Back up your important Google Sheets and Docs every night

Short answer: Use a free Google Apps Script that copies the Google Sheets, Docs and folders you list into a dated folder in Google Drive every night, and deletes copies older than the number of days you choose. It runs in your own Google account; nothing is sent to us. Setup takes 5 steps: Make a Backup tab; Choose how long to keep copies; Paste the script; Run a first backup; Turn on nightly backups.

How to set it up

1. Make a Backup tab. Open a Google Sheet and add a tab called Backup. From A2 down, paste the link of each file you want backed up. A folder's link backs up the files directly inside it.
2. Choose how long to keep copies. In D1, type how many days of backups to keep, such as 30.
3. Paste the script. Open Extensions, then Apps Script, paste in the code from our email, and save. Reload the sheet and a Backup menu appears.
4. Run a first backup. Choose Backup, then Back up now, and allow the permissions. A Backups folder appears in your Drive with a folder named with today's date holding the copies.
5. Turn on nightly backups. Choose Start nightly backup. A backup runs around 2am each night, and dated folders older than your limit go to the Drive trash.

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Good to know

• Copies are kept in the same Google Drive, so they protect against mistakes and deleted rows, not against losing the account. For that, also download a copy now and then.
• Google Sheets also keeps version history (File, then Version history), which is good for undoing one change. A dated copy is easier to compare and restore whole.

Questions

What does this script do?

It is a free Google Apps Script that copies the Google Sheets, Docs and folders you list into a dated folder in Google Drive every night, and deletes copies older than the number of days you choose.

How do I set it up?

In 5 steps: 1. Make a Backup tab; 2. Choose how long to keep copies; 3. Paste the script; 4. Run a first backup; 5. Turn on nightly backups. The full steps are on this page.

Is it free, and does it send my data anywhere?

It is free: enter your email on this page and we email you the script (Code.gs). It runs in your own Google account; nothing is sent to us.

Can you install it for me?

Yes. We set it up in your Google account in a short Connect session, connect it to your sheet and check that it runs.

Want this connected to the rest of your tools? Send us a short brief.