# How do I download and upload DAT files in bulk for CCH Axcess? CCH Axcess uses **.DAT files** to transfer return data between Filed and your tax software. Below is everything you need to know about exporting, uploading, downloading, and managing these files effectively. *** ## Part 1: Exporting .DAT Backup Files from CCH Axcess and Uploading to Filed If your firm uses CCH Axcess without the API Kit, you can still bulk export backup files from CCH Axcess and upload them to Filed manually. ### Step 1 — Export Backup Files from CCH Axcess 1. Log in to **CCH Axcess Tax** and locate your clients. * **Important:** Ensure all clients have been rolled over to the **current tax year** before proceeding. 2. Select the clients you want to export using the **checkboxes**. 3. Go to **Utilities > Export**. 4. Choose: **Returns selected in Return Manager**. 5. Select **Include input data**. 6. Click **Export** — CCH Axcess will send these files to your **Batch Manager** in your CCH Dashboard. ### Step 2 — Download the Backup File from CCH Axcess 1. In your CCH Dashboard, go to **Application Links > Reports > Batch Manager**. * Click **Refresh job status** if needed. 2. Select the export job (this will contain all of the selected backups) and click **Download**. 3. Save the exported **.DAT** file somewhere easy to find on your machine. ### Step 3 — Upload Backups to Filed 1. Log in to **Filed**. 2. Navigate to **Connections > Tax Software**. 3. Under **CCH Axcess Tax**, click the **three-dot menu**. 4. Select **Sync Clients > Upload**. 5. Drag and drop your **.DAT** backup file, or browse to select it. 6. Click **Upload**. You're all set! *** ## Part 2: Downloading .DAT Files in Bulk from Filed Once your returns reach a **Data Entry Complete** status in Filed, you can also download the corresponding .DAT files in bulk directly from Filed and import them back into CCH Axcess. 1. Navigate to **Connections > Tax Software**. 2. Find your **CCH Axcess Tax** integration and click the **three dots** next to it. 3. Select **Download Backups**. 4. Search or scroll through the list to select the specific clients you wish to download. 5. Download the bulk .DAT files and import them into CCH Axcess via **Return Manager**. *** ## Part 3: What Happens When You Click "Start AI Tax Prep"? After uploading your .DAT files through the Integrations page, you're ready to start Tax Prep. When you click **Start AI Tax Prep** and the prompt appears, you have two options: 1. **Upload an updated .DAT file** — only needed if changes were made to that client in CCH Axcess since the original bulk upload (e.g., extensions filed, new income added, etc.). 2. **OR simply enter the Client ID** — if nothing has changed since the last upload, just paste the Client ID and you're good to go. You can find the Client ID in either: * **Return Manager** in CCH Axcess, or * The **Sync Clients** section in the Integrations page — search for the client and copy the ID. **Note:** In some cases, Filed will automatically match the client and you won't need to take any additional action. The prompt is simply there to confirm whether you have a fresher .DAT file to provide, or whether the one already on file is good to use. **Double syncing is fine** — if you accidentally sync a client more than once, this will not cause any issues. Our AI model will always use the most up-to-date .DAT file that has been synced or uploaded. However, if Filed is unable to automatically match the client, it will prompt you to manually confirm or enter the Client ID before proceeding. *** ## Part 4: About the Randomized File IDs on .DAT Files You may notice that downloaded .DAT files appear to have **randomized ID codes** in their filenames rather than your client ID numbers. This is expected behavior — you do not need to rename or modify the files. When the .DAT file is opened, it contains the **correct Client ID and software configuration** that matches what was originally synced from CCH Axcess. The randomized filename is simply how Filed labels the file externally and does not affect the data inside. *** ## Part 5: Important — Always Use the Most Up-to-Date .DAT File The .DAT file that Filed uses to prepare the return reflects the **state of the return at the time it was uploaded**. If changes are made to a client's return in CCH Axcess after the file was uploaded — such as filing an extension, adding income, or making other modifications — Filed will only have the data from the original upload. **Best practice:** Before kicking off Tax Prep, always re-upload the latest .DAT file from CCH Axcess to ensure Filed has the most current data. This applies to both individual and bulk uploads. **Example:** If you upload a .DAT file for a client today but don't run Tax Prep until next month, and changes were made to that client's return in the meantime, you'll want to re-upload the updated .DAT file before starting prep. *** *** Legacy URL: --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.filed.com/filed-help-center/integrations/cch-axcess/how-do-i-download-and-upload-dat-files-in-bulk-for-cch-axcess.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.