How to change the method to determine the next number to use in a character field for a new record

If you have recently updated to Sage 100 Contractor version 25.2, you may have noticed a change in the numbering sequence of some record fields such as Invoice# and Order#. The default number in these fields for a new record may be significantly higher than what you expected. This change applies to fields where the user had set the default entry to NEXT in the field properties (F7) and to fields where the program had automatically determined the next value.

Recently, a change was made in the program with the aim of returning to a purely numbers-based approach. The change was introduced in the initial release of version 25.2 (25.2.143). The new approach involves finding the highest purely numerical value in a field and adding 1 to it. This is a departure from the previous approach where the program read the database values in reverse order based on Record# and looked for the most recent numerical value. With the update to version 25.2, the program now reads the database values for the highest existing purely numerical value. However, since this change, some customers have reported that their workflow has been disrupted if they have one or more past records with an unusually high number.

You'll need to install Sage 100 Contractor version 25.2.162 or later to use the process described below.  Sage 100 Contractor: Download Portal

After installing the 25.2 Update 2 (25.2.162) or later, you will have the option to switch back to the previous numbering method used in older versions of the software. By doing this, you can maintain your current numbering sequence. Follow the below instructions to enable this option:

1. After installing version 25.2.162 or later, open the Database Administration tool on the server, log in, then close Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor.
2. This will automatically create a file called UseOldMethodForNEXTDefault-OFF in the [your Sage data drive]:\Sage100Con\Common\Customization folder on the server. By default, this file means the new default numbering system is being used.
3. To revert to the old numbering system used prior to the 25.2 release, right-click on this file, select Rename, and change the OFF to ON. Do not delete the dash (-) or any other part of the file’s name. So, when done the file should be called UseOldMethodForNEXTDefault-ON. You must change to ON – simply deleting the OFF will not work.

After this file is renamed with ON, all Sage company databases will be reverted to the numbering method used in versions prior to 25.2. Users will see an immediate change when they create a new record. There is no need to open or close the program to see the change.

• The method used to determine the next number for a new record was changed in the initial release of version 25.2 to prevent possible duplication of numbers used in older records. Reverting back to the previous method could result in this duplication occurring.
• If you need to go back to the newer numbering system implemented in version 25.2, you can delete the file rename the file, and change the -ON to -OFF in the file name (don’t delete the dash!).
• If you delete the file, it can be recreated by opening and logging into Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor on the server and then closing it. This automatically recreates the OFF version of the file, so you can revert the default numbering back by changing the -OFF to -ON in the file’s name.
• If you move your Sage program and data to a new server, this file will need to be copied over or recreated on the new server machine.

Sage 100 Contractor: Download Portal

The default number in a field for a new record is higher than expected when NEXT is used for the default entry