Archive Manager

The Archive Manager option provides a method of backing up files on your site by compressing them. It is always good practice to back up files in case damage should occur to original files. Compressing files allows you to reduce the amount of storage space your files take up, thus freeing more space for you to work with on your site.

Note: Compressed files cannot be opened within the Control Panel’s File Manager, though they can be deleted and renamed here.

Compressing Files

  • From the Control Panel, select the Archive Manager icon. The Archive Manager displays. The Current Directory: section of the Archive Manager shows you which directory you are currently in and which sub-directories are available in that directory.
  • Optional: If you need to drill down into one of the sub-directories, simply single-click on the desired sub-directory name. The Archive Manager refreshes and the Current Directory text reflects that you have moved into another directory.
  • Select the file or directory you to compress by single-clicking in the small-box immediately to the left of the file or directory name.
  • Click on the Compress button. The Archive Manager reappears, displaying the file/directory you have selected near the bottom of the screen.
  • Choose either the Unix (tar) or Windows (WinZip Compatible) compression method.
  • In the Output file name field, type the name of the compressed file you want to create. To have the output file created in a different directory, follow the directions on the screen above the Submit and Clear buttons.
    • Warning: Do NOT type the file extension as part of the file name. This will cause an error to be generated.
  • Select the Submit button. The Archive Manager reappears.
  • A message appears indicating that the file compression is in progress. For smaller files, you may also instantly see a message stating Compress done!, followed by file statistics concerning the newly created file.
    • Note: If an error occurs, you will see a message indicating it at this point.
    • Note: Compression can fail if you add a file extension to the file name for your output file. Use the Back to Archive Manager link to try again.
  • If you would like to compress more files or directories, you can return to the Archive Manager by selecting the Back to Archive Manager link located near the bottom of the page.
Extracting Files
  • From the Control Panel, select the Archive Manager icon. The Archive Manager displays. The Current Directory section of the Archive Manager shows you which directory you are currently in and which sub-directories are available in that directory.
  • Optional: To drill down into one of the sub-directories, single-click on the desired sub-directory name. The Archive Manager refreshes and the Current Directory text reflects that you have moved into another directory.
  • Select the compressed file you would like to extract by single-clicking in the selection box to the immediate left of the file name.
  • Click on the Extract button. The Archive Manager reappears, listing the file(s) you have selected to extract near the bottom of the screen. The contents of the compressed file (all the files/directories that were compressed) are also shown where the message “The content of:” appears.
  • In the Output Directory field, type the name of the directory into which you would like to extract the compressed file. To extract to the current directory, type “./” (Note: without the quotes).
  • Click on the Submit button. The Archive Manager reappears. A message appears indicating file extraction is in progress. For smaller files, you may instantly see a message stating Extraction Successful, followed by a listing of the files that were just extracted.
  • If complete, select the Back to Archive Manager link to return to the main Archive Manager page.