Restoring vs using a backup file - naming issues

Question

I am making progress on entering the historical AT&T divestiture into Quicken: AT&T parent spun off 7 Baby Bells so I am spinning them off sequentially. Getting the cost per share correct has taken some trial and error (or iterations and interpolations). I got pretty close using a single lot for AT&T parent, then running the spin offs. But when I use all the lots, I get some rounding error. When I perfect a spin off with all the lots, I would like to save it (back it up) and try the next spin off. When I fail, I want to go back to that previously perfected point. (Just removing the transactions is time consuming since a spin off affects many lots.) I just got a message that said that I could not use that backup to restore because I was in it (running new numbers for the next spin off). What is the trick? Should I change the name of the backup BEFORE restoring to use it to test my new cost numbers? Thanks.

q_lurker · Accepted Answer

Welcome back.

I don't do a lot of restoration of files.  I was hoping someone else would chime in with a more knowledgeable answer than I can offer.

In your case, I would be sure to be naming each backup file uniquely, and then restoring that file to its new name, not its original name, as you continue to iterate toward the proper overall solution.  Once you get the iteration to the "That's what I want" point, rename that file to your going forward name.