Getting Started

Everything you need to run Just FAR the first time: download, install, open or create a client file, understand the financial year, and set up backups.

1. Download & install

Get the right edition for the job:

  • Client edition — for the business / a single client file.
  • Firm edition — for the CA practice, to manage many clients.

Each is a self-contained Windows executable (roughly 66 MB). No .NET runtime to install, no account, no internet required. Just save the file and double-click it.

Windows SmartScreen. Because the file isn't code-signed yet, Windows may show "More info" → "Run anyway" on first launch. This is normal for new, portable software.

2. Open or create a client file

Every client is a portable .fardb file — a small SQLite database. On launch Just FAR shows a welcome screen with two choices:

  • Open File… — pick an existing .fardb (e.g. one emailed to you or on a shared drive).
  • New File… — create a new client. Name the file, then enter the company's details in the profile.

After opening, the title bar shows the client name and the current financial year.

Make .fardb open on double-click (optional)

Run this once per machine to register the file association:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File register-fardb.ps1 -ExePath "C:\Path\To\JustFAR.exe"

After that, double-clicking a .fardb opens it straight in Just FAR.

3. Understand the financial year

The whole register is viewable per financial year. The FY selector sits in the top-right of the main window (labelled FY). Choose the year you're working on and every screen — dashboard, grid, reports — recalculates to it.

By default the financial year starts in April (India). You set this per client in the company profile.

Change the FY start month early. If you change it after assets exist, Just FAR recalculates every past year from the asset dates. Set it correctly before you add data.

4. Backup before you bulk-load

Before a large import or any schema change, take a backup. File → Backup saves a copy of the .fardb. Use File → Restore to bring it back.

A few good habits:

  • Work on a local copy, not directly in OneDrive/Dropbox — those can lock the file while it's open.
  • Only one computer should edit a given .fardb at a time.
  • Archive the .fardb alongside the journal/ledger each year-end.

5. Meet the main window

The interface is deliberately accounting-software style: a top ribbon with tabs (Home, Assets, Reports, Setup, File), a page area for the current view, and a status bar at the bottom.

  • Home — the dashboard (financial overview + class-wise summary).
  • Assets — the asset register grid, plus Add / Edit / Dispose / Delete.
  • Reports — export the FAR schedule, registers, Schedule III, and journal vouchers.
  • Setup — masters (classes, locations, custodians, ERP ledgers) and the company profile.
  • File — open, new, backup, restore, audit log, integrity check, about, exit.

Keyboard shortcuts are supported throughout: Ctrl+N new asset, Enter edit selected, Delete remove selected.

6. What's next?

Once the file is open and the FY is set, build your masters — that's the next section of this guide.

Masters: Classes, Locations & Custodians