Backing up your data

You can back up your database, saving a compressed copy of it somewhere on your computer. Back up regularly to ensure that you always have a recent copy of your data, just to prevent unforeseen problems where data is lost or damaged. It is wise to keep a backup of your database on external media, such as a CD-RW or DVD-RW.

You can manually create a backup or adjust the preferences to automatically backup on quit.

To manually backup your data

  1. Choose File > Backup.
  2. Navigate to the folder in which you want to save the backup.
  3. If you wish, type a name for the backup file in the "Backup to" field.
  4. Click Backup.

    Billings makes a backup of your database in the chosen location.

To set up Billings for automatic backups

  1. Choose Billings > Preferences.
  2. Click General.
  3. Under Backup, select the "Automatically backup on quit" checkbox.
  4. Specify whether you wish to backup always/once a day/once a week.

    All automatic backups are stored in Home folder > Library > Application Support > Billings > Backup.

Billings backups are compressed. In order to access the contents of the backup, double click the backup file (with the extension .tar.gz) and Mac OS X will decompress it, leaving a folder called "Database."

See also

Restoring from a database backup