Restart SQL for Act!
This is a common problem with Act! running sync databases or sole practitioners with laptops running Act!. These are the 3 means to reset the SQL service so the Act! database opens as expected.
Option 1 - Manually Restart SQL Service
Step 1
From the Act! server (host or sync database), Start -> Run-> services.msc
Step 2
Right Click on SQL Server (ACT7) and select restart
Option 2 - For Windows 10 Users
Step 1 – Watch this video on how to change the SQL service to a delayed start. In some cases, Windows doesn’t start SQL. The delayed start option might delay Act! for a couple minutes; however, this ensures Act! opens consistently. Please note the video requires Adobe flash to be enabled on your browser.
Option 3 - Download a Reset SQL Instance App
Option 4 – . Right click on this and select “Run as Administrator”. This forces the Act! instance to start.
History Fix for Act CRM
The easiest way to record a phone conversation in Act! is to lookup a contact record and press CTRL-H. But, it defaults to "Appointment Completed" in Act! 2011+. Most of my clients prefer "Call Completed", and there is no way to change this within Act!. This fix applies to Act! 2011, Act! 2012, Act! 2013, Act! v16 and Act! v17.
The solution is to download this free tool allows you to change the default setting from "Appointment Completed" to "Call Completed" or a customized entry for Act! 2011+.
Changing the Default History Settings in Act!
The easiest way to record a phone conversation in Act! is to lookup a contact record and press CTRL-H. But, it defaults to "Appointment Completed" in Act! 2011+. Most of my clients prefer "Call Completed", and there is no way to change this within Act!.
The solution is to download this free tool allows you to change the default setting from "Appointment Completed" to "Call Completed" or a customized entry for Act! 2011+.
Act! and Microsoft Office Compatibility
Since Act! is not owned by Microsoft, their decisions on upgrading software remain independent of each other. Historically, Act! will not release any patches or updates until Office has been published. Also, Act! doesn’t retrofit earlier versions of Act! to be compliant with the latest version of Office. Read this knowledge base article for the latest compatibilities, and this article for their obsolescence policies for support.
- You need the full desktop version of Outlook installed.
- You need to install Office before installing Act!. If you upgraded Office on the desktop, then it's a best practice to uninstall and reinstall Act!.
If you’re still stuck, follow this guide. Or, we offer fee-based support to fix Act! and MS Office integration issues.
Attaching Documents to Act!
Did you know you have three different methods of managing documents with Act! ? Which one is the best ? Well, it depends.
In Act!, press CTRL-I. The, you can attach a file to the current contact open in Act!. You can also go to the history tab and click the paper clip icon and attach either a shortcut (hyperlink) to a file or attach the whole file to Act!. Or, you can visit the documents tab and attach a document there also. Attaching the file actually copies the file from the original location to the Act! filing system, which is a best practice for remote synchronizing laptops.
The shortcut option creates a hyperlink (much like a website does) and the documents tab allows you to quickly e-mail that attachment to that contact record in Act!.
