Frequently Asked Questions

About Jewel

Can Jewel be used on a network?

Yes. However, if two or more computers are doing the same function, such as entering contributions, then the computer that started the operation must be the one to close/finish the operation.

Can Jewel be used for the bookkeeping of an Independent Ministry? There is no tithe or remittance check used.

Yes. If you have no Conference Funds in your Account List, then Jewel will skip the remittance check step of the month-end closing.

Can I have more than one database on one program of Jewel?

Yes. You'll just need to make sure the file names are different, and be careful to put the correct data into the correct database. To open different databases, go to File → Open Database. Select the database you would like to open, then click Open.

Can I run Jewel on a Mac Computer?

Yes. However, Jewel is a Windows-based program. So you must install Windows on your Mac, which generally requires a Windows Emulator application.

How much history can my Jewel database hold?

As much as you need it to! Jewel keeps all data in a compact format, so you can access all data since you started using Jewel. We started in 1999, so some churches now have over 25 years of data accessible at the click of a button!

Opening, Backing Up, or Restoring a Database

How do I restore a backup?

Go to File → Utilities → Restore Full Backup. Find the location where the backup is stored and select the backup (.jlb) file, then click open.

When I try to open my database, an error message comes up saying the file has been moved, deleted, or renamed. How can I open my database?

First, go to File -> Open Database, and look in the Documents\Jewel folder for a file named "Your Church Name.mdb". Select and open that file. Look at the dates of last offering and last check in the lower right-hand corner, and the current month in the lower left-hand corner to verify whether this is the correct database. If it isn't, search your computer for other files with a similar name and check them. If you still can't find your database, you can restore your most recent backup, if that's more recent than the database(s) you've found.

I can't open my database received from the auditor. And/or there is a Windows error message when trying to open database directly from my memory stick. Why can't I open the database?

You are probably trying to open the database with something other than Jewel. Remember: Your database can ONLY be opened IN JEWEL!! You will get error messages when trying to open it any other way.

It is not month-end, but I want to make a back up of my database. How can I perform this process?

From Jewel's Menu Bar, go to File → Create Backup Copy. This will back up your database to the drive specified under Maintenance → Properties → "Create Backup Copy" Destination, the same location you back up to at month end.

Installation and Setup

I am installing Jewel on a new/different computer. However, when trying to download and install, my security system flagged Jewel as a virus. What do I do?

Jewel does not have a virus! Your security system objects to *.exe files being downloaded and run. You will need to tell it to "keep", "run anyway", click "see more", or turn off the security system temporarily until Jewel is installed.

My Jewel window doesn't fit on my screen. How can I see everything?

Go to your Windows settings and adjust your screen scale and/or resolution until the problem is resolved.

Making Corrections

How do I correct a Donor name in a closed month?

1. Go to Start New Offering and change the date to the first day after the last offering you entered (if you have entered March 6 offering, then change the date to March 7.
2. Leave the offering amount blank.
3. Bring up the incorrect name in Contribution Entry. Put a minus sign (-) in front of the cash or check amount. Put a minus sign (-) in front of all the amounts that were entered on that envelope.
4. Click "No" when Jewel asks if you want to do a Trial Deposit.
5. Now, still in Contribution entry, bring up the correct name. Enter the envelope as usual.
6. Go on to Make Deposit and complete the Deposit. (You should have zero for all offerings because you added on one envelope and subtracted on the other.)

How do I void a check in a closed month?

1. To void a check that has already been entered into the computer, click on Accounting → Void a Check.
2. Click on the check you would like to void.
3. If needed, modify the memo field so that it documents what you are doing.
4. Click OK.

How do I correct a check written in the current month?
Go to Reports & Graphs → Check Report and Select (double click) the check you need to correct. Then click on Edit Check, make the necessary corrections and click OK.

How do I correct a Conference Remittance check?
First, you will need to void the incorrect remittance check, by selecting the appropriate check from the Check Report, then edit check, and enter Void in pay to the order of, then click make electronic payment. Once the check is voided, go to Accounting → Make Manual Remittance and enter the correct amount for the remittance check. Click OK to complete the record and print the corrected check.

I've entered a week's contribution in the wrong order - how do I fix it?
Okay. For the sake of explaining, let's call the weeks, week 1 and week 2. You have accidentally entered week 2 BEFORE entering week 1. We are assuming Week 2 was entered under the correct date. What you'll need to do is go ahead and enter week 1, but under a date AFTER week 2's offering (ie Week 2 was March 6, so enter week 1 under March 7). After you have completed week 1's offering, go to the Deposit Report, select Week 1's deposit, and change the offering to the correct date.

If you have entered more than one offering in the wrong order, you will need to either send it to your auditor to fix the dates, or just leave them in the wrong order and make a note of it on your month-end reports.

I accidentally put money in a conference account that should have been a local account. How do I transfer the funds to the appropriate account?
First, you will need to enable transfers from conference accounts. Go to Maintenance → Properties → General tab. Under the section "Options", find the option that says "Allow Transfers Between Conference and Local Accounts" and place a check by it. Now you can go to Transfer Funds and make the appropriate transfer from conference to local funds. Make sure to go back to Properties and Uncheck the allow transfer from Conference option, to avoid accidentally making an incorrect transfer in the future.

How do I correct an offering in a current month?

1. Go to Reports and Graphs → Deposit Report.
2. Double click on the Deposit that needs correction.
3. Click on the Make Corrections button, then click on Trial Deposit.
4. Double click the envelope that needs to be corrected.
5. Click on Edit Envelope and make the necessary correction.
6. Click Close.
7. Click on the NextStep button that says Make Contributions. Click on Edit box in upper left hand corner and change the date and amount to the next offering you need to enter.

You can reprint your weekly report, or just pencil in the change on the report that you printed earlier.

send to auditor send database receive from auditor receive database How do I send my database to my auditor/tech support for corrections?
There are times when you will need the auditor/tech support to make corrections for you. This is done by sending your database to your auditor/tech support. They will make the necessary corrections, and then send the corrected database back to you. Follow these instructions when sending/receiving from your auditor or our tech support:

How to Send/Receive From Auditor
1. First you will need to contact your auditor/tech support either by phone or e-mail and let them know what corrections need to be made.
2. Go to File → File Transfer → Send to Auditor. Jewel will check for an Internet connection, and will immediately send your database to your auditor.
3. Wait for your auditor to complete the database correction. Wait for them to contact you - via phone or email - to let you know the database is ready to be received.
4. Now go to File → File Transfer → Receive From Auditor. Again, you will need an Internet connection for this step as well. Clicking on "Receive from auditor" will replace your current database with the corrected database from your auditor.