# How to Back Up Fishbowl Inventory (and Restore It)

> Source: https://netray.co/erp-help/how-to-backup-fishbowl-inventory-database
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: ERP Help

## Short answer

Fishbowl stores everything in a MySQL database on the Fishbowl server, so a backup means copying that database plus your attachments and custom reports. Use Fishbowl's built-in backup for a quick copy, schedule it, add a mysqldump or file-level backup for redundancy, copy the result offsite and test a restore regularly.

## Kind

how-to

## System

small-erp

## Erp

Fishbowl Inventory

## Module

Server / Database

## Query

how backup fishbowl inventory software

## Alternate Queries

- fishbowl backup database
- fishbowl restore backup
- fishbowl inventory and quickbooks online
- fishbowl training method

## Applies To

Fishbowl Advanced and Fishbowl Drive on-prem; hosted customers should ask Fishbowl or their host what is included. Menu names vary by version.

## Steps

### Set up a reliable backup

**Items:**

- Log in to Fishbowl as an admin and find the backup option in the server/administration menu for your version.
- Run a manual backup and note the folder it writes to. Confirm the file size is sensible.
- Schedule recurring backups, daily at minimum, outside working hours.
- Include attachments, images, custom reports and the Fishbowl configuration files by backing up the Fishbowl application folder as well.
- Copy backups to a different machine or cloud storage, not just another folder on the same disk.
- Optionally add a mysqldump with the single-transaction option for a second, independent copy.
- Keep several generations (for example daily for two weeks and monthly for a year).
- Test a restore on a spare machine at least quarterly and record how long it took.

## Sections

### Built-in backup versus database dump

**Body:**

The built-in backup is the simplest option and is what Fishbowl support will expect to see. It is good for routine protection and before upgrades.

A mysqldump gives you a plain SQL file that you can load into any MySQL compatible server. It is useful for audits and migrations. Use the credentials your administrator holds and connect to the Fishbowl MySQL port, which is commonly set to a non-default value by the installer.

**Code:**

- mysqldump --single-transaction -u <user> -p -P <fishbowl-mysql-port> <database> > fishbowl-backup.sql

### Restore and test

**Body:**

- Restore to a test machine with the same Fishbowl version first. A restore that works on an unrelated version may not start, because the schema is versioned.
- Time it. When the server fails you want to know whether recovery is thirty minutes or half a day. If it is too slow, keep a warm standby.

### QuickBooks Online in the picture

**Body:**

Fishbowl pushes accounting transactions to QuickBooks Online, but QuickBooks is not a backup of your inventory. Restoring Fishbowl to an earlier date does not roll back what was already posted to QuickBooks.

After a restore, check the last sync date and review postings so you do not duplicate or miss entries. See the QuickBooks integration page for mapping and errors.

## Pitfalls

- Backups stored only on the same disk as the database.
- Never testing a restore.
- Forgetting attachments and custom reports.
- Restoring to a different Fishbowl version.
- Restoring and then re-syncing to QuickBooks without checking for duplicates.

## Ai Angle

Backup is an operational job, not an AI one. Once data is safe, a private assistant over the Fishbowl database can answer inventory questions in plain language without sending data to a public service.

## Faq

### How do I back up Fishbowl?

**Answer:** Use the built-in backup from the admin menu, schedule it daily, and copy the files offsite. Add a MySQL dump and a copy of the application folder for attachments and reports.

### Where does Fishbowl store its data?

**Answer:** In a MySQL database on the Fishbowl server. Attachments and some configuration live in the Fishbowl folder on disk.

### How often should I back up Fishbowl?

**Answer:** At least daily, with extra backups before upgrades and large imports. Test a restore at least quarterly.

### Does QuickBooks Online back up Fishbowl?

**Answer:** No. QuickBooks holds posted accounting entries, not your inventory, orders or settings.

## Search terms

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