What are the extra data files Moneydance is creating?

There are two types of backup files that Moneydance creates, autosave files and backups.

1) Autosave files are a save of the current working data. The name of the autosave file will have the same name as your primary data file with a chevron (⁾ symbols as the suffix. e.g. if you data file is called "myaccounts.md" the auto save file will be called "myaccounts.md^".

The autosave file is stored in the same location as your primary data file.

The frequency that the auto save file is created with is determined by the option under Preferences->Backup "Perform autosave every N minutes".

The purpose of the autosave file is to save your data frequently in case your computer shuts down unexpectedly without saving to your primary data file. Only one auto save file exists.

2) Backup files are made the first time you run Moneydance on a particular date. A backup file is a copy of your primary data file. The name of the backup file will be the same as your primary data file with the date of backup appended to the file name. e.g. if you primary data file is called "myaccounts.md" a backup file made on September 1st 2011 will be called "myaccounts.md-2011-09-01".

By default backup files are stored in the same location as your primary data file. This location can be changed by setting the "separate backup folder" option under Preferences->Backup.

The number of backup files created is by default 5. This number can be changed under Preferences->Backup. If you have the number set to 5 and you ran Moneydance every day you would have a backup copy of your data file going back 5 days.

You cannot open a backup directly. If you want to open a backup file you need to rename it such that it ends with the .md extension.