this with Meta-forms).
You can also programmatically omit certain sections. In the Form Options there is a Section Skip function. You can calculate a string which contains the section numbers of sections that should not be output. E.g. a skip sections function of “23” would omit sections 2 and 3.
- Calculated column headings in lists
Column headings can include expressions within << and >> that will be calculated at runtime. Same as you can do with static text objects.
- Vertical centering of list headings
This list option will centre single-line headings within the heading region of a list object, giving a much tidier layout. If you need headings to wrap over several lines, then leave this option off.
- Arbitrary sorting of lists
The option of sorting list contents by one or two fields is now augmented by an option to sort by a formula. Set the Sort By popup to Calculation instead of Fields and enter a calculation, the result of which will be used as sort value for each row of data.
- First/last-page sizing of lists
You can define a top and bottom vertical inset for a list object wherein the top inset will be used for the first page output for the list, and the bottom inset will be used for the last page. This allows the list to take up more space on the page when subsequent pages do not have headings/logo etc at the top and non-final pages don’t have totals/footers at the bottom. To define these offsets, activate the list object by double-clicking, then hold down the option key (Mac) or Control key (Windows) and drag down from the top or up from the bottom of the object. The total size of the object will overlay the first page header objects and the last page footer objects (use the appropriate attributes on those objects to control their page visibility).
- Free-form list data
If the data you want to be output in a list does not correspond to a selection of records from the database (you want to calculate it on the fly), then you can use the new Calculated Row Count option in the List Records popup. This will take the numeric result of the “Search function” and output that many virtual “records”. Your list column calculations will calculate the data based on the row number. You can obtain the index (0 based) of the virtual record using the variable name index (valid within a column calculation).
The forms designer now autosaves as you work. In the event of a crash, autosaved documents are recovered at next startup.
The report writer now autosaves as you work. In the event of a crash, autosaved documents are recovered at next startup.
Bank Statement auto-coding improvements
- Auto-allocation rules now allow more complex tests against memo, payee, amount and the bank account, and the split can be a a combination of percentage and absolute amounts among up to 4 accounts.
- You can have rules that allocate receipts/payments to debtors/creditors to pay invoices.
- You can have a general auto-pay-invoice rule that intelligently identifies whether a receipt is for an invoice and allocates it for you (based on customer code or invoice number in the statement details).
Stock serial number, batch, and location tracking
- Record serial or batch numbers in purchases and sales
- Record batch expiry dates
- Per-batch or serial number stock on hand
- Per-location stock on hand
- Stock transfer journals
- Product codes can now be up to 31 characters in length
- Changes to chart of accounts structure has greatly improved performance on a slow network.
- Timesheet entry is now much faster on a slow network.
- Can now be used to enter budgets.
- Network protocol now incorporates compression for reduced network traffic and faster serverside report retrieval.
- Console now validates and displays expiry dates for SSL certificates.
- REST server now supports HTTP/1.1, in particular the 100-continue header for POST/PUT so there is no longer a delay if you POST/PUT from an HTTP/1.1 client (previously you had to force your client to use HTTP/1.0 to avoid a delay).
- SSL/TLS now supports Perfect Forward Secrecy which is required by some REST clients.
- Mac Datacentre can now more easily save backups in alternative locations without having to carefully set folder permissions.
The power and reach of MWScript has been significantly expanded.
- Custom window designer
You can now define custom windows for use by scripts. Custom windows can be scripted in the same way that you script the built-in windows, except because you “own” all of the controls, there are no limitations on what you can do with them.
- More scriptability of standard windows. Symbolic names are available for controls in all windows; there are new EnterField and EnterCell messages.
- Predefined constants
There are predefined constants to use for functions that require “magic” numbers (such as the format number for NumToText).
- Script Editor auto complete
When you type more than 4 letters of the name of a built-in identifier such as a function, variable or constant name, you will get a drop-down to help auto-complete it.
persistentattribute for properties, automatically stores the property value in the client’s preferences.
- Dropbox-friendly file access for single-user MoneyWorks with a document shared in a Dropbox folder, MoneyWorks will now warn you if someone else is currently using the document, to avoid “Conflicted copy”.
- Improved online manual/help
- WET Tax support (Australia)
- Tax codes up to 5 characters for jurisdictions with ridiculous numbers of sales taxes (US)
- “Mail merge” functionality when sending emails — personalise emails per recipient.
- Much improved HiDPI support on Windows
- Improved Outlook support on Windows—messages can be created non-modally, with email signature intact