Backing up and restoring company files

Backing up is the copying of a company file to some form of storage medium, such as a CD, a different hard disk, or other media. You can also use the backup function in your software to create a compressed archive file that takes up less space.

The Restore command closes the company file you’re currently using, decompresses a backup file so you can use it, and then opens the backup file.

Backing up to a Dropbox account

If you want, you can back up your company file to your Dropbox account. This offers you an offsite backup option.

You can back up and restore your company file to Dropbox from the File menu or when you are prompted to back up your file, for example when you close your company file.

Precautions when backing up

Avoid common mistakes that can cause you to lose backups of company files:

■	Don’t store backups on the same hard disk as the software A single disaster can wipe out all your records.

■	Make separate backups A disk failure can corrupt your data in such a way that you may not notice it during a session. If you accidentally copy the damaged data over your previous backup, the backup is no longer valid.

Without a valid backup, you will need to re-create your company file. You can reduce the risk by making separate backups to protect your company data—for example, at the end of each business day.

■	Store backups offsite Store all your backups in a safe place, preferably away from your office. Except for daily rotational backups, do not re-use media.

To make a backup of your company file

1	Go to the File menu and choose Backup. A backup window appears.

caution : If the backup process does not work

When you installed your software, special software needed for the backup process was also installed. If a 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 may need to re-install your software to use this feature. Alternatively, you can contact Support for help.

2	Choose the type of backup you want:

■	To back up your company file and templates, click Backup all data.

■	To back up your company file only, click Backup Company File only.

3	Choose whether to check your company file for errors before making your backup by selecting one of the options.

4	Select a location option for your backup:

■	To back up to your local disk, to a different hard disk or to other media (such as a zip disk), select To a Disk.

■	To back up to a Dropbox account, select Dropbox.

Note that before you can back up to Dropbox, you must have a Dropbox account through Dropbox, Inc. For more information about Dropbox accounts, see www.dropbox.com.

5	Click Continue.

6	If you selected the Do not check Company File for errors option, the Save window appears. Go to step 8 below.

7	If you selected the Check Company File for errors option, the verification process may take several minutes.

When the verification process finishes, click OK in the window that appears. Note that this window appears whether or not errors have been found in the company file.

The Save window appears.

8	Specify where you want to store the backup file.

A default filename is assigned:

Default filename

further details

MYOmmdd.zip

•	mmdd is the month and day from your computer’s clock

•	.zip is the file extension and cannot be changed.

Backup mm-dd-yyyy filename.zip

•	mm-dd-yyyy is the date from your computer’s clock

•	filename is your company file name

•	.zip is the file extension and cannot be changed.

9	If you want, you can change the name of the backup file. Note that you should name your backups with enough information to tell you when they were from and where you were up to in data entry—for example, ‘Monday 5/5/12’ or ‘Backup as of 5/5/12’.

10	Click Save. The backup process begins.

11	If you are storing the backup file on a removable storage device, label them clearly, so you know exactly when the backup was done.

To restore a backup

1	Go to the File menu and choose Restore. The Open window appears.

If the Prompt for Data Backup When Closing option is selected in the Preferences window, a window appears asking if you want to back up your company file. If you want to back up your company file now, click Yes and follow the prompts, otherwise click No.

2	In the RestoreOpen window, select the backup file you want to restore and click Open.

note :

If the backup file is on a removable disk, insert the disk into the disk drive.

3	Specify where you want to save the restored file and click Choose. By default, the name of the restored file is appended with ‘.old’ and is then restored to the specified location.

4	A message appears showing that the company file will be restored to the selected folder.

5	Click OK to complete the restore. The Command Center window appears so you can proceed working with the restored file.

note : Restoring from a CD

If you are restoring a backup file from a CD, copy the file from the CD or device onto your computer before beginning the Restore process.

To restore from Dropbox

1	Go to the File menu, choose Restore and then choose the From Dropbox option. The software verifies that there is valid Dropbox information.

a	If Dropbox information is available, the Open window appears.

b	If Dropbox information is not available, you are advised to find the location where you can find your backup file.

2	Select the file you want to restore and click Save. The Save window appears.

3	Specify the location for the file to be restored.