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The bridging software can be stored on a File Server on you computer network.
You can either Map a drive to the folder located on your server or access it directly using the 'Universal Naming Convention' (UNC).
For example: 'Z:\My VAT Returns\' or '\\MyServer\My VAT Returns\'
The software is compatible with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Excel.
The software is Not compatible with Mac Office/Excel, OpenOffice or LibreOffice.
Microsoft Windows: Windows 7 onwards. Both Windows '32-bit' and '64-bit' versions are supported.
Note: All 'Important' Windows & Microsoft Updates should be installed, particularly for Excel 2007, 2010 & 2013.
The most effective way to do this is to configure your computer to install 'Windows' Updates automatically
and to tick the 'Microsoft' options box.
For Windows 7 & 8, Open Windows 'Control Panel', click on 'Windows Update', then 'Change Settings'
& then turn-on 'Give me updates for Microsoft products ...'.
For Windows 10, Open Windows 'Settings' app, then click on 'Windows Settings', then 'Update & Security', then 'Advanced Options'
& then turn-on 'Give me updates for other Microsoft products ...'.
Web Browser: Since the version 2.0 release, it is no longer compulsory to use the Microsoft Internet Explorer.
The bridging software now automatically launches your default Web Browser when required.
Microsoft Excel: Excel 2007 (service pack 3), Excel 2010 (service pack 2) and Excel 2013 (service pack 1) onwards.
Note: Now supports both '32-bit' and '64-bit' versions of Microsoft Excel.
Plus a reliable internet connection.
Early releases of Excel 2007, 2010 & 2013 contained serious errors and security issues. Some of these errors may not be encountered during normal use. However, the bridging software uses certain advanced features of Excel, which will trigger these errors. Consequently, all 'Important' Windows & Microsoft updates should be installed as described above.
There is an outstanding defect in DropBox that affects certain installations of Microsoft Excel.
Symptom
Within the NJT software, when you click on the 'Save & Close' button, you are prompted to 'Enter a Password'
and Excel freezes.
Solution
Within DropBox:
The bridging software can be stored on a File Server on you computer network.
You can either Map a drive to the folder located on your server or access it directly using the 'Universal Naming Convention' (UNC).
For example: 'Z:\My VAT Returns\' or '\\MyServer\My VAT Returns\'
The software within the Excel workbook, is a 'Single User' application. This means it can be opened for editing by only One User at any one time.
However, when an attempt is made to open the workbook that is already being used by another User, it can be opened in 'Read Only' or 'Notify' mode.
Whilst opened in 'Read Only' or 'Notify' mode, the User can view and navigate as normal, however, all updating functions are disabled.
Whilst in 'Read Only' mode, You can use the software to navigate, search, print, save as PDF, and display payments and liabilities.
When complete, click on the 'Close' button on the Dashboard.
Whilst in 'Notify' mode, You can use the software to navigate, search, print, save as PDF, and display payments and liabilities.
When the User, editing the software, saves and closes the workbook, the 'File Now Available' message will be displayed and you will be prompted to re-open the workbook in 'Read-Write' mode or 'Cancel'.
If you click on the 'Read-Write' button, the 'File Changed' message will be displayed.
If you click on the 'Cancel' button, you can close the workbook, via the 'Close' button.
Always click on the 'Discard' button. (See Important Note below).
The workbook will be re-opened and you can then continue as normal.
When you open the workbook in 'Notify' mode, the software automatically refreshes certain information within the workbook. Although this does not affect your data, Excel thinks the workbook has changed. Hence the 'File Changed' message.
Therefore you always click on the 'Discard' button.
Files created by this product are organised using a preset folder structure. Sub folders are created automatically within the folder where the workbook is located. It is recommended that the VAT Return workbook is stored in a specific folder. For example, "C:\My MTD VAT Returns".
Archive Folder: The sub folder "\Archive" is automatically created when you first use the software. After you have updated to a new version, this may be a convenient location to store your previous version. This may avoid confusion as to which is your latest version.
Receipt Files: When a draft or finalised VAT Return is saved as a PDF file it is stored, by default, to the sub folder "\Receipts". However, For each Taxpayer, the folder location can be changed, essentially allowing you to store the PDF receipts in any accessible location. Once changed, the new folder location becomes the default for that Taxpayer.
Evidence Files: During each VAT Return submission, copies of the full submission and HMRC response are saved to the sub folder "\Evidence". These files are stored in Text and JSON format and can be viewed using a 'Text' editor such as NotePad or WordPad.
Data Backup Folder: Each backup created by the 'Backup Data' routine is stored in the sub folder "\Backup".
Import Folder: When you Import a VAT Return from, for example an Excel workbook, the routine first searches in the sub folder 'Import'. This may be a convenient location to store the files. However, For each Taxpayer, the file folder location is saved automatically after each import, therefore you can essentially store the files in any accessible location. This folder location then becomes the default for future imports.
Bin Folder: The sub folder "\Bin" is used to store technical log files created by the software. These log files may assist in the resolution of technical issues that may occur during the use of the software.