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Backing up and restoring data

Read the full guide to back up

Read the full guide to restoring

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Taking a backup of your data is one of the most important tasks you must perform as part of your normal payroll routines. Sage 50 Payroll contains a Backup Wizard to help make the task of taking regular backups simple.

We recommend that you take regular backups of your data, in case processing errors are made, or in case your data becomes corrupt. Having a recent backup means that you can restore to a pay period before the problem occurred.

Backing up and restoring data

How to back upOpen this section

  1. File > Backup > Next > ensure that Data Files and RTI Files are selected. If you've created or updated any other types of files in your software, such as reports, select these now > Next.

    As an extra precaution, the check box below is used by your software to take a copy of the database.

    It's unlikely that you'll need to use this file, unless you have problems restoring your backups. It can be used to replace your current payroll data if it's corrupt and beyond repair, but you should only do this following advice from Sage Technical Support.

  2. Use the Path box to specify the location and name of your backup:

    Location of the backup

    If you know precisely where you want to store your backup, enter the location in the Path box. Alternatively, use Browse to specify a location.

    Name of the file

    A name is automatically provided. For example, if the processing date is set to 06/04/2013 the name of the file is set to SagePay.<company name>.0113.001.

    The first two digits refer to the tax week in which the backup is taken and the second two digits refer to the tax year. You can enter an alternative name for the backup, but the extension must be .001.
  3.  Next > Finish > OK.

How to restoreOpen this section

Note: Restoring a backup replaces the existing information in your software with the contents from the backup.

  1. File > Restore > select the data to restore > Next > confirm that Data Files is selected. If the backup has any other types of file that you want to restore, such as RTI Files, select these now > Next.

    Note: There are only specific circumstances when you should restore RTI files. You must restore RTI files if installing Sage 50 Payroll onto a new computer. If you're unsure, you should contact Sage Technical Support.

  2. Confirm that the Path box shows the location and name of the backup you want to restore. If required, click Browse to change the details > Next.
  3. Finish > OK.

  4. If required, enter your user name and password > OK.

    Tip: If the password has changed, you must use the original password that was in use at the time the backup was taken.

    The contents of the backup file are now available in your software.

Need more help? You may find the FAQ section useful.

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