Back up and restore your data

Sightline can keep backups on your computer and save a separate, encrypted backup wherever you choose. Use a separate copy if you need to recover after losing or replacing the computer. A backup restores Sightline’s database. It does not transfer separate files or downloaded models, or activate your license on another computer. On a replacement computer, you may also need AI setup and license activation. Open Settings → Privacy & Data and find Backups. Turn off Demo mode first to work with your own records.

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Save a backup you can keep elsewhere

1. Under Backup file, select Back up… next to Back up to a file.
2. Choose a location and filename for the .db file. An external drive or a district-approved synced folder lets you keep a copy beyond this computer.
3. Enter a passphrase of at least 12 characters, then enter it again in Confirm passphrase.
4. Select Save backup and wait for the backup-saved message.

To keep a backup for use on another computer, export it with a passphrase and store the file separately from this computer. Keep the passphrase in a safe place; Sightline cannot recover it. A local backup protected only by this computer’s encryption key cannot be opened if that key is lost or reset.

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Keep recent backups on this computer

Turn on Automatic backups to let Sightline maintain local backups. The status shows when the last automatic backup was made. The three newest backups are listed below with each one’s date, student and session counts, and size. When there are more, select Show all under the list to see the rest. Select Back up now to add a local backup immediately. This adds to the list in Sightline; it does not ask where to save an external copy. To keep one of the listed backups elsewhere, select Export… beside it, choose a file location, and set a passphrase. You are exporting that backup’s contents, which may be older than your current records. Local backups are stored on the same computer as your data. Keep a separate copy as well if you need protection against a lost, damaged, or reimaged computer.

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Restore a backup

To restore a file you saved elsewhere: To restore a backup already listed in Sightline, select Restore beside that entry. Check its date and counts, then select Replace my data to proceed. Sightline needs room to set aside your current data plus about 2 GB of free space; the confirmation explains this requirement. After a successful restore, Sightline reloads the restored data. Open the student records you need and check that the expected observations are present. If you want to add records to the current database, use raw-data import instead of restoring a backup.

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If recovery does not go as expected

The backup needs a passphrase. Enter the passphrase chosen when that file was exported. If it does not open, check that you selected the intended file and passphrase. The backup is from a newer version of Sightline. Restore it with a version that supports that backup’s database format. Check Settings → About for updates. If the latest available version still refuses the backup, keep the file and contact support. The backup list does not load. Close and reopen Settings. A list-loading error does not by itself mean the backup files are missing. Sightline reports a failed data upgrade or missing records after an upgrade. Stop entering new data and contact support. Read the message before attempting a restore; Sightline may refuse a backup if restoring it would repeat the problem. You can export the listed Before update backup to keep a separate copy. Sightline cannot open the database. If the startup screen offers Restore from a backup, select it, choose your backup, and unlock it if asked. Review the counts before selecting Replace and open. If the computer’s encryption key is gone, you need a backup exported with a passphrase.