To make a backup

The company file you wish to back up should be open.

1. Be sure you've made all the accounting entries you want to include in the backup.
2. Choose Backup from the File menu.

If you've chosen to check your company file for errors during the backup process, continue to step 3. If you've chosen not to check your company file for errors, skip to step 4.

Note: If the backup process doesn't work When you installed BusinessBasics, special software used for the backup process was also installed. If an alert message appears when you try to use the Backup command, this software may have been removed from the location where it needs to exist. You'll need to reinstall BusinessBasics. To learn how, see Reinstalling MYOB BusinessBasics.

3. If you've chosen to check your company file for errors during the backup process, a message will appear, describing the data verification process. Click OK in the message to begin the process of checking your company file for errors. (For more information about the BusinessBasics data verification feature, see Verifying company files.)

Note: Data verification will take some time The process of checking your company file for errors is complex and time-consuming. Depending upon the size of your company file, the process may take several minutes.

When the data verification process is complete, a message will appear, describing the results of the test. If the process was successful, continue to step 4.

If the process discovered errors in your company file, we recommend that you optimize the damaged file using the MYOB Optimization Assistant. Although the Optimization Assistant is designed to make your company file more efficient, it also is capable of fixing certain types of data errors that can occur in company files. See Optimizing company files to learn more about optimizing your company file.

Once you've optimized the file, perform the data verification procedure again to determine whether the data errors have been repaired. If errors continue to be discovered, you should strongly consider restoring the most recent backup of your company file and using that company file instead. (We recommend that you check that company file for errors, as well.)

4. A dialog box appears, allowing you to enter a name and select a location for the backup file you're about to create.
5. Enter the name you want to assign to the backup, or accept the default name (which includes the date), and select the location you want to create the backup.

IMPORTANT! Make a note of the name and location of the backup so that it will be easy for you to find the file if you want to restore it at a later time using MYOB BusinessBasics.

Warning: Select the correct location for your backup A location for your backup is automatically displayed in the dialog box. If the location that appears automatically isn't the location where you want to save the backup, select a different location. For example, if you want to store the backup on a removable disk or in another location, be sure to select that location. Use the Drives list to choose the drive (typically D: for removable disk drives) where you want the backup to be located. If you want to store the backup in a folder on the drive, choose the folder you want from the Folders window.

6. Click OK to create the backup.

Related topics
To verify your company file
To verify your company file during the backup process
To optimize a company file