I accidentally over wrote a file whilst saving and could not get it back. I eventually managed it via iCloud but since the “auto backup” had been switched off how can I put back in to the backup path a goodly number of files that I really need available on the machine. Using High Sierra 10.13.6. Thanks. alltv
Hello alltv,
make it to an autonomous habit to store a just opend file immediately under a different file name before you start working on it. You could for example add a sequential number (<your file name> 001, <your file name> 002, aso). Or more usefull ad a date (<your file name> YYYYMMDD where YYYY is year, MM is month, DD is day, this order for sort reason) or combine both. Do so also if you want to save important progress in your work. You’ll get a significant number of files representing a change history of your document. Elder files can be deleted to your need.
Keep in mind that this does not replace to do a real backup to an independent storage. A harddiskt can fail or with beginning failure corrupt files which is the reason why a synced folder to a cloud storage does not help nor can count as backup.
What about Time Machine? I’m not familiar with Apple stuff but wouldn’t that perform what you are looking for just in an automated way?
Cookivore thanks for your response. It’s not really the answer I was looking for. That is more like a method of operating in the future. What I have done to try and get to multiple file backup is to copy the files to the backup location, as a batch, then open each one individually and then save that opened file (which also backs it up properly) and and go to the next file and do the same thing! It is laborious, but at least I end up with a backed up copy on the machine. It would have been better I I had a system that would allow me to select the files then back them up but it does not seem possible.
alltv.
You have been hinted to use “Time Machine”, haven’t you? In general, your question isn’t related to LibreOffice, but rather to some independent backup software and/or OS feature. Manual backups are done by copying files, preferably using file managers and/or batch files/scripts - or by using the manual technique described by @Cookievore. All that is not a task LibreOffice is for, and so it’s rather off-topic here…
Mike Kaganski, I realise that but thought maybe since there is an auto-backup facility in Writer, there may have been a facility that would allow me to do what I was looking for! Obviously there is not so will continue to do what I am at the moment and create the backups through a devious way and ensure that the Auto Backup is clicked as operational.
The use of Time Machine would have been no use in this instance since I only do a back up on that every month and in this instance, the file would have been a month or so out of date any way!
I will treat this question as answered.
alltv.
So alltv, you’re talking about Tools > Options > Load/Save > General, check boxes Save AutoRecovery information every X minutes and Always create a backup copy?
Strange enough that you explicitly want to bulk open each of your files once now, save it and generate that way a backup copy with the LO function. It would happen anyway over time. With your attempt you can’t be sure, it generates a .bak. At least, it does not here.
I’d strongly recommend that you understand how this function works and not only rely on how you think it should work. You wouldn’t be the first experiencing some strange behaviour of this function ending up here in the community seeking for help to recover your work. You would read then, that it works as intended but not as you’d expect it to work. So if you are using the term ‘backup’ and want to rely on that, you’re well advised to do something else addionally than only Always create a backup copy. Just my 2 ct
Cookievore, I could have opened the files and then saved them which, in itself, would then have created the backups per the automated system. What was worrying me was the fact that I didn’t want lose any files so was making doubly sure by doing it the way I did. Everything is now fine with the correct backups in the backup location. So for safety sake, I now have backed files on the machine and a copy created through my monthly backup via “Time Machine”. I don’t have any problems now. Thanks for your interest. alltv.