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Backup Data

What it Does​

Saves a copy of everything PMP keeps in your browser to one file on your computer. Use this to protect your work, or to move it to another computer.

PMP does not send your data to a server. Your drafts, measurement sets and memorized commands live in your browser's database, which is named PatternmakerProDB. If you clear your browser data or lose the computer, that data is gone. A backup file lets you bring it back with Restore Data.

The backup holds:

  • Your drafts, including each saved version
  • Measurement sets and their values
  • Memorized commands
  • Settings and custom styles
  • The error log

Keep the file somewhere safe, such as an external drive or cloud storage. Make backups more often the more you depend on PMP.

How to Use​

  1. Select File > Backup Data from the main menu
  2. Your browser saves a file named patternmaker_backup_ followed by today's date, for example patternmaker_backup_2026-10-30.json
  3. Find the file and move it to a safe place. Your browser decides where it goes. Most browsers save it to the Downloads folder, and some ask you where to save it

If something goes wrong, a message starting with "Error creating backup" appears.

Not in the Backup

Imported images and PDFs are not saved in a backup. After you restore, a draft may show an empty image. Use the Link Image Tool to attach the picture file again. Keep your original image files.

Keyboard shortcuts are also not saved. Set them up again after you restore.

tip

Open only one copy of PMP at a time, such as one browser tab. A new version of PMP may need to update the database, and it asks other open copies to close first.