Backing Up and Restoring Your Data

Since ChurchTrac's data is always stored on your computer, you should regularly create a backup of your data and save it to a safe location such as a flash drive, external drive, or online (subscription required). This protects your data in case of a computer or hard drive failure.

Below you'll find instructions on both creating a backup file and restoring a backup file, with video tutorials for each.

PART 1: HOW TO BACK UP YOUR DATA FILE

Creating a Backup File

To back up your ChurchTrac data, go to the Utilities screen and click Backup/Restore Data on the main toolbar.

Saving the Backup File on Your Computer

If you choose to back up your file on your computer, a disc, USB or other external drive, click the Save the backup file on your computer option. Then you can browse to select where you want to create the backup file. We recommend that you save the backup file on an external drive, and not on your computer. If something happens to your computer, you will lose both your data and your backups!

Then click the blue Create the Backup button at the bottom of the screen.

Note: ChurchTrac has an Encryption feature which allows you to password-protect your backup files. However, if you forget the password, or if you don’t know the password that was used to create the backup file, then you will not be able to restore your data. The ChurchTrac support staff is unable to recover or reset lost passwords, so use this feature carefully.

Saving the Backup File Online

A second option is to upload your backup file to the online server instead of saving the file locally. This option will keep your data safe from computer crashes, theft, fire or other disasters since the backup files are stored off-site on a secure, password-protected server. This feature requires the purchase of a separate subscription to the data sharing plan. Click here for more information about ChurchTrac’s data sharing subscription.

Setting up a Backup Reminder

You can program ChurchTrac to remind you to back up your data on a regular basis. To do this, click on Program Settings at the top of the Utilities screen. Then select General Settings from the choices in the white box. Under the section entitled Backup reminders you can indicate how often you want ChurchTrac to prompt you to back up your data. We recommend that you back up your data at least once a week.

PART 2: HOW TO RESTORE A DATA BACKUP FILE

Restoring a Backup File

In order to restore your ChurchTrac data to a previously saved version, go to the Utilities screen and click Backup/Restore Data on the toolbar. Then select the Restore a Backup File option.

Please note that the restore process will replace your current data with the data contained in the backup file. So any changes or additions that were made in your current data file since the backup was created, will be lost!

If your backup file is saved on your computer, a disc, USB or external drive; browse and select the location of your file. The backup files are dated. Select the date of the backup file you would like to restore and click Open. Then click the blue Restore this backup file button.

If your backup file is saved online, you will click the blue Browse online to locate a backup file button, select the file you would like to restore, and click Restore the Selected File.