Error: 'Unable to open Audit Trail'

When you set a new pay period or process payroll, the following message appears:

'Unable to open Audit Trail'

This issue occurs when the payroll’s audit files are too large to clear down. Common causes include:

• The Audit retention setting is too high or not set

• Extra files, such as backups PAYBACK.CTL, PAYBACK.CRC, PAYBACK.001 or reports, saved in the Payroll folder

• A combination of both

Replace the audit files with a clean set, then remove files that don’t belong in the Payroll folder to prevent recurrence.

 CAUTION: Don't remove the PAYBACK files from the Archive folder. These are part of your previous period archives. Only remove PAYBACK files from the root Payroll folder. 

If you're unsure, contact Sage technical support or your Sage-accredited business partner before removing any files.

1. Open Sage 50 Payroll Ireland and log in as the system administrator.
2. On the menu bar, go to Company, then select Company Setup.
   NOTE: If prompted to update the password or recreate data files, choose Recreate payroll database if no other payroll uses blank.
3. Select Add New Payroll, then enter the following information:
   

   Payroll ID	Type blank.
   Licence Name	Select your company's name.
   Password	Enter a password.
   Frequency	Select a pay frequency; it doesn't  need to match the payroll.

4. Select Create, then Close.
5. Go to Help, then select System Information.
6. Select the Data Directory link.
7. Open the BLANK folder.
8. On your keyboard, hold Ctrl, then select the following files:
   
   • PAYAUDIT.CDX
   • PAYAUDIT.DBF
9. Right-click, then select Copy.
10. Go to and open the affected payroll folder.
11. Right-click a blank area of the window, then select Paste.
12. Select Copy and Replace.
13. Close and reopen Sage 50 Payroll Ireland.