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Restore Data

What it Does​

Reads a file made with Backup Data and puts its drafts, measurement sets, memorized commands, settings and custom styles back into your browser. Use this after losing your data, or to move your work to another computer.

You choose how the backup is restored:

  • Replace Everything. Your browser is made to match the backup. Each kind of item that is in the backup file is emptied first, then filled from the backup. Drafts, versions and measurement sets made after the backup was taken are deleted.
  • Add and Overwrite Only. Everything in the backup is added, and an item that is already in your browser is replaced by the backup version when it is the same item. Nothing else is deleted. A draft you worked on since the backup keeps its newer versions, so it is not rolled back to the backup.
danger

Replace Everything cannot be undone. Make a backup of your current data first with Backup Data if you are not sure.

How to Use​

  1. Select File > Restore Data from the main menu
  2. Your browser opens its own file window. Select the backup file. These are .json files
  3. A window asks how to restore the backup. Select Add and Overwrite Only, Replace Everything, or Cancel to stop
  4. If you chose Replace Everything, a message from your browser asks you to confirm. Select OK to continue or Cancel to stop
  5. Wait while the data is read. For Replace Everything the whole file is checked first, so a damaged file is found before anything is deleted
  6. A message says "Data restored successfully!" Select OK
  7. PMP reloads the page and you can start working. After Replace Everything, no draft is open, so open one with Open Existing Draft

If something goes wrong, a message starting with "Error restoring data" appears. You can try again.

tip

Use Add and Overwrite Only to bring back a draft you deleted by mistake, or to copy your work to another computer without losing anything already there. Use Replace Everything to put this browser back exactly the way it was when the backup was made.

Images and Shortcuts

Backups do not include imported images and PDFs, and Replace Everything does not touch them either. A restored draft may need the Link Image Tool to attach the picture file again. Keyboard shortcuts are not in a backup, so set them up again.