- Created by BrianQ, last modified by AdrianC on Feb 20, 2023
https://help.myob.com/wiki/x/e4FW
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Using an older MYOB product?
If you're using an older MYOB product, like AccountRight v19 or AccountEdge, there's a new way to activate and confirm your company files. For all the details see Activating and confirming older MYOB products.
Activation protects against software piracy and reassures you that you're using an authentic product that can be trusted with your business data. You'll need to activate new company files or files upgraded from pre-2003 versions.
Activation authenticates your AccountRight serial number (which is stored in your company file) against the MYOB software database, and also records how many company files you’ve activated using that serial number.
Here are some common activation questions. If you're experiencing an activation issue, see activation and confirmation errors.
How often do I need to activate my company file?
You only need to activate each new company file or upgraded company file once.
You need to do this within 30 days of creating or upgrading a file.
After you activate your company file, you'll need to periodically confirm that you are the registered user of that company file. Learn more about confirmation.
How many company files can I activate?
The number of company files you can activate depends on your software licence.
If you're using... | You can activate... |
---|---|
AccountRight Basics, Standard or Plus | One company file |
AccountRight Premier | Two company files |
You can buy additional company files to use with AccountRight. For pricing details, check our website (click the FAQs tab here: Australia | New Zealand).
To buy additional company files or add online services to another company file, please call MYOB on 1300 555 151 (Australia) or 0800 60 69 62 (New Zealand).
I need to activate by phone - what's the number and opening hours?
For details of all our support options, see our Contact us page.
Do I need to activate a company file I have upgraded?
You will only be prompted to activate an upgraded file if the file was created in a pre-2003 software version, eg MYOB Accounting v13, or Premier v7. You only need to activate the upgraded file if you want to continue entering data.
If you upgrade the company file, but you don’t need to record new data in it using the new software version, select the option I only need to view information in this company file (Read-only access) in the Activation window.
What happens if I don’t activate my company file within the required period?
You have 30 days to activate a file from the date you created or upgraded it. Each time you open a company file that hasn't been activated, the Activation window will appear, prompting you to activate. It will also display how many days you have left to activate your file.
After the 30 days has lapsed, the Activation window will show you have zero days left to activate your file. You need to activate the file immediately if you want to continue entering transactions. If you don't activate the file at this time, it will become read-only.
Do I need to activate a company file if I only want to view information?
No. You can open the file in read-only mode, which allows you to access the file and view all information, print reports and export data. Select the I only need to view information in this company file (Read-only access) option in the Activation window. You cannot add new data or make changes to a read-only file.
Should my accountant activate the company file?
No. An accountant or consultant can create a company file on your behalf and provide it to you. However, the accountant or consultant must not activate the company file using the serial number from their software version. Activation needs to be done using your software serial number.
File activation can be performed up to 30 days from the date the file was created, so there is plenty of time for your accountant to provide you with the file to activate yourself.
Which company files do I need to activate?
You only need to activate the company files you currently use to record or edit transactions and data.
You need to activate a file if:
- you are entering or editing transactions or information in the file
- you have restored the file and intend using it to enter transactions
- your accountant needs to enter or edit transactions in the file.
You don't need to activate a file if:
- you only want to view, print or export information from the file
- you created the file for evaluation or training purposes
- you intend to use the file for less than 30 days
- you have restored it to view information or print reports.
You can also defer company file activation by selecting the Activate Later option in the Activation window. The number of days you can defer activation is shown in the Activation window.
How do I find my serial number?
Depending on your scenario, there's a few ways to find your serial number.
If you... | you'll find your serial number... |
---|---|
purchased a point-of-sale activation (POSA) card or voucher from a retail store | in the email we send you (after redeeming your redemption code at myob.com/redeem). Redemption codes are not the same as a serial number and have a different format (15 characters with a mix of letters and numbers, instead of a serial number's 12 digits). |
purchased an AccountRight software CD | on the base of the product box |
purchased or upgraded AccountRight from the MYOB website | in the email confirming your purchase |
downloaded a trial version | in the email confirming your download |
You can also check which serial numbers you’ve registered by logging into my.MYOB: Australia | New Zealand.
Can't find your answer?
Contact us and we'll be happy to help.