All of your SurveyGold application data is stored in a single file that resides on your computer. This file is named survey.db and it is located in a special folder on your computer. We recommend that you periodically make a backup copy of this file in a physical location other than your computer's disk drive (e.g., network drive, DropBox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, USB drive) or directly to SurveyGold online services. This provides you with the ability to recover your data in the event that your computer's disk drive is lost or becomes unusable.

The easiest way to do this is to let the SurveyGold application do it for you as you exit the application and to use SurveyGold online services to make the backup. As a general rule, it is a good practice to let SurveyGold make backups whenever you are offered. 

Change How Often SurveyGold Reminds You To Make a Backup

The SurveyGold application periodically prompts you to make a backup copy of this file as you exit the program. You can change the periodic interval as follows:

1. In the SurveyGold application, select Help
2. Select Change Application Preferences
3. In the Features tab, change the following option in the Data Backup section:
   Display reminder at this interval (days)
4. Select OK
5. Select Exit and the SurveyGold application will prompt you to make a backup

Force SurveyGold to Make a Backup Now

If SurveyGold has not offered you to do a backup recently, you can force it to make a one-time backup as follows:

1. In the SurveyGold application, select Help
2. Select Change Application Preferences
3. In the Features tab, select the following option in the Data Backup section:
   Force a one-time backup upon next exit
4. Select OK
5. Select Exit and the SurveyGold application will prompt you to make a backup