For version 15.1 and earlier, see How do I copy my files to another data folder for testing or historical reporting in versions 15.1 and earlier?

1. Create a new company
   1. Go to Sage Desktop, Options, Open Company.
   2. Select the company you want to copy.
      Note: It is important that you begin in the company folder you want to copy so that it copies the same settings stored in the ts.ctl file to the new folder. Refer to DocLink: When I create a new data folder, what does the option Use current setup do?.
   3. Select Options, New Company.
   4. In the Company Name box, type a unique name for this company folder and press Enter. Do not use the exact same name as your live company.
      Note: The name of the data folder assigned in the Data Folder Path Name will prefill using the Company Name you entered here. Write down the destination location from the Data Folder Path Name box for reference in subsequent steps.
   5. In the Data Folder Description, type in a description that indicates this is a copy of the live data. For example, "20xx COPY of DATA DO NOT MAKE ENTRIES"
   6. Leave Use Current Setup selected.
   7. Click OK.
   8. Select Options, Open Company
   9. Select the original company you are copying.
2. Copy files
   1. Go to Sage Desktop, Applications, Common Tasks, Tools, File Tools.
   2. Select Copy.
   3. Click Next.
   4. Click Add Files.
   5. Select all files by using Ctrl+A.
   6. Hold down Ctrl, and deselect Ts.ctl, Master.qym, and Tswin.ini.
   7. Release the Ctrl key once done.
   8. Once all files are selected (except Ts.ctl, Master.qym, and Tswin.ini), click Open.
      Tip: Excluding **.PRN, **.PDF, **.TXT, **.TSZIP2, **.XLS, and **.XLSX files will improve processing speed and reduce the size of the new company. See Additional information for details.
   9. Select the Destination folder location from step 1.4.
   10. Click Next (will be prompted four times).
   11. Click Finish.
3. (Optional) If you need Purchasing and Inventory (PO/IV) or Service Management (SM) data, copy the folder directly to your test company
   1. Go to Sage Desktop, Applications, Common Tasks, Tools, File Tools.
   2. Select Copy.
   3. Click Next.
   4. Click Add Folder.
   5. Select the POIVData folder and/or SMData folder from your live data folder, then click OK.
   6. Select the Destination folder location from step 1.4.
   7. Click Next (will be prompted four times).
   8. Click Finish.
4. Open your newly created test Company
   1. Go to Sage Desktop, Options, Open Company and select your new company.
   2. Go to Applications, Common Tasks, File, Company Settings, File Locations.
   3. Clear paths in the Data Folder column (except Reports and PR Tax) so that you do not affect live data.
   4. Grant access to the folder by going to Options, Security Administration, Security Permission by Type, Company.
   5. Verify that test data settings are correct. For example, formatting, posting settings, accounting methods, etc.
   6. If you copied PO, IV, or SM data, you must open the corresponding applications (PO, IV, and/or SM) within the test company from the file server. You do this so that the client workstations can access these applications properly.

DocLink: How do I restore from a backup to a new data folder for prior year reporting?

Additional information:

When you backup, copy, move, or delete folders and files, you can click Advanced to use wildcard and exclusion patterns to the files in the selected operation. The Wildcard option allows you to refine the selection of folders and files that you want to include in this operation. The Exclusion option allows you to refine the selection of folders and files that you want to exclude from this operation.

To Add Wildcard or Exclusion Options

1. From the Backup, Copy, Move, or Delete window, click Advanced.
2. Select Add Wildcard or Add Exclusions to set patterns to refine your file search.
3. Enter or select the path for the folder and files to which you want to apply the pattern.
4. Place your cursor at the end of the path and enter a backslash.
5. Click Append to select a pattern or enter the pattern and enter the file information before or after the append characters.
   • You can use the Recursive, Match Any, and Match Character pattern options separately or in combinations.
     • Recursive (**)
       Select recursive to include all files and folders that match the criteria that you enter. This includes all folders and subfolders.
     • Match Any (*)
       Select this pattern to include or exclude all files that have a character that matches this character.
     • Match Character (?)
       Select this pattern to include or exclude all files that have this single character in a folder name or path.
   • Examples:
     • *.prn will include or exclude all files with the extension .prn in the selected folder
     • **.prn will include or exclude all files with the extension .prn in the selected folder and all subfolders
     • Invoice* will include or exclude all files beginning with Invoice in the selected folder
     • *Invoice* will include or exclude all files containing the Invoice in the selected folder
     • **Invoice* will include or exclude all files containing Invoice in the selected folder and all subfolders
     • Invoice ?1.Prn will include or exclude all files with the name Invoice ?1.prn where the ? is replaced by any single character. Files with the names of Invoice 11.Prn or Invoice 21.Prn or Invoice 31.Prn would be included and a file with the name of Invoice 12.Prn or Invoice 12.Prn would not be included
     • **Invoice*.??? would include or exclude all files beginning with Invoice and ending with any three character extension in the selected folder and all subfolders. Files that began with Invoice that did not have a three character extension would not be included.
6. Click OK to return to the operation window.
7. The selected path with the selected patterns appears on the list.

[BCB:156:Chat 300 CRE US:ECB]