When computers are networked, you can always access the latest information in AnyBook.  But what about computers that are not networked?  Is it possible to exchange AnyBook data from one computer to the other?

The answer is yes.  It is possible to exchange AnyBook data from one computer to another without being networked.

For example, let's say that AnyBook normally runs on your network at work.  And let's say you have a laptop which is not connected to the network.  If desired, you can move AnyBook's files to your laptop.  Once the data is on your laptop, you might take it home and do some work.

The following describes how it's done.  (I'm using the term "laptop" below, but you are not limited to laptops.  You can exchanges files with desktop computers as well.)

1. Download and Install AnyBook to Your Laptop. If you haven't already, download and install AnyBook on your laptop.  Instructions on installing the program are found here.

IMPORTANT: Make absolutely sure you are running the same version of AnyBook on your laptop as on the work computer.  You can check the version number by selecting HELP >> ABOUT.  You'll see something like Version 14.30.  First, check the work computer.  If it's version 14.30, then your laptop should be version 14.30.

2. Back-up AnyBook Files. On your work computer, start AnyBook.  From the Main Invoice Screen, select FILE >> BACK-UP FILES and back-up the files to a USB flash drive (or other storage device).

3. Restore the Files to the Laptop. Then on your laptop, plug in the flash drive and start AnyBook.  If you have just installed AnyBook, you'll see the registration message.  Just close out of them and get to the Main Invoice Screen.  From the Main Invoice Screen, select FILE >> RESTORE BACK-UP FILES and restore the files from the flash drive.  (The restore process will bring in your registration code along with the data files.)  At this point, you will see the AnyBook data from your work computer on your laptop.  You can, then, work on the AnyBook while at home.

4. Making Changes to AnyBook Data. If you make edits to any of the invoices - or add invoices - you'll need to load that information back on to your system when you return to work the next day.

IMPORTANT: If you make edits or changes to the data in AnyBook there are two important points you need to keep in mind:

5. Loading Changes back to the Work Computer. Let's say you've finished your work at home and you've return to work.  How do you load your changes back to the main system?  You just work in reverse.  On your laptop, back-up the files to a flash drive.  Then on your work computer, select FILE >> RESTORE BACK-UP FILES and restore the files from the flash drive.  Now the work computer will have the updated data.

Why the Precautions Are Important

You can see why it's important to make sure no one will be making changes to AnyBook on the work computer while you are working on the program at home.  Any changes that they might make will be overwritten when you restore the data files the next day.   AnyBook's data will get updated with your changes, but they'll lose their changes.

This technique of exchanging data between computers works fine - and AnyBook users do this all the time - but you need to keep in mind that you don't want anyone working on AnyBook on the work computer until after you load in your updated files.

There is one situation where you don't have to worry about these precautions.  If you just review invoices or run reports on your laptop, then in that situation, it's not necessary to do a restore.  You really haven't changed the data in AnyBook.  (Running a report doesn't change data.)  If no data has been changed - and, therefore, no restore will done on your part - then it would quite all right for others to edit or create new invoices on the work computer.