2.7. Migrating data

Sometimes you may need to move your financial data and settings to another machine. Typical use cases are when you buy a new computer or if you want to use the same settings over two different operating systems in a dual boot configuration.

2.7.1. Migrating financial data

Migrating financial data is a as simple as copying .gnucash files with a file manager if you know where they are saved. If you cant remember where a file is stored but you can open it directly within , save it in the desired path from within .

All other files in the folder are either backups or log files. It wont do any harm to copy them too, but its not likely to do any good, either.

2.7.2. Migrating preferences data

Preferences are stored in three different locations: one for preferences, one for reports, and one for online banking settings. Preferences are managed by gsettings, reports are managed by itself, and online banking is managed by aqbanking. If you do not use online banking, then you will not have this folder on your machine.

Where the preferences are stored varies depending on your operating system (see Table 2.2, “Application Settings Locations”, Table 2.3, “Saved Reports Locations”, and Table 2.4, “Online Banking Settings Locations”). To back up and transfer your entire installation, you must copy these preferences as well.

Table 2.2. Application Settings Locations

Operating systemfolder
Unix preferences are stored in dconf. You can use the commands dconf dump /org/gnucash/ on the old machine and dconf load /org/gnucash/ on the new machine to migrate your preferences.
Mac OSX~/Library/Preferences/gnucash.plist
WindowsThe preferences are stored in the Windows registryHKEY_CURRENT_USER/software/GSettings

Table 2.3. Saved Reports Locations

Operating systemfolder
Unix~/.gnucash
Mac OSX~/Library/Application Support/gnucash
WindowsDocuments and Settings/Username/.gnucash or Users/Username/.gnucash

Table 2.4. Online Banking Settings Locations

Operating systemfolder
Unix~/.aqbanking
Mac OSX~/.aqbanking
WindowsDocuments and Settings/Username/.aqbanking

Note

On Unix and Mac OSX, these folders will generally not display in the file manager. You must set the file manager to show hidden files and folders to see them.

Tip

On Unix and Mac OSX, the ~ symbol means the home folder.