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November 10th, 2010

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Background
A number of security enhancements were added to Sage Timberline Office starting with version 9.5.  These changes extend to Event 1 products in that they utilize the Sage Timberline ODBC driver to access Timberline data.  This article deals with several possible causes for the following message to be displayed even though a valid user name and password may be entered when connecting with an Event 1 Software product:

The user name or password you entered is incorrect.  Please enter a valid user name and password
<OK>

Summary
1.  Update to Microsoft Office is required
2.  Need to re-select data folder
3.  Case sensitive user name and password
4.  Password contains Disallowed Characters
5.  Security role does not Include ODBC
6.  No permission granted for data folder
7.  Password set to change on next login
8.  Password has expired
9.  Access to ODBC has been restricted for all users

Cause 1 – Update to Microsoft Office is required
If you are using Event 1 Office Connector with Microsoft Excel XP (2002) or Excel 2003, you may need to install an update to Microsoft Office that resolves a compatibility issue between Microsoft Excel and the Sage Timberline Office ODBC driver.  This issue also impacts you ability to see a list of data folders. Click here to view a knowledgebase article that addresses this issue.

Cause 2 – Need to re-select data folder
If you are opening an Office Connector Excel workbook that was created before upgrading to Sage Timberline Office 9.5 or higher, you may need to re-select the data folder that is associated with the workbook.  Click here to view a knowledgebase article that addresses this issue.

Cause 3 – Case sensitive user name and password
Starting with Sage Timberline Office 9.5, user names and passwords are case sensitive.  Be sure to enter your user name and password with the correct upper or lower case characters.

Cause 4 – Password Contains Disallowed Characters
The following set of characters can be used in your Sage Timberline Office Password but cannot be used with the Sage Timberline Office ODBC driver.  If your Password contains one or more of these characters, change your password in Sage Timberline Office security and try again.
Disallowed Characters:  [ ] { } ( ) , ; ? * = ! @

Cause 5 – Security role does not Include ODBC
This applies to non-admin users.  The user name must be associated with a role that has the ODBC task enabled.  This can be enabled by a Security Administrator by following these instructions:
1. Start Sage Desktop
2. Enter login details and select a company folder
3. Click the Tools menu and click Security Administration
4. Click Role Setup
5. Select an existing role or click Add to create a new one
6. On the Tasks tab, confirm that ODBC is checked
7. Click the Users tab.
8. If the user name does not appear in the list, click Add, select the user name and click OK
9. Click Save Changes
10. Close the window and exit from Security Administration

Cause 6 – No permission granted for data folder
This applies to non-admin users.  The user name must be granted permission to access the data folder.  This can permission can be granted by a Security Administrator by following these instructions:
1. Start Sage Desktop
2. Enter login details and select a company folder
3. Click the Tools menu and click Security Administration
4. Under Security Permissions by Type, click Company
5. In the Companies list, click the name of the company data folder
6. Below the Users list, click Add
7. Select the user name and click OK
8. Click Save Changes
9. Close the window and exit from Security Administration

Cause 7 – Password set to change on next login
You cannot establish a connection using Office Connector if the User must change password at next log on box is checked for the user in the User Setup window within the Security Administration area of Sage Desktop.  You must first change your password by logging in to a Timberline application.

Cause 8 – Password has expired
Passwords for Sage Timberline Office users can be set by a Security Administrator to expire after a specified number of days.  If your password has expired, you will need to establish a new password by logging in to a Timberline application.

Cause 9 – Access to ODBC has been restricted for all users
Access to ODBC can be disabled for all users by a Security Administrator.  To enable access to ODBC, a Security Administrator must follow these instructions:
1. Start Sage Desktop
2. Enter login details and select a company folder
3. Click the Tools menu and click Security Administration
4. Under Security Permissions by Type, click Tasks
5. In the Tasks list, click ODBC
6. Under Task Security Details, uncheck Turn off all sub-tasks
7. Click Save Changes
8. Close the window and exit from Security Administration