Hi Andy:

I keep finding lots of ACL files that have gotten left behind when I close reports.Is it necessary for them to "hang around" after files are closed? They seem to just clutter up the place, with no useful purpose. They get in my way when I am making back ups of my report files. 

Just wondering. 

Dave Smith

Hi Dave,

Good question: The .ACL files are lock files to indicate when a report is open by another user and are designed to disappear after the report is closed. They are not normally seen and some users have undoubtably wondered what they are.

Problem: Files with the extension .ACL found in the ACI reports folder after report is closed. Can they be deleted?

Solution: If the report has been closed, the corresponding .ACL file is safe to delete.

How to: Simply click Start > Search > All Files and Folders. Then specify file name *.ACL and look in your ACI reports folders (typically \program files\ACI32\Reports) Select files and confirm that they are 1KB  in size, then hit Delete.

Important Notes: Other applications could use the same extension for other files so special attention should be made to only delete files that correspond to ACI. Be careful not to delete .ACI files as these are the reports themselves, only .ACL files.

As always call us if you'd like me or one of my compatriots to take a look with you.

At your service,
Andy

Hi Andy:

Thank you for the reply. You indicated that "they are designed to disappear after the report is closed" but they don't. I know that they used to behave and go away as instructed but why are they hanging around now?  They simply become clutter in the report folder. I am constantly deleting them when I clean out unnecessary files. I am currently using Report version 8.6.2.880.

Any suggestions as to why the ACL files stay around and what can be done to make them go away as you indicate they should?

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes- those files are created when an ACI file is open and usually go away once the report is closed, although it's not uncommon to have a few lying around (if the computer boots down unexpectedly, for example).

Something else must be going on- something that is not letting your ACI clean house like it wants to.  I owe you another call this afternoon anyway, we'll take a look at it then.  I'm sure we will find what's going on!

Andy