CCH Answers

When CCH ViewPlan/CCH ViewPlan Advanced is installed, a default database called "vpData1.vdf" is placed in either program's Data folder. When you first open the program, this database is activated for use. The demo case, John and Maureen Robinson, has already been entered and is available for you to choose if desired.

All clients that you enter into the program will reside in a database. If you take no action to create a new database, all clients will be in the default database, "vpData1.vdf". There is no limit to the size of a database, so there is no harm if you only use one database for all your clients.

On the other hand, you may want to divide your clients into categories, or even to have a separate database for each client. For this, you do have the option to create new databases. When in the program, go to File > New Database. You will have the option to name a new database and place it somewhere on your computer or network.  We recommend that you put the new database in the same folder as the default database so that all databases are in the same location. This will help you when you are trying to locate a particular database. All databases have the extension "vdf". When the new database is created, you will see the Client list with the same demo client, John and Maureen Robinson. Since all databases need to have at least one active record, the demo client will always appear when you create a new database. You can delete the demo client if you like, but only after you add a client of your own.

If you have created more than one database, you can toggle among them by going to File > Open Database. Simply choose the database you want to open. Remember, if you add a client to one database, it will not appear in any other database. You can view which database you are in by looking at the top of your computer screen. You will see the blue bar with the words "CCH ViewPlan (or CCH ViewPlan Advanced) - [(Database name).vdf]".

After installing a program update, you will need to open all databases you have created so that they will be updated to reflect the current release.

Finally, the programs are designed to open the last database you accessed. If you have two databases and you were in the second database when you closed the program, the next time you open the program you will return to the second database.