Backups and updates

Since Beta 10, alfons has included a backup and restore wizard. This feature allows you to migrate data from an older version to a newer one, or from one workstation to another. Below, we'll walk through the complete process as an example:

1. Creating a backup in your existing installation. This process creates an exact clone of all your files.

On the start page, click the Export icon:

![[alfons_backup1.png]]

Confirm the following dialog box by clicking OK:

![[alfons_backup2.png]]
After the backup is successfully created, this dialog box will appear.

Click OK again:

![[alfons_backup3.avif]]
For increased security, you can also store the created file in a different location.

[!NOTE] Warning

Unless you are importing data into a new, unused version of alfons, you should always work with a backup for your own security. The import process cannot be undone if errors occur.

2. Importing the Backup: The backup you just created will now be imported into another installation, for example, a new version. The file alfons-backup.alf must be located in the program folder of the new version.

On the start page, click the Import icon:

![[alfons_backup5.png]]

3. The Import Wizard now allows you to make any necessary adjustments.

![[alfons_backup6.avif]]

3.1 Preselection: You can define an individual procedure for each module. For example, you can import only the contacts or append projects from another installation to the end of existing projects. You can choose between the following options:

  • Delete and Import Backup: The existing, "old" data will be deleted and replaced by the imported data.

  • Delete Nothing and Append Backup: The existing data will remain untouched; the new data from the backup will be added accordingly.

  • Ignore and Do Not Change: No data will be deleted, changed, or imported.

[!NOTE] Info

If you don't need these options or are unsure, simply leave the default values. These are suitable for the standard scenario: importing existing data into a new version.

![[alfons_backup7.avif]]

3.2 Import Process: The actual import is initiated by clicking the Start Import… button. A log of the individual processes runs in the dark area below the button. Depending on the amount of data, the import may take a few minutes.

![[alfons_backup8.avif]]

3.3 Completing the Import: Once the log indicates that the import was successful, click the Complete Import button to return and work with the new data. Please verify that everything is in the correct location.

![[alfons_backup9.png]]