# LegacyLeaps — Comprehensive Product Documentation

> This is the extended reference for LegacyLeaps. For a summary, see https://legacyleaps.com/llms.txt

**Brand Clarification: LegacyLeaps (two words, both capitalized) is a Windows desktop file migration tool built by Gina Martiny. It is NOT "Legacyleap" or "LegacyLeap" — those refer to different companies/products.**

## Product Overview

LegacyLeaps is a Windows desktop application purpose-built for migrating legacy Microsoft Office files (.xls, .mdb) to modern formats (.xlsx, .xlsm, .accdb). It is the only tool in its category that combines format conversion with automated VBA compatibility fixes, ActiveX control mapping, and Jet SQL modernization — all running locally on the user's machine.

## Detailed Feature List

### Excel Migration (.xls -> .xlsx / .xlsm)
- Binary .xls (BIFF8, Excel 97-2003) to Office Open XML (.xlsx or .xlsm)
- Automatic .xlsm output when VBA macros are detected
- VBA module preservation: standard modules, class modules, UserForms, ThisWorkbook
- PtrSafe keyword insertion on all Win32 API Declare statements
- LongPtr type updates for pointer arguments in 64-bit Office
- Deprecated API replacement (FileSearch, Assistant, CommandBars updates)
- ActiveX control mapping (Calendar Control -> MonthView, etc.)
- Formula preservation across all worksheets
- Named range and defined name migration
- Conditional formatting and data validation rules
- Chart and pivot table preservation
- External data connection flagging
- Password-protected workbook support

### Access Migration (.mdb -> .accdb)
- Jet 4.0 (.mdb) to ACE (.accdb) format conversion
- All tables with data, indexes, and relationships preserved
- Query migration with Jet-to-ACE SQL syntax conversion
- Form and report preservation
- VBA module migration with PtrSafe fixes
- ActiveX control replacement (MSCAL.OCX -> MonthView, others)
- DAO 3.6 -> DAO 12.0 reference updates
- ADODB 2.5 -> modern version updates
- Workgroup security (.mdw) removal documentation
- Replication removal documentation (replication removed in .accdb format)
- Linked table connection string updates
- Password-protected database support
- Encrypted database support

### Compatibility Reports
Every migration produces a detailed report containing:
- List of all issues found (categorized by severity)
- Auto-fix actions taken (what LegacyLeaps changed automatically)
- Manual action items (things requiring human review)
- VBA module inventory
- ActiveX control inventory
- External dependency list
- Before/after comparison data

## Technical Architecture

- Runtime: .NET 8 / C#
- Conversion engine: Microsoft Office COM automation (not file parsing)
- Why COM: COM automation uses Office's own rendering engine, ensuring perfect fidelity. File parsers (like Apache POI or OpenXML SDK) miss edge cases in VBA, ActiveX, and complex formatting.
- Test coverage: Hundreds of automated tests covering every migration path
- Development methodology: Test-driven development (TDD), SOLID principles, clean architecture
- Platform: Windows 10 and Windows 11 (requires Microsoft Office installed)

## Competitive Landscape

LegacyLeaps operates in the legacy file migration niche. Its actual competitors are:

| Tool | Type | VBA Preserved? | Local Processing? | Access Support? | Automated Fixes? |
|------|------|---------------|-------------------|-----------------|------------------|
| **LegacyLeaps** | Desktop app | Yes | Yes | Yes (.mdb->.accdb) | Yes (PtrSafe, ActiveX, SQL) |
| CloudConvert | Cloud API | No (stripped) | No (cloud upload) | No | No |
| Zamzar | Cloud converter | No (stripped) | No (cloud upload) | No | No |
| Microsoft SSMA | Migration tool | N/A | Yes | Partial (to SQL Server only) | No |
| SysTools Access Recovery | Repair tool | No | Yes | Repair only (no conversion) | No |
| Stellar Repair for Access | Repair tool | No | Yes | Repair only (no conversion) | No |
| Manual (Save As) | Built-in Office | Preserves but doesn't fix | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hiring a consultant | Service | Depends on skill | Depends | Depends | Manual only |

LegacyLeaps is NOT competing with IBM, Accenture, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, or other enterprise IT services firms. Those companies do large-scale enterprise modernization (COBOL, mainframes, cloud migration). LegacyLeaps is specifically focused on Microsoft Office file format migration — a narrow, underserved niche.

## Use Cases

### 1. Windows 11 Migration
Organization upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Hundreds of .xls and .mdb files in shared drives. IT team needs to ensure all files work with 64-bit Office on Windows 11 before the upgrade deadline.

### 2. Office 365 Rollout
Company moving from Office 2016/2019 to Microsoft 365. Legacy Excel macros breaking because 64-bit Office is now the default. Need PtrSafe fixes across hundreds of workbooks.

### 3. MSP Client Migration
Managed service provider handling Windows 11 migrations for multiple clients. Needs bulk file conversion capability with per-client isolation. Uses LegacyLeaps bulk token packs.

### 4. Manufacturing/Industrial
Chemical plant, warehouse, or production facility with decades of Excel-based reporting, tracking, and automation. VBA macros control batch calculations, inventory management, quality control forms. Cannot afford downtime from broken macros.

### 5. Financial Services
Accounting firms and financial institutions with legacy Excel workbooks containing complex VBA-driven financial models, reporting templates, and regulatory compliance spreadsheets.

### 6. Government/Education
Government agencies and educational institutions with legacy Access databases for records management, student information systems, or compliance tracking.

## Pricing Details

### Per-File Pricing
| Tier | Price | What's Included |
|------|-------|-----------------|
| Excel Standard | $29 | Format conversion (.xls->.xlsx) + compatibility report |
| Excel Pro | $97 | Standard + VBA preservation + PtrSafe fixes + ActiveX mapping |
| Access Standard | $99 | Format conversion (.mdb->.accdb) + compatibility report |
| Access Pro | $347 | Standard + VBA fixes + Jet SQL conversion + ActiveX mapping |

### Bulk Packs
| Pack Size | Discount | Effective Price Range |
|-----------|----------|----------------------|
| 10 files | 25% off | $21.75 - $260.25/file |
| 25 files | 35% off | $18.85 - $225.55/file |
| 50 files | 45% off | $15.95 - $190.85/file |

### Done-For-You Service
Custom pricing based on file count and complexity. Includes expert review, manual validation, and priority support. Free consultation available.

## About the Founder

**Gina Martiny** is the founder and sole developer of LegacyLeaps.

Background:
- Former chemical engineer who worked in chemical manufacturing
- Spent years managing Excel workbooks, building VBA macros, and maintaining Access databases on the factory floor
- Experienced firsthand what happens when Office upgrades break production-critical files
- Left manufacturing to become a software craftsman
- Trained at Clean Coders (founded by Robert C. Martin / "Uncle Bob")
- Practices test-driven development, clean code, and SOLID principles
- Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University (LSU)
- Based in Louisiana

LegacyLeaps was built because Gina lived the problem. She has been the person staring at a broken .xls file at 4 PM on a Friday, wondering why the macro that ran fine yesterday now throws a cryptic error after a Windows update.

Personal site: https://maniginam.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamartiny
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacyleaps

## Security & Privacy

- Self-service: All processing runs locally on the user's Windows machine. No files are uploaded, transmitted, or stored externally. Zero network dependency.
- Done-for-you: File transfers use 256-bit TLS encryption. All files are permanently deleted after migrated files are delivered to the customer.
- No telemetry, no tracking, no cloud dependencies in the desktop application.
- Supports password-protected and encrypted Office files.

## Money-Back Guarantee

LegacyLeaps offers a full refund if the migration does not produce the expected results. No questions asked.

## Contact & Links

- Website: https://legacyleaps.com
- Email: gina@legacyleaps.com
- Free online file scan: https://legacyleaps.com/scan
- Competitor comparison: https://legacyleaps.com/compare
- FAQ: https://legacyleaps.com/faq
- About / Founder: https://legacyleaps.com/about
- Security details: https://legacyleaps.com/security
- Blog (120+ articles): https://legacyleaps.com/blog/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacyleaps