Running reports - 'The report could not be loaded'

When running reports to printer or preview, the following message appears with a data path:

'The report could not be loaded'

Run as an administrator

1. Right-click the Sage software shortcut and choose Properties.
2. Click Advanced and select the Run as administrator check box.
3. Click OK and OK again.
4. If prompted, click Continue.
5. If the User Account Control window appears, click Continue.
6. Alternatively, enter an administrator user name and password.
7. Click OK and open the Sage software using the shortcut.
8. Check if the issue is resolved.

Check if this occurs on standard reports and layouts

If the issue is occurring in your 50 Accounts software, you can restore the Sage Reports and layouts only backup, which will restore all standard files. If you're using Sage 50 Payroll and get this error, continue to the run as an administrator section.

If the issue persists, or occurs with all reports and layouts, including customised, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

Show hidden files and folders

Within Windows, ensure that you can see hidden files and folders. Read more >

Check if the report is a shortcut file

The process for this is different between Accounts and Payroll. Select the relevant option below.

• Sage 50 Accounts >

  If the reports folder holds a shortcut to a report file held elsewhere, it appears as a report in the Report Browser window but when you try to generate the report the message: 'The report could not be loaded' appears.

  1. On the menu bar, click Settings then Company Preferences.
  2. Click Reporting and check if the Use Data Path for Reports check box is selected.
  3. Click OK.

  If there is no Use Data Path for Reports option, this is the same as if the option is not active.

  4. On the menu bar, click Help then click About.
  5. In the Program Details section note the directory path as follows:

  • If Use Data Path for Reports is active - Note the data directory path, excluding Accdata
  • If Use Data Path for Reports is not active - Note the settings directory path, then add xxxx\Company.000, where xxxx is your Sage Accounts version number, for example 2023

  6. Press and hold down the Windows key and press E.
  7. Browse to the path you noted in step 5.
  8. Open the Reports folder and open the relevant module folder.

  For example, Customers, then open the relevant folder, for example My Customer Reports.

  9. Locate the relevant report and check the file type.

  The file type must be a Report Designer File.  if the file type is a Shortcut file you must replace this with a copy of the actual Report Designer File.

  
• Sage 50 Payroll >
  1. In your payroll software, click Reports and locate the report causing the error.
  2. Note the filename for this report, under the Filename column to the right.
  3. Right-click the report and click Show in Explorer.
  4. Your Report Directory opens, with the problem report file highlighted.
  5. Right-click the problem report file then click Properties.
  6. Click the General tab and note the Type of file, then click OK.
      NOTE: If the type of file is Shortcut, continue from Step 7 below. If the type of file is Sage Report Designer File, skip to the check the printer driver section.
  7. Right-click the report shortcut and click Open file location.
  8. Right-click the highlighted report and click Copy. 
  9. Paste this report into your Reports Directory. 

  You can now test running this report as normal.