To back up database files:

1. In Estimating or Estimating Tools, go to File, File Tools
2. Select Backup and click on Next
3. Click on Add folder
4. Click on Browse and navigate to the folder for the database - select the folder and click on OK then click on Next
   • This folder should contain the .dat files:  pei.dat, pes.dat, pwa.dat, pwc.dat, pwr.dat
   • If the folder also contains multiple estimates, it may take a very long time to back up the entire folder. In this case, select Add Files and add only the .dat files listed in the previous bullet point.
5. Click on Browse to select the destination location for the backup
6. Enter a name for the backup file in the Archive Name field and click on Next
7. Click Next through the rest of the wizard
   • If any validation checks get a red circle during the validation process, address the issue noted and start the process again

To back up estimate files:

Option A - a single estimate

1. In Estimating or Estimating Tools, go to File, File Tools
2. Select Backup and click on Next
3. Click on Add files
4. Click on Browse and navigate to the location of the estimate file (.pee extension) - select the file and click on Open then click on Next
5. Click on Browse to select the destination location for the backup
6. Enter a name for the backup file in the Archive Name field and click on Next
7. Click Next through the rest of the wizard
   • If any validation checks get a red circle during the validation process, address the issue noted and start the process again

Option B - multiple estimates in one location/folder

1. In Estimating or Estimating Tools, go to File, File Tools
2. Select Backup and click on Next
3. Click on Add folder
4. Click on Browse and navigate to the folder where the estimates are located - select the folder and click on OK then click on Next
5. Click on Browse to select the destination location for the backup
6. Enter a name for the backup file in the Archive Name field and click on Next

7. Click Next through the rest of the wizard

   • If any validation checks get a red circle during the validation process, address the issue noted and start the process again

Notes:

• If all of your databases and estimates are located under one parent folder you can back up all of the files together by using the Add Folder option noted in the steps above and selecting the parent folder.
• If your files are not together in one location but are on the same drive, you can create a backup file that includes multiple databases and/or estimates.
  • Repeat steps 3 and 4 in the steps above to add more files or folders before moving on to step 5
  • This will not work if the files are on different drives