What is auto backup in Tally.ERP9 can you please explain this feature?

Auto backup is a feature that automatically takes back up of your data without any human intervention. The auto backup needs to be enabled in the Company Creation or Company Alteration screen. This feature automatically takes a backup when a master/voucher is created or altered. Based on your requirement the auto backup can be restored at any point in the future from Gateway of Tally.

Query

We created a company and enabled the auto backup feature, while browsing the folders we noticed that the folder size had increased drastically?

Answer

On enabling the Auto Backup feature the folder size increase as auto back up automatically takes the back up in the background on creating or altering a master/voucher.

Query

Where is the data backup stored when auto backup is enabled?

Answer

By default the auto backup is stored in the respective company folder

Query

What is the name of Auto Backup file?

Answer

The name of Auto Backup file is ABK.900 which is stored in the respective company folder.

Query

What is the procedure to restore auto backup data?

Answer

To restore the Auto Backup follow the steps shown

·       Go to Gateway of Tally

·       Press Ctrl+Alt+K

·       Select the required company which needs to be restored

·       In the List of Auto Backup Versions screen

·       Select the list of Auto Backup Versions

Note: The most recent version of auto backup is listed first or appears on the top. 

·       Select the required auto backup version to restore.

·       Tally.ERP 9 prompts the user to Overwrite the Information

·       Click Yes to proceed with data restoration

Query

What is the frequency of Auto backup?

Answer

Whenever there is a change made to the data i.e., the auto backup utility automatically takes backup when a master/voucher is created or altered.

Query

Should I stop taking manual backup after enabling auto backup?

Answer

No, it is advisable that you continue taking manual backups as earlier.

Query

What happens when the Auto backup file is deleted from company folder and the auto backup feature is still enabled?

Answer

When an auto backup file is deleted from the company folder, the auto backup utility re-creates the auto backup file when the company is loaded.

Query

While loading a company the message Failed to Setup Auto Backup is displayed. Why does this happen?

Answer

This message is displayed when the auto backup file is corrupted. Hence, it is advised to delete the ABK.900 file and reload the company to recreate the Auto Backup file.

Query

What are the general differences between AutoBackup and Normal Backup?

Answer

The differences between Auto backup and the Normal backup are as follows.

Query

Can we automatically backup the data in a folder of our choice?

Answer

Yes, you can specify the folder or path of your choice to automatically take data backup. The auto back up path can be specified by following the steps shown.

·         Go to Gateway of Tally or Company Info menu > F12: Configure > Data Configuration

·         In the Data Configuration screen

·         Specify the required path in Location of Auto Backup file field.

Query

Can we take auto backup of multiple companies?

Answer

Yes, you can take auto backup of multiple companies provided auto backup is enabled for the respective company.

Query

Where is the auto backup file of multiple companies stored?

Answer

The auto backup of multiple companies is stored in a user defined location. You can specify the path of auto backup file for multiple companies by following the steps shown.

·         Go to Gateway of Tally or Company Info menu > F12: Configure > Data Configuration

·         In the Data Configuration screen

·         Specify the required path in Location of Auto Backup file field

Query

On enabling auto backup for multiple companies and specify the location of auto backup file. What will be the auto backup filename?

Answer

The data is automatically backed into a file named TABK.900 which is stored in the user defined location. This file contains the data backup of all companies which are auto backup enabled.

Query

We have enabled Auto Backup for multiple companies but have not provided the path for auto backup file. In such scenario where will the auto backup file be stored?

Answer

When auto back up file location is not specified, the auto backup utility will continue to take the data backup in ABK.900 file in the respective company folder. 

Query

When a company is deleted the Auto back up file ABK.900 is also deleted. How can we prevent this from happening?

Answer

Restricting the deletion of the data folder is a feature of the operating system. On restricting the deletion of a company data folder the user will not be able to delete the respective company. Hence, we will not be able to restrict the deletion of ABK.900 file. The solution to restrict a folder from being deleted is available in theKnowledge Base or Online Help. 

You can restore the backup from TABK.900 provided the location of auto backup file is specified.

Query

While taking a backup of the company data we noticed that the auto backup file (ABK.900) of the respective company is excluded from the backup process. It is possible to include this file in the backup process?

Solution

Taking a backup of auto backup file is not advisable as it may lead to confusion while restoring the data. However, on restoring the data backup (normal) a new auto backup file is created. Hence, at any point of time you have a backup of the data with you.

Query

We would like to know the frequency at which Auto back up file is updated within a same/ single day?

Solution

Auto Backup feature takes a backup of data when a Master or Voucher is created or altered in a company. All the transactions for that day are updated to a single file named ABK.900 file or TABK.900 if it is enabled for multiple companies. Select the backup for the respective day and restore as required.

Query

We were able to access the data till 2 PM today, when we attempted to access data later during the day. We noticed that the data was corrupted. Will the auto back up also get corrupted?

Answer

No, the Auto Backup will not get corrupted. We advise you to restore the Auto Backup file (ABK.900/TABK.900) and continue working. Disaster Recovery is one of the major features of Auto Backup.

Query

We would like to know how the auto back up feature works in a Multi user environment.

Solution

In a multi-user environment the data is stored on the computer designated as Server, The Auto Backup feature will backup, store and update the data in the designated folder on the server at every change.

Query

Is it possible to run the auto backup at a pre-defined scheduled time?

Solution

Auto Backup does not require a scheduler as it automatically takes backup in the background as you are working. All this happens with Minimum User Intervention which is also one of the major features of Auto Backup.

Query

How to restore the auto backup data taken on another/external media?

Answer

To restore the back-up taken on another media follow the steps shown:

·         Go to Gateway of Tally > Press Alt + F3 or click F3: Cmp Info

The Company Info menu appears

• Select Restore.

The Restore Companies on Disk screen appears, enter the following details

·         Destination – is the path or the folder where auto backup data needs to be restored.

·         Source – is the folder or path where auto backup file or auto backup files of multiple companies are stored. The path specified can be on the same storage device/external storage device or a storage device on the network.

In the Backup section

·         Select End of List in Name of Company

In the Auto Backup section

·         Select the required company or companies from List of Companies.

Or

·         Select All Items to restore the latest backup versions of all the available companies

·         Select the required backup Version.

·         Select End of List to complete the selection of companies

·         Accept to restore the auto backup

Use the Restore option to restore data at the user defined location/path.

Query

What is the difference between the auto backup files ABK.900 and TABK.900?

Answer

Query

What is the difference between the auto backup utility available in Tally.ERP 9 and the customized auto backup available?

Answer

The customized auto backup utility will start taking data backup on quitting Tally.ERP 9 whereas the auto backup utility starts back up for every change made to the data.

Query

While the auto backup feature is enabled, we found a file named ABK.LCK in the respective company folder. What is the significance of ABK.LCK file?

Answer

The ABK.LCK file is a temporary lock file that is created when auto backup is enabled and the respective company is selected for operations. This file prevents other users in a network from taking data backup of the respective company. On closing Tally.ERP 9 the ABK.LCK file is removed from the respective folder.