AbtracOnLine access requires a valid username (email address) and a secure password.
This guide explains password requirements in Abtrac, how to update login details, reset a forgotten password, and provides explanations as to why sessions sometimes expire.
Abtrac Password Requirements
Password length
- Minimum of 8 characters
- Maximum of 50 characters
Password complexity
Passwords must include at least one character from three of the following four categories:
- Uppercase letters (A–Z)
- Lowercase letters (a–z)
- Numbers (0–9)
- Symbols (see list below)
For example “Welcome1” is an acceptable password as it includes uppercase, lowercase and a number (satisfying three conditions).
Allowed characters
Uppercase letters: A–Z
Lowercase letters: a–z
Numbers: 0–9
Symbols:@ # $ % ^ & * - _ ! + = [ ] { } | \ : ' , . ? / \ ~ ” ( ) ; < >`
(blank space is also allowed)
Read more about Password Security and tips for secure passwords here
Abtrac Username requirements (Email Address)
Your username in Abtrac must be a valid email address.
This address is used:
- When sending emails from Abtrac
- For password resets and account verification
If your original login was automatically created as part of a data migration (e.g. John.Smith@mycompany), you should update it to your current email address.
Keeping your login details accurate ensures Abtrac can send password resets and notifications correctly.
Changing Your Own Login Details: Standard User
Resetting Login details: For a logged in user
From Home, click on the profile symbol >> choose Change Login Details.
At the ‘Change Login Details’ screen, you can edit your username(email address) or password, or both.
Once a change is made and saved, you’ll be automatically logged out of the system and will need to log back in with your new credentials.
If you are new to AbtracOnLine, then whilst updating your login details, you may also want to check your settings in User Specific Settings.
Here you can update the email Bcc address in Abtrac. This is not related to your login and can be a different email address to your username (e.g [email protected] etc – as such it will not automatically update) It is used to send copies of any invoices/reports emailed from Abtrac.
From ‘User Specific Settings’, you can also specify the ‘page size’ – that is how many rows are displayed in all tables in Abtrac – just for your login. Instructions are here.
Forgotten Password
Reset Password
If you’ve forgotten your password or are locked out:
- On the login screen, click “Forgotten your password?”
- Enter your username (email address).
- You’ll receive an email with a temporary password.
- Log in using that password, then go to Home → Change Login Details to set a new one.
If you don’t receive the reset email within a few minutes, check your junk or spam folder, or confirm your username is a valid email address.
Session Duration and Auto-Logout
Why Your Machine Might Not Stay Logged In with the 12-Hour Login Feature
Abtrac offers an extended login duration of up to 12 hours, allowing users to stay logged in without repeated authentication.
This is useful for those who work intermittently across a day.
To maintain this connection, the system relies on the user’s browser regularly sending a “ping” to Abtrac’s servers. For this to happen, the Abtrac tab must remain open (though it doesn’t need to be active), and the internet connection must remain live.
Common causes for unexpected logouts include:
- Internet dropouts, which prevent the system from receiving the ping.
- Computer sleep or hibernation, which cuts the connection.
- Power-saving settings that disable the network adapter or background tabs.
- Browser features, like Microsoft Edge’s “sleeping tabs,” which pause background processes.
Read more on how to avoid interruptions to the 12 hour login here
Administrators: Managing Employee Logins
Resetting Login details and defining access rights: For an administrator
From Home, choose Administration >> Employees >> Login Management
An administrator can then view a list of all current employees and logins (usernames) and is able to edit login records as required.
Employee Logins are only available for current employees. Once an employee is non-current, you cannot create or amend a login for them, and they are unable to log in to Abtrac.
From ‘Edit Employee Login’, an administrator can also specify which user groups employees belong to. (‘User Group Management’ allows menu options in Abtrac to be restricted or enabled at login, these are based on pre-selected User Groups and Access Privileges.)
N.B. Although the password field is blank in the ‘Edit Employee Login’ screen, the employee’s current password will apply. Entering a new password here will overwrite any pre-existing password set by the user.
You must choose a secure password (there are tips for secure passwords in this article).
Setting Authentication and password requirements: As an Administrator
From Home, choose Administration >Settings >System Settings > Employees. Here you can set up or enforce authentication for all users, and force a rolling password reset.
Set up or enforce Authentication for all users
Go to Administration >Settings >System Settings > Employees and select the checkbox to enable 2FA for all users.
Read Two-Factor Authentication in Abtrac for setup steps and recommendations.
Force a rolling password reset
To require all users to change their passwords, go to Administration → Settings → System Settings → Employees and use the rolling password reset option.
Abtrac KB# 2050