**Function:** Backs up one folder into another. Only files that are different are copied, and the option is provided to delete any folders from the destination that aren't in the source. For making any kind of regular workflow for processing and archiving data, this action is a must.
**Author**: [Ben Long](http://www.completedigitalphotography.com)
**Requires**:
**Input**: Files/Folders
**Output**: Files/Folders that your data is backed up
Has anyone managed to use this action to backup to a networked server?
Dan
Comment by Dan — November 10, 2005 @ 6:40 am
Have you got Transmit? The latest version has built in Automator actions. http://www.panic/transmit
Comment by Anna — November 30, 2005 @ 1:52 pm
This looks ideal for my purpose. One question, it says backup: Both Folders, but where on earth do you specify which folders to backup?
Comment by Jason Vaughan — December 25, 2005 @ 4:00 pm
Jason – It backs up the folders passed to it from the previous action (i.e. you would preceed this action with either “get selected finder items” or “get specified finder items”
Comment by Steve — December 25, 2005 @ 7:47 pm
I would LOVE to use this action, but I keep getting an Applescript error that says “Finder got an error: An item with the same name already exists in the destination. (-15267)” when i try to run it.
Comment by judy — December 29, 2005 @ 6:42 pm
Judy- Are the folders you’re passing to the action in different locations?
Comment by Steve — December 29, 2005 @ 6:47 pm
Steve,
i’m trying to back up my home folder to an external firewire drive.
Comment by judy — December 29, 2005 @ 6:49 pm
Does this use rsync?
Comment by njivy — March 16, 2006 @ 1:06 pm
Im totally new to automator and was hoping someone would know how to backup a specific folder to a share on a server at regular intervals
Comment by Daz — May 22, 2006 @ 9:19 am
How do I install the action Backup Folders?
Comment by Andreas — October 29, 2006 @ 6:02 am
To install an action, open Automator, go to File > Import Actions… (then select the action required.)
Comment by Brad — January 11, 2007 @ 1:33 am
Very crude.. Lacks a lot of controls. I would never trust it with years of photos.
Comment by Phil — February 17, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Sorry, but it failed with leopard. It seems to need an update.
Comment by Michael — December 15, 2007 @ 10:40 am