Folder structures

The Act! application includes database and system folders that are automatically created either during installation or when a database is created. During installation, folders are created specifically for third-party developers to store add-on solutions or custom controls. All add-on solutions should be stored in the Plugins folder and custom controls should be stored in the Tools folder.

The Root folder, which stores all folders, can be moved or deleted by a user assigned a role that allows them to perform database maintenance. The specific folder where each file type is placed is not user modifiable. From the SDK, you can add or delete files directly to the folders by specifying where you want to place files or by using a call that places files in the default folders. You can use SDK calls to display the data store path so that you can quickly find folders and files. There are also SDK methods to build the shared supplemental file system if it is missing, or to verify that the shared supplemental file system exists and is accessible by the current user.

The following describes the various folders that contain database and supplemental files. (The files contained in the folders can either be shared or personal. See Supplemental files for more information.)  

Folders created during installation

PluginsClosed

The Plugins folder is used to store third-party add-on solutions. The default file path is C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Windows\Plugins.

Print TemplatesClosed

The Print Templates folder contains default templates for printing address books and calendars.

ToolsClosed

The Tools folder is used to store custom controls created by third-party developers. The default path is C:\Program Files\ACT\ACT for Widows\Tools.

EmailClosed (personal and shared)

The Email folder contains email messages that are not associated with contact records.

NetlinksClosed

The Netlinks folder contains the default set of Internet links used in Act!.

SpellClosed (personal)

The Spell folder contains spelling checker dictionaries.

BackupClosed

The Backup folder contains backup copies of your databases.

DatabasesClosed

The Databases folder contains the Act! database file (.ADF), the Act! log file (.ALF) which is the internal transaction log for the Act! data, and the indicator, or "pointer" to the database file (.PAD). The .ADF and .ALF must always exist, and must exist in the same folder to comprise the SQL Server database.

Another file type that is associated with the .adf is the remote database file (.RDF) This file is automatically created when a remote database is created for synchronization. The file itself is not a database, but contains the .adf file which is transported to a remote user. Think of the .rdf as a .zip file that must be unpacked and restored to a remote user's computer to use and synchronize Act! data.

DocumentsClosed (shared)

The Documents folder contains files such as letters, fax cover pages, and memos created in the word-processing application.

LayoutsClosed (personal and shared)

The Layouts folder contains the default and alternate layouts, which define how information is displayed.

QueriesClosed

The Queries folder contains queries you create and save for later use.

ReportsClosed (personal and shared)

The Reports folder contains templates for creating reports and for creating and printing labels and envelopes. Act! provides label and envelope templates for use within a variety of U.S. and international locations.

TemplatesClosed (personal and shared)

The Templates folder contains the Act! word processor and Microsoft Word templates for documents, including letters, memos, fax cover pages, and forms.

Folders created when a database is created

AttachmentsClosed (personal)

The Attachments folder contains files, such as letters created in a word-processing application, that are attached to contacts records.

BackupClosed

The Backup folder contains backup copies of your databases.

DocumentsClosed

The Documents folder contains files such as letters, fax cover pages, and memos created in the word-processing application.

LayoutsClosed

The Layouts folder contains layouts associated with the database.

QueriesClosed

The Queries folder contains queries you create and save for later use.

ReportsClosed

The Reports folder contains reports associated with the database.

TemplatesClosed

The Templates folder contains templates for creating reports and for creating and printing labels and envelopes. Act! provides label and envelope templates for use within a variety of U.S. and international locations.