Home → EstiMate 2011 → Known Issues → Could Not Convert Variant Of Type (Null) Into Type (OleStr)

3.1. Could Not Convert Variant Of Type (Null) Into Type (OleStr)

In EstiMate, the "number" of a job or estimate is actually a text field that can contain any numbers or letters. This was not an issue in EstiMate 2, but in EstiMate 2011 we have adapted the "Open" list to maintain a separate, hidden numeric index on numbers - which allows the "Open" list to sort properly by number, which was a big complaint about EstiMate 2.

However, this creates a situation where EstiMate 2011 can "choke" on a job or estimate imported from EstiMate 2 that had a blank number.

If you get the error message: "Could Not Convert Variant Of Type (Null) Into Type (OleStr)" when trying to access your open list, then here is the fix for it. You need to change those "Null" job or estimate numbers into an actual value.

Please follow these instructions exactly.

1. Close all open windows in EstiMate.
2. If you are using the multi-user server, switch to single-user mode (click the blue EstiMate logo at the top left, and select "Switch To Single-User Mode."
3. Hold down the SHIFT key and click the blue EstiMate logo again. Now you will see "EstiMate Health Check" at the bottom of the menu.
4. Click on "EstiMate Health Check."
5. From the drop down box, select "Direct SQL Tool."
6. In the "SQL To Execute" box, enter the following (without the quotes): "UPDATE FinDocs SET Number='0' WHERE Number is NULL" <-- copy and paste this from here. Remember NOT to include the quotes.
7. Click the "Execute Statements" button. This will convert all "Null" job or estimate numbers into Zeroes.
8. Close the health check.

That should take care of the problem for you!