Upgrading to a new version of ZDN (usually released about every 6 months or so) is recommended to get all the latest features and bug fixes. Upgrading the software (e.g. ZDN v2.3) is as simple as downloading the newest version and re-connecting to your datafile (like you did during installation).

However, your older datafiles (ZDN Support Files > Datafiles) likely need to be upgraded to work with the latest software.

If you have not yet changed/added any data.

• Simply replace your existing ZDN program and files with the new versions
  • Remove both the old version and the ZDN Support Files folder
  • Download new version
  • Follow original installation instructions

If you HAVE entered data about your zoo, feeds, animals, or diets…

Upgrading to v2.3 (from 2.2 or earlier)

• In ZDN:
  • Open up the new version of ZDN
  • Go to Settings (or the Settings Setup pop-up that appears if no datafile is linked yet) V2.2 and later: click the “update datafile” button.
  • Follow the steps to link to your old datafile (v2.1 and earlier: BUT click “NO” when asked if you want to load the new file. If you do accidentally click Yes, cancel out of all the errors and repeat this step.)
  • Click the “Update datafile Part A” button and follow the pop-up instructions carefully.
• In the datafile:
  • Click the “Update Datafile Part B” button.
  • Quit the datafile
• Reopen ZDN, and relink it (in Settings) to your updated datafile.

You may want to move two files from the new ZDN Support Files folder to your existing installation:

• Move the NaviGatorIcon3.ico file from your new ZDN Support Files > Images folder to your existing Images folder
• Move the new DietAnalysis_2.2.xltm file from your new ZDN Support Files > Templates folder to your existing Templates folder

Upgrading to v2.4 (from 2.3)

Note – you do NOT need to go through the upgrade process to upgrade your datafiles from 2.3 to 2.4.

Tips and tricks:

• Be sure to update your analysis spreadsheets to the new v2.3 ones
  • File Explorer: Copy 2.3 versions of both templates from your download to ZDN Support Files > Templates
  • ZDN: Settings > Diet Analysis – change to 2.3 versions
• Depending on your updating process, you may run into issues with the NUTR_DEF table. I changed the name of “BGT_Name” to “Local_Name”. If you get a message about this:
  • Open up your datafile (make sure you and everyone else using it has quit ZDN first)
  • Press [F11] to show tables (if they aren’t already showing down the left side)
  • Open up “NUTR_DEF” table
  • Either:
    • Select the column called “BGT_Name” and copy it to the “Local_Name” column
    • or
    • Rename the column called “BGT_Name” to “Local_Name” (right click on NUTR_DEF and choose “Design View”)
  • While you are there, “Compact and Repair” (Database Tools  > Compact and Repair) the datafile.
• Even once you do that, you might run into issues with calories and some other nutrients not showing up in the analysis. If this is the case:
  • Download the latest version (2.3.03) and open the sample file.
  • Open your datafile
  • Arrange the two windows so you can see both
  • Open the NUTR_DEF table in both windows
  • Drag the columns around until they match each other
  • Delete everything from NUTR_DEF in your file
  • Copy and paste everything from the SampleZoo NUTR_DEF table into your table.
  • Compact and Repair (Database Tools  > Compact and Repair) the datafile.
  • If you get a message about deleting relationships:
    • Open Database Tools > Relationships
    • Find the NUTR_DEF table and delete all the lines that go to it
    • Try the above steps again
    • Email Heidi if you have trouble – this can get tricky.