Sage 100 ERP applications use 'Line Files' to store detail information for a specific record. These files are usually distribution detail files for data entry records (for example: invoices and journal entries).

A Line File is a linked list, or chain, of detail records associated with a header record. For example, a single invoice may be distributed to several General Ledger accounts during Accounts Payable Invoice Data Entry. The linked list structure allows an unlimited number of detail records to be associated with a header record. It also facilitates deletions and insertions of detail records.

In the event of a hardware or software malfunction, a file's linkage information may become damaged. Damaged Line Files may result in:

• Missing detail records
• Listing or printing records out of sequence
• Error messages that display when printing or maintaining a 'Line File'
  

The Analyze and Relink Line Files utility allows any 'Line File' to be relinked. If necessary, this utility can be used to rebuild the line information. A Line File Rebuild Report is printed for each file processed that lists all data records containing invalid linkage information.

Notes:

• This utility repairs the links and indexes for Line Files only. It does not repair damaged data. The 'Rebuild Application Sort Files' utility is used to repair sort files, and the 'Rebuild Key Files' utility is used to repair key files.
• User-defined fields (UDFs) are not affected by this utility.  UDFs are linked to the record by the 'Line Index' field, which is never changed.
• Supervisor rights (or the equivalent 'Security Event in Role Maintenance' for version 4) are required to run this utility.
  Warning: Use caution when working with this task. Always make a backup first. If necessary, seek the assistance of a qualified Sage Software Customer Support analyst.
  

To Relink line files:

1. Select Library Master, Utilities, Analyze and Relink Line Files
2. Click Ok, at Warning
3. Select the Module. Select Company Code from look up
4. The Analyze and Relink Line Files window lists all line files related to the selected application. By default, the cursor is placed at the first Line Detail File listed. Click a different file to select it.
   Double-click the highlighted file, or click Select to change the Relink option from No to Yes to rebuild the Line Detail File. The cursor automatically advances to the next file displayed. Click All button to select all listed files. Leave the Relink setting to No if you do not wish to rebuild the selected file.
5. When the selection is complete, click Proceed
6. At the 'Do you want to save original files' prompt, click Yes to relink the selected files while saving a duplicate of the indexed files prior to rebuilding. This 'backup' copy is identified as the original file name plus the '.old' extension in the \MAS90\ directory under the application/company data directory. For example, the AP6ABC and the APAABC files being relinked above would have a AP6ABC.old and an APAABC.old copy under the \MAS90\APABC directory if 'Yes' is selected at this question.
7. Click No to relink the selected files without saving a copy of the indexed files.
   Important! Because this program may cause data loss if the file is sufficiently corrupted, it is strongly recommended that you select Yes at the prompt so that a backup file is retained.
8. At the "Do you want to print the Error Log?" prompt, click Yes to print a detailed listing of the Remove Chain entries. The Remove Chain detail information is generated even if all the data file links are complete and correct.
   Click No to bypass the Error Log. Note: This is the only opportunity to print this report.
9. When report printing is complete, the original dialog displays with the Application field. Click Cancel or X to close the utility.

Error log messages and information:

LINK ERROR IN HEADER                     Header Key
This message indicates that a particular header record is linked to an index number outside the range of the line detail file. The pointer is reset to zero, and the header record has no line detail. In other words, this message can indicate that a detail item (i.e. sales order line item, check detail record, etc.) was not able to be relinked with its "header" record and was likely removed. The order or check number (or whatever the header) must be examined for missing detail. For example, if the SO2 (Sales Order Detail File) is relinked and orders exist with "Link Error in Header" messages, check the sales order numbers referenced on the 'Error Log' to verify the order still has all of its line detail.

DETAIL RECORD LINE POINTER OUT OF RANGE             Line Key                 Line No.
Similar to the message above, this message indicates that a particular line detail record is linked to an index number outside the range of the line detail file. This pointer is reset to zero.

DETAIL RECORD WITH INVALID HEADER
This message indicates that a detail record exists but the header record does not exist (orphaned record). It is removed.

DETAIL RECORD RELINKED RELINKED FOR HEADER          Line Key            Index No.
This message indicates that a line detail record has been relinked as a result of a header/line Key mismatch, a record already in use, or a line pointer outside range conditions. The line record key and the index number are provided. Verify that the headers do not have duplicate detail. In other words, this can indicate that the system found an orphaned detail record in the file and relinked it to the header record. If the "missing" detail record has since been readded to the header (for example, a line item was added back to a sales order) the detail can now be duplicated (i.e. the same line item on the sales order twice).