Castaway File type Glossary

The main file types you will come across when using Castaway are:

Forecast (*.pxif) This files contains all the data for a forecast model.

Template (*.pxit) This file contains all the structure of a forecast model such as element names and settings, but none of the figures.

It is designed to be used to base a new forecast on and is a great feature when utilising the consolidation option. To learn how to use template refer to Working with Templates

Consolidation (*.pxic) Can only be created or opened with the Consolidations Add-on Module. Consolidations aggregate forecast files for different business units to create a single larger business entity

Mapping (*.pxim) Can only be created or used with Integrations. (Forecast > External Sources) This file stores the mapping table that shows how accounts/nominals/records from an external source are linked to the Castaway chart of accounts.

To learn more about the mapping file, refer to Mapping File

Backup Files (*.pxif.backup) While working on a file, Castaway creates/updates a version of the last saved copy as a hidden backup file in the same location as the saved working file.

You can recover this file by:

1. Navigating to the file location in Windows Explorer (ensure your folder properties are set to show hidden files & folders)

2. Make a copy of the backup file (i.e. copy/paste function in Explorer)

3. Remove the extension .backup from the file to revert it back to a Castaway forecast file.

It is important not to rely solely on this functionality which should be used in conjunction to your internal file backup procedures.

Autosave Files (*.autosave.pxif) Castaway is set by default to autosave every 5 minutes, and create/update an authosave file at the same location as the saved working file.

Recover Files (*.recover.pxif) After an event of unexpected application failure, When you restart Castaway and select the file you were working on before, a window will appear and ask you if you wish to open autosaved project. If you Select Yes to open the file, in the background, Castaway will then save this newly opened file in the same data folder with a filename of (*.recover.pxif) 

Read Only Castaway files will become read only (i.e. you will be able to Read only access the file, but not make any changes to them) in the following scenarios:

1. File properties are set to 'Read Only in Windows Explorer
2. A file you are trying to access is opened in an other instance of Castaway
3. A file you are trying to access is part of a consolidation that you currently have open
4. Your Castaway licence has expired

You can refer to Resolving Read-Only forecasts if your file is open in read only.