Symbol Reuse Error
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Stephen Google
Feb 3, 2026, 11:49:09 AM (5 days ago) Feb 3
to Microsoft Money
I’m trying to assign the ISIN GB00BYY5F144 to a UK gilt in Microsoft Money 2005. When I enter the symbol, Money gives an error saying the symbol is already assigned to another investment — but that investment has a completely different reference.
If I search for GB00BYY5F144, Money finds no transactions at all. If I assign the different SEDOL refernce then searching for the SEDOL does find all the transactions, so the investment itself is fine. It looks like Money has a hidden or ghost association for that ISIN somewhere in the database, even though it’s not visible in Portfolio Manager, closed positions, or the watchlist.
Has anyone seen this before, and is there a way to clear or release a stuck symbol in Money 2005?
If I search for GB00BYY5F144, Money finds no transactions at all. If I assign the different SEDOL refernce then searching for the SEDOL does find all the transactions, so the investment itself is fine. It looks like Money has a hidden or ghost association for that ISIN somewhere in the database, even though it’s not visible in Portfolio Manager, closed positions, or the watchlist.
Has anyone seen this before, and is there a way to clear or release a stuck symbol in Money 2005?
Cal Learner
Feb 3, 2026, 8:53:53 PM (5 days ago) Feb 3
to Microsoft Money
Money symbols are limited to 12 characters. I see that your GB00BYY5F144 is 12 characters.
======dealing with reuse of a deleted symbol==============
Symbol reuse happens, but if you "deleted" the investment, you will not find it listed in the Portfolio, even if you select to show closed positions.
If you really want to get rid of symbol GB00BYY5F144 for reuse, try entering a dividend for GB00BYY5F144 into the name of the investment; type those 12 charactersers, and then hit Tab. Choose Dividend. Note that the name in the box may have changed. Finish creating the dividend. (I have only tried with shorter symbols)
Right-click that dividend transaction, and choose GoToInvestment. Click Details. Whatever that investment is, if the symbol is GB00BYY5F144, blank
or change its symbol. If the name is GB00BYY5F144, Rename it to something else.
The symbol GB00BYY5F144 should now be freed up. Delete the fake dividend.
This is also the method to undelete an investment.
======dealing with reuse of a deleted symbol==============
Symbol reuse happens, but if you "deleted" the investment, you will not find it listed in the Portfolio, even if you select to show closed positions.
If you really want to get rid of symbol GB00BYY5F144 for reuse, try entering a dividend for GB00BYY5F144 into the name of the investment; type those 12 charactersers, and then hit Tab. Choose Dividend. Note that the name in the box may have changed. Finish creating the dividend. (I have only tried with shorter symbols)
Right-click that dividend transaction, and choose GoToInvestment. Click Details. Whatever that investment is, if the symbol is GB00BYY5F144, blank
or change its symbol. If the name is GB00BYY5F144, Rename it to something else.
The symbol GB00BYY5F144 should now be freed up. Delete the fake dividend.
This is also the method to undelete an investment.
Ameridan (microsoftmoneyoffline.wordpress.com)
Feb 3, 2026, 9:40:28 PM (5 days ago) Feb 3
to Microsoft Money
Very nice! I added that to another helpful tip by Cal Learner that I published as a Reference page some years back.
Stephen Google
Feb 4, 2026, 7:17:59 AM (4 days ago) Feb 4
to Microsoft Money
Cal's method worked a treat - thanks
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