> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.filed.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.filed.com/reference/plugins/tax-software/drake.md). # Drake Filed integrates with Drake Tax through two paths: the standard workflow uses the Prowork App installed on a Windows workstation that runs Drake Tax, and the backup-file workflow serves firms using Rightworks hosted environments where the Prowork App cannot be installed. ## What this integration does Filed supports automated data entry for Drake Tax: after AI preparation is complete, Filed enters the finished data directly into the client's Drake return on the connected workstation. Filed can also sync your client list from Drake so it can match prepared returns to the right clients and let you search and manage them in Filed. Filed also reads the client's current Drake return before it enters anything, so it can tell what is already there. Where the return already holds a value — a name, an EIN, a bank's details carried forward from last year — Filed keeps what Drake has instead of overwriting it, and only enters the amounts that changed. To do this, Filed takes a backup of the client from your Drake, restores a copy on a Filed machine, and reads the values from it; the copy is removed once it has been read, and nothing is written back to your Drake by this step. On the Rightworks (backup-file) workflow, source documents and a Drake backup file are uploaded to Filed manually, and the completed backup is restored into Drake once preparation is done. ## Prerequisites * Drake Tax installed on a Windows workstation (standard workflow), or access to a Rightworks-hosted Drake environment. * Admin access to Drake Tax to create and restore backup files. * For the standard workflow: the Prowork App, available to download during the connection setup flow in Filed. * An always-on Windows machine is recommended to keep the Prowork App connection stable. ## Connecting Drake to Filed Follow the interactive walkthrough below to link your Drake Tax software to Filed: navigate to Connect in Filed and select Drake, download and install the Prowork App on the Drake workstation, then sign in with your Connection ID and Password, point it at the Drake data folder, and activate the connection. {% embed url="" %} The Prowork App can be installed on more than one workstation. If the machine running the app restarts or the app closes, reopen it and sign in before Filed's next sync. ## Syncing clients from Drake Once Drake is connected, sync your client list so Filed can match prepared returns to the right clients and let you quickly search and manage clients in Filed. Follow the interactive walkthrough below. {% embed url="" %} ## Tax prep workflow - standard (with Prowork App) Once the Prowork App is connected, open the client in Filed and click Start Tax Prep. Provide the client's source documents and prior-year return. Filed's AI prepares the return and, when complete, enters the finished data directly into the client's Drake return on the connected workstation. Review the return in Drake and finalize before filing. ## Tax prep workflow - Rightworks (without Prowork App) Rightworks is a hosted environment where the Prowork App cannot be installed. For these firms, you exchange Drake backup files manually. **Part 1 - Create and upload a Drake backup:** **Part 2 - AI preparation runs:** Filed prepares the return using the uploaded backup and source documents. When preparation is complete, you receive an email and in-app notification and the status updates to "Data Entry Completed." **Part 3 - Download and restore in Drake:** **Rolling back to the original version:** If you need the return as it was before Filed's preparation, download the "Sync by Filed" version from the backups list (the earliest entry, shown at the bottom of the list). ## Troubleshooting ### Prowork App disconnects or connection goes inactive The most common cause is that the machine restarted, the user logged out, or a network interruption caused the app to go offline. Reopen the Prowork App on the Drake workstation, re-enter credentials if prompted, and verify that the connection shows "Connection active." Setting the machine as always-on reduces the frequency of this issue. ### Backup file won't import into Drake * Make sure the file is extracted and unzipped before attempting the import. * Confirm the data location selected in Drake matches where the backup file was saved. * If Drake warns that the client already exists, click Yes to overwrite - this is the expected prompt. * If Drake asks whether to open in data entry, click Yes. ### Data entry errors or missing fields after restore Review the return in Drake after restore to verify all fields are populated correctly. If specific fields are incorrect, correct them manually in Drake. If data entry failed entirely, re-download the "Prepared by Filed" backup and attempt the restore again. ## Frequently asked questions **Can I use Drake Tax if my firm uses Rightworks?** Yes. Use the backup-file workflow described above. **Do I need the Prowork App if I use Rightworks?** No. The backup-file workflow requires no Prowork App installation. **What is the difference between the "Prepared by Filed" and "Sync by Filed" backup versions?** "Prepared by Filed" is the completed backup after AI preparation and data entry. "Sync by Filed" is the earliest backup, capturing the return as it was when it was first synced or uploaded to Filed. Use "Sync by Filed" to roll back to the original state. **Can I run multiple Drake backups for the same client?** Yes. Each time you upload a backup for a client, it becomes the version Filed uses for the next preparation run. Prior uploads are retained in the backups list. **What if a new client was not rolled over from the prior year in Drake?** Create the client in Drake first, then export a backup to upload to Filed. Filed cannot prepare a return without a Drake backup that contains a valid client record. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.filed.com/reference/plugins/tax-software/drake.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. 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