Nightly backups happen on their own, but sometimes you want a backup right now. Maybe you are about to try something new, or you want a copy of your database to keep on your own computer. Both take just a click or two.
If you have not read it yet, how backups work explains what a backup contains and how long we keep them. The short version: a backup is a copy of your site's database, and we keep each one for two weeks.
Create a backup on the spot
Open your site and go to the Backups tab. In the header at the top of the page you will find a Backup button. Click it, and we start creating a backup of your site's database right away.
📷 Screenshot: The Backups tab with the "Backup" button highlighted in the site header.
The list of backups refreshes itself every few seconds, so your new backup will appear on its own once it is ready. There is no need to reload the page.
A manual backup is a good habit before any big change:
- Installing or removing a module
- A large import or bulk edit
- Reorganizing your exhibits or collections
If something does not go the way you hoped, you can restore the backup and pick up where you left off.
Download a backup
Every backup in the list has a Download action in its row. Click it and the backup comes down to your computer as a zip file.
📷 Screenshot: A backup row with its actions menu open, showing the Download and Delete options.
Downloading matters more than you might think. We automatically remove backups that are older than two weeks, so if there is a snapshot you want to keep (say, the state of your site at the end of a semester or before a big migration), download it and store it somewhere safe. Your own copy is yours forever.
Delete a backup
Each row also has a Delete action if you want to remove a backup yourself. You will be asked to confirm first. Since old backups are cleaned up automatically anyway, most people never need this, but it is there if you want to tidy up.
What about my uploaded files?
Remember that these backups cover your database only. The images, PDFs, and other media you upload are stored separately and are not inside the zip file. If you need a full copy of your uploaded files, open a support ticket and we will help you out.