Change Folder

When using the Manager Desktop Edition, your business data files are saved in the application data folder. This folder is where Manager looks for .manager files, each representing a separate business. Every .manager file contains all of a single business's accounting data, settings, attachments, emails, and history.

Default Application Data Folder Locations

The default location of the application data folder depends on your operating system:

• Windows:
  • C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\Manager.io
  • or C:\Users\[Username]\OneDrive\Documents\Manager.io (if using OneDrive)
• macOS:
  • /Users/[Username]/Documents/Manager.io
• Linux:
  • /home/[Username]/Documents/Manager.io

Note: The [Username] is your computer's username. The default data path may vary and might be hidden in your operating system's file explorer.

Viewing and Changing the Application Data Folder

When you open Manager and view the list of businesses under the Businesses tab, you'll see the current application data folder path at the bottom left corner of the window. Next to it, there's a Change Folder button that allows you to change the location of your application data folder.

If you've previously changed the application data folder, a Reset to default location button will also appear. Clicking this button resets the application data folder back to its default location for your operating system.

Important Notes

• Changing or resetting the application data folder does not modify or delete any of your businesses, their settings, or attachments.
• It simply tells Manager where to look for .manager files.
• Changing the folder does not move any business data files to or from the new location.
• You will need to manually move or import your business files after changing the folder.

How to Change the Application Data Folder

To change the application data folder to a new location (such as a different drive or a cloud-synced folder), follow these steps:

1. Create the New Folder

Using your operating system's file management tools (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on macOS, or Files on Linux), create a new folder where you want to store your Manager data files.

2. Change the Folder in Manager

1. Open Manager and go to the Businesses tab.
2. Click on the Change Folder button located at the bottom left corner.
3. A file browsing window will open. Navigate to and select the new folder you created.
4. Click Select Folder (or Open on some systems).

3. Confirm the Change

After selecting the new folder, the Businesses list will appear empty. This is because Manager is now looking in the new folder, which doesn't contain any business files yet.

Adding Your Businesses to the New Folder

You have two options to make your businesses appear in Manager again:

Option 1: Import Businesses

1. In the Businesses tab, click on the Add Business button.
2. Select Import Business from the dropdown menu.
3. Browse to the old application data folder.
4. Select a .manager file (each file represents one business) and click Open.
5. Repeat these steps for each business you want to import.

Option 2: Move Business Files

1. Close Manager.
2. Using your operating system's file management tools, navigate to your old application data folder.
3. Select all files with the .manager extension.
4. Move (or copy) these files to the new application data folder you created.
5. Open Manager. Your businesses will automatically appear in the Businesses tab.

Note: Moving the files ensures that all your data, including attachments and emails, are preserved.

Resetting the Application Data Folder to Default

If you wish to revert back to the default application data folder:

1. Open Manager and go to the Businesses tab.
2. Click on the Reset to default location button at the bottom left corner.
3. Manager will now look for business files in the default location for your operating system.

Remember to move any .manager files back to the default folder if you've moved them elsewhere.

Tips for Managing Your Application Data Folder

• Backup Regularly: Always keep backups of your .manager files, especially before making changes to file locations.
• Use Cloud Storage Carefully: If you choose to place your application data folder in a cloud-synced directory (like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive), be cautious of potential synchronization issues that could corrupt your data.
• Keep Files Organized: Maintain a clear folder structure to manage multiple businesses efficiently.

Conclusion

By managing your application data folder, you have control over where your business data is stored. Whether you need more storage space, prefer a different location, or want to integrate with cloud services, changing the application data folder is straightforward and keeps your data safe.