You might run the database cleanup suggested below and then most likely have to restore a data folder backup before the issue occurred:
Database Cleanup:
You can run a series of database cleanup utilities with everyone out of Essential Forms and see if that sorts the jumbled data. Sometimes it does, most of the time, however the corrupted data would have to be fixed manually or if it’s severe throughout I usually have to pull a backup and perform the restoring backup instructions below.
With everyone out of the program click Configure>Preferences>Database Tab, in that window check the first 3 boxes in that window “Pack/Reindex Databases On Next Launch” click “OK”. Close the program and reopen once in that mode.
Next, go back into Configure>Preferences>Database Tab, in that window UNcheck those 2 boxes in that window “Pack/Reindex Databases On Next Launch”, leave the first box checked that is a default setting. Still in that Database window, check the box “Database cleanup on program launch” click “Ok”. Now close and reopen the program.
Again go back into Eforms and UNcheck that box, “Database cleanup on program launch” click “Ok”. Now, see if those forms data is still jumbled or blank.
If so, you will have to follow the instructions below either #1 or #2.
1. Restoring Your Own Backup:
A. Have your IT person pull the most recent backup of the Essential Forms Data folder from their backup software, before the database corruption was reported. Of course, the sooner the better as to minimize data loss.
B. If the corruption looks like it started at a particular date (3 weeks ago) that can be pinpointed for example it was noticed on a Tuesday, then I would restore the backup from Monday night. If Monday nights still has corruption then go back to Sunday night. And so on.
Usually, I find the most recent backup before the corruption occurred of the complete Data folder and paste it nearby the current Data folder location. Recent saved client(s)/matter(s)/forms generated after the period of corruption if they are showing all the correct saved data without corruption could be moved from the corrupt Data folder into the good Data folder by exporting/importing client/matter(s). To do this, you open the Client/Matter(s) right-click on the Matter folder and click "Export Matter(s). You can save those in the "Transfer" folder (set-up by default) for now. Repeat the process for any other recent Client/Matter(s) where forms were saved since the corruption began.
Note: The saved forms are brought over with the Export/Import tool.
Once all client/matter(s) have been exported (from the corrupt data folder) you can now click Configure>Data Directory and “browse” to the good Data folder (pulled from the backup). Click "Ok" and "Use This Directory" the program will close. When it reopens click File>Import Matter(s) and click on the client/matter(s) saved in the Transfer folder. You can hold the control (CTRL) key down and left click to block select those matter(s). If you hit a duplicate go ahead and either overwrite or skip. If you skip, click on the "Client Information" tab then, right-click the original client/matter and "rename" putting an asterisk (*) after the client and matter name. Go ahead and File>Import Matter(s) again this time it will not prompt you it hit a duplicate both client/matter(s) will show with the same name.
C. If the corruption could be narrowed down to a specific period of time then I would make a list of the client/matter(s) that were corrupted.
Once a decent data folder without corruption has been located then rename the client/matter (with the corrupted forms) put an “*” or “1” some way to differentiate it from the corrupted one. Then right-click on the “matter” and click Export Matter(s). Put it in a temp folder. Repeat the process for other corrupted client/matters. Then, when you have exported all those client/matters, click Configure>Data Directory and “Browse” back to the current corrupted Data folder. Then you can click File>Import Matter(s) and you can block select then by holding down the <shift> key. Then, click “open” in that Import Data window. Then, you can drag/drop and merge the duplicate client/matters with the same forms.
2. If you don’t have a recent backup:
Copy the current (corrupt) data folder, rename it, then paste it either next to the current data folder or someplace else. Then, launch Eforms and click Configure>Data Directory and “browse” to that backup copy. Restoring from a “Release Backup” (….1901, 1907, 2101, 2107…) from the original Data folder, renamed as “DataCorrupt”. In order to do this: Launch Essential Forms, click File>Restore Data From Backup, root-down into the “DataCorrupt” folder, open the “Release Backups” folder and click on the most recent release. For example, 2107 would be from July 01, 2021). Open the folder, in this case from the example ”2107” should have a “release01.efx” or a series of releases (01,02..).efx…” Choose the most recent one to “open” or the one with the greatest file size. Follow the prompts to restore data. You should see your client database again.
Rename the client/matter (with the corrupted forms) put an “*” or “1” some way to differentiate it from the corrupted one. Then right-click on the “matter” and click Export Matter(s). Put it in a temp folder. Repeat the process for other corrupted client/matters. Then, when you have exported all those client/matters, click Configure>Data Directory and “Browse” back to the current corrupted Data folder. Then you can click File>Import Matter(s) and you can block select then by holding down the <shift> key. Then, click “open” in that Import Data window. Then, you can drag/drop and merge the duplicate client/matters with the same forms.
**Important: After the Data folder has been restored and client/matter(s) Imported/Exported it's always a good idea to run the following database utilities to ensure corruption is not ongoing.
Database Cleanup:
You can run a series of database cleanup utilities with everyone out of Essential Forms and see if that sorts the jumbled data. Sometimes it does, most of the time, however the corrupted data would have to be fixed manually or if it’s severe throughout I usually have to pull a backup and perform the restoring backup instructions below.
With everyone out of the program click Configure>Preferences>Database Tab, in that window check the first 3 boxes in that window “Pack/Reindex Databases On Next Launch” click “OK”. Close the program and reopen once in that mode.
Next, go back into Configure>Preferences>Database Tab, in that window UNcheck those 2 boxes in that window “Pack/Reindex Databases On Next Launch”, leave the first box checked that is a default setting. Still in that Database window, check the box “Database cleanup on program launch” click “Ok”. Now close and reopen the program.
Again go back into Eforms and UNcheck that box, “Database cleanup on program launch” click “Ok”.