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This page contains frequently asked questions related to the usage of the program.

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h1. General FAQ

h2. Is it possible to rearrange load patterns using interactive database editing?

You cannot re-order rows in the Interactive Database editor. Although the order is not important in most tables, it is important in some (e.g. points in a function).

When you go to Excel from the Editor, rearrange, and bring the results back to the Editor, you haven’t really changed anything. After Apply To Model, the program checks for changes, updates any definitions, and then refills the table. However, the internal ordering has not changed, and this is used to refill the table. You can imagine that trying to reorder this way would be ambiguous if you didn’t have all the load patterns in the table when you started the editing.

To reorder Load Cases, you can use the up/down arrows on the form. There is no equivalent for Load Patterns. The best way to accomplish this is to export the ENTIRE model to Text, Access, or Excel, reorder the Load Patterns in the Load Pattern definition table, and re-import the ENTIRE model. The internal order will be set by the order in which the items are defined.

h2. How can I import data to SAP2000?

 _See [Import FAQ] page._

h2. How can I recover the SDB file for my model?

*Extended Question:* My computer crashed and the SDB file for my model get corrupted. How can I recover the SDB file?

*Answer:* You could attempt to recover the file by either opening the model backup file in binary format (file with SBK extension created automatically by the program in model directory) or by importing  the model backup file in text format (file with S$K extension created automatically by the program in model directory).

h2. My help file is not working. How can I resolve it?

In SAP2000 program folder (typically, C:\Program Files\Computers & Structures\SAP2000 14), locate the SAP2000.chm file and do the following: 

# Right-click the CHM file, and then click Properties.
# Click Unblock.
# Double-click the *.chm file to open the file.

If the help file opens without any issues, you should be able to access it from within the program.

{related-incident:no=24078|comment=Unable to use help file after upgrading to V14.2.0.}