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Set up your data file

Use this guide the first time you open Big Picture Money on a computer. You create an encrypted database and choose where it is stored.

Prerequisites​

  • Big Picture Money is installed and launches successfully

Steps​

  1. Launch Big Picture Money.
  2. On the Welcome screen, read the passphrase warning: you must remember your passphrase — it cannot be recovered if you forget it.
  3. Enter a passphrase of at least 12 characters.
  4. Enter the same passphrase again in Confirm passphrase.
  5. (Optional) Click Choose folder to pick where your data file is stored. If you skip this step, Big Picture Money uses the default location for your operating system.
  6. Click Create data file.

Validation​

  • If the passphrase is shorter than 12 characters, a message explains the minimum length.
  • If Confirm passphrase does not match, a message asks you to try again.

Expected result​

  • Big Picture Money creates an encrypted database file in your chosen or default folder
  • The new file is unlocked; you then activate a license for that file when prompted (Import license file or Buy Big Picture Money)
  • After the license step, you arrive at the main app shell with Home visible
  • Because the new file has no accounts yet, Home shows Getting started (see First steps on Home)
  • Until you add an account, most finance navigation stays unavailable; Accounts, Import, and Settings remain available (see Onboarding)