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Uses for selection lists

Selection lists can be used to omit and include files in backups by directory path, file name, and file type. Here are some example uses for selection lists:

Selection list type

Example uses

Exclude list - any client

Create a one-time or scheduled full, differential, or incremental backup. Example uses:

• If legal or audit requirements specify a monthly backup for all files and folders except for process documents, set up a full backup to run monthly that excludes process documents.
• If company processes require full backups for all files except for training documentation and videos, create a full backup that excludes the folders and files of those types from the training department.

Include list - any client

Create a one-time or scheduled selective backup. Backup contains only files that meet inclusion criteria. Does not impact backup group chain, since selective backups are stand-alone and not part of a group. Example uses:

• Include only certain volumes or paths that have important data and do not need to run subsequent incremental or differential backups that contain only changes.
• Backup only a few files or a certain type of file during a single instance. For example, your Finance department is changing spreadsheets for a quarterly audit and would like to back up those spreadsheets.
ClosedFull backup with exclusion list

Exclusion lists are supported for full, incremental, and differential file-level backups for all client types. Wildcards are supported for most client types. Note that all incrementals and differentials associated with the full backup must have the same selection lists, and a new full must be run anytime the inclusion list is updated.

The following graphic is an example of an exclusion list applied to a full backup. The backup captures only files on the C: drive that are not of the .tmp type because the E: drive and all .tmp files are excluded.

ClosedSelective backup inclusion lists

Inclusion lists are required for selective backups. Wildcards are supported for most client types. Selective backups are not included in backup groups, so it is not necessary to run a new full when the inclusion list is created or updated.

The following graphic is an example of a selective backup and inclusion list. As specified, the backup contains only files on the C: drive of the .mp3 and .txt types.