How to export your data from your current legal software

Full backup

1. Schedule a shutdown so every user is out of Abacus, Accounting, MessageSlips and the Outlook add-in.
2. Go to File > Utilities > Backup and choose Backup.
3. Pick the destination, and tick Forms and saved accounting PDF bills if you want those too.
4. Click Start Backup. You get a zip file named LAW_ followed by a number.

CSV reports

1. Open File > Reports and choose a Names, Matters, Events or Notes report.
2. Set the output to Data-Merge File > Comma-Delimited and give the file a .csv name.
3. Run one report per record type. A report with no fields defined exports every field.

Runs as

Desktop or office server, or Abacus Private Cloud

Export gives you

One zip of the database, or a CSV per report

Documents

Not confirmed in the backup. Copy your linked-documents folder from the server as well.

Trust records

Trust sits in the Accounting data, which the backup includes when you select it.

Watch for

Abacus keeps no copy of your data, so your backup is the only one. Check it opens before you give notice.

From AbacusLaw’s own help: Backing up and restoring, Exporting reports to CSV

Full backup

1. An admin with authority opens a support ticket giving your orgkey and a delivery email address.
2. Actionstep sends a link to password-protected zip files within one to two business days, with the password in a separate message.
3. Download the files before the password expires, seven days later.

Quick copy

1. Run Reports > Matter Reports > Data Export Report and choose matters, participants, contacts, tasks and custom data.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

CSV files per area, plus documents, in password-protected zips

Documents

Included in the backup in their original format, with a database ID at the front of each file name.

Trust records

Per-matter trust transaction files come in the backup.

Watch for

Emails saved only as a reference come out incomplete, so export those from Microsoft 365 or Google. Deleting the system ends access at once. Get the backup first.

From Actionstep’s own help: Requesting a backup, Data Export Report

Premium Edition backup

1. Ask every user to log out.
2. Open the Office module and go to Firm Settings > Maintenance > Utilities.
3. Set a backup location on the database server.
4. Click Backup Now. You get two .bak files, one for the Amicus database and one for AmicusMedia.

Documents

1. Copy the SharedDocuments folder under Amicus Attorney Server, plus any folders your firm manages outside Amicus.

Amicus Cloud

1. Amicus Cloud has no export button. Ask CARET support for a copy of your database, and ask about any fee.

Runs as

Premium Edition on your own SQL Server; Amicus Cloud hosted by CARET

Export gives you

Two SQL Server .bak files

Documents

Not in the backup. Copy the SharedDocuments folder and your templates folder from the server.

Trust records

If your firm keeps trust in a separate accounting program, export the trust ledger from that program too.

Watch for

Everyone has to be logged out, and bill images sit in the AmicusMedia file, so send both.

From Amicus Attorney’s own help: Database backup and restore guide

Core export

1. Click the arrow at top right and open Firm Settings.
2. Expand Your CARET Legal Account, choose Export, and click Download Data.

Matters and accounting

1. Build a matter View with every column ticked and use Download Spreadsheet.
2. On each Accounting tab and report you need, use Download Spreadsheet for an Excel copy.

Documents

1. Open a matter, go to Documents, and choose Bulk Download > Download Entire Matter.

Runs as

Cloud, formerly Zola Suite

Export gives you

A CSV of core data, plus Excel spreadsheets and one ZIP per matter

Documents

One ZIP per matter. Files whose folder path runs past 158 characters land in a separate overflow folder inside it.

Trust records

Trust Account Ledger Summary gives balances. The General Ledger report lists every transaction.

Watch for

The core export carries basic matter fields only, so build the full matter View as well.

From CARET Legal’s own help: Exporting data, Bulk document download

Firm export

1. Email CASEpeer support or your client manager and ask for a full firm data export.
2. When the email says your export is available, open its link while signed in and click Launch Export.
3. When the second email arrives, follow its link and click Download.
4. Ask support separately for your documents, photos and recordings.

Settlement history

1. Export the Settlement Report and the Demand Report to Excel.

Runs as

Cloud, now 8am CasePeer

Export gives you

A ZIP of case data, plus Excel reports

Documents

Not in the firm export. Request them from support, or download each case’s documents from its Documents tab.

Trust records

Ask support what the export holds for trust, and pull your deposit history from LawPay as well.

Watch for

Your user needs export permission, and a fee may apply. Export before you cancel.

Lists

1. An admin turns on Export Data for your user under System Settings > User Information > Permissions.
2. On the Contacts home page, click Download to Excel, or use the arrow beside it for CSV.
3. Do the same on the Matters home page, with all files selected so the export does not stop at 500 matters.
4. Ask Centerbase support for a backup of notes, calendar entries, tasks and emails.

Documents

1. Download folders from File Explorer, or map Centerbase as a network drive and copy them out. On the newer document management, your files already sit in your firm’s SharePoint.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

Excel or CSV per list, plus a backup from support

Documents

From File Explorer or a mapped drive. Newer accounts keep them in SharePoint.

Trust records

The WIP/AR/Trust Balance report gives balances. Ask support for the transaction history.

Watch for

The Export Data permission stays off until an admin grants it. Large reports arrive by email.

From Centerbase’s own help: Export permission, Exporting contacts, Mapping a network drive

Bulk CSV export

1. Sign in as an admin and open the Exports page at app.clio.com/export.
2. Click Excel ready CSV next to each data type: contacts, matters, contact and matter notes, tasks, calendar entries, communications, time entries and expense entries.
3. Download each file when it finishes.

Trust and billing

1. Go to Reports > Classic reports and run the Trust ledger report across all trust accounts and all dates, as CSV.
2. Run Reports > Accounts receivable as CSV for unpaid balances.
3. Export your bills from Billing, under Bills or Outstanding Balances.

Documents

1. In Documents, tick the files and folders you want and click the download icon. Clio zips the selection.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

One CSV per data type, plus CSV reports

Documents

A ZIP of whatever you select. Clio has no firm-wide document export, so work through the matter folders.

Trust records

The Trust ledger report lists every transaction. Trust listing gives balances only.

Watch for

Only admins can open the Exports page. Run trust reports across all dates, because a narrow range can show false negative balances.

From Clio Manage’s own help: Export data, Reports, Documents

1. On each screen you need (Matters, Contacts, Activities, Accounting), apply your filters and click Export.
2. Choose Custom Export, enter the full page range, and pick Excel or CSV.
3. Under Reports, download the client and trust ledgers, the receipts and disbursements journals, and your three-way reconciliations.
4. Download invoices as PDF or Word, plus work in progress, accounts receivable and payment history.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

Excel, CSV and PDF files, screen by screen

Documents

Download them one by one. Files kept in Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, Google Drive or NetDocuments stay in that account.

Trust records

Client trust ledgers, journals and reconciliation reports all export with full history.

Watch for

A Custom Export with a blank page range returns the first page only. Access ends when you cancel, so export at a month end first.

From CosmoLex’s own help: Extract your data before canceling, Export your data

Records

1. Click the cloud export icon on the Contacts tab, then on the Matters tab. Each gives a CSV.
2. Build reports for invoices, payments and tasks from Create New > Report and export each to CSV.
3. Tick every invoice on the Invoices dashboard and choose More Actions > Download Invoice(s).
4. For forms, open the smart form’s Forms tab and use Print All for one combined PDF.

Documents

1. Tick the files or folders and choose More Actions > Download File(s).

Runs as

Cloud, part of 8am

Export gives you

CSV files, PDFs of forms and notes, and a ZIP of invoices

Documents

Select and download them by hand. Docketwise has no download-everything option.

Trust records

Balances and transactions show under Settings > Bank Accounts, with no documented export. Ask support.

Watch for

Questionnaire answers leave as PDF rather than data, so expect forms to arrive as documents.

From Docketwise’s own help: Exporting contacts and matters, Reports, Files and folders

1. For a large firm folder, right-click it in the Dropbox desktop app, choose Make available offline, and copy the synced folder.
2. For a smaller one, tick the folder on dropbox.com and click Download.
3. Convert any Paper docs with Save as before you download.

Runs as

Cloud storage

Export gives you

A ZIP from the website, or the original files through the desktop app

Documents

The files themselves.

Watch for

Web downloads reset modified dates. Use the desktop app when file dates matter.

From Dropbox’s own help: Downloading entire folders, Modified dates

1. Ask Cerenade for a full copy of your data. The first copy costs nothing.
2. For readable copies, open Caseworker > Standard Reports, pick a client, case or billing report, and click the Excel link.
3. For documents, select them on a case’s or contact’s Documents tab and click the download icon.
4. When the email arrives, go to Tools > Job Requests and download the ZIP.

Runs as

Cloud, from Cerenade

Export gives you

Excel reports, document ZIPs, and a full copy on request

Documents

Zipped through Job Requests, case by case or contact by contact.

Trust records

Billing reports cover trust if your firm uses the Billing module.

Watch for

Cerenade charges for later full copies, priced by the size of your database.

From eimmigration’s own help: Standard reports, Job requests

1. Send the original .xlsx file. In Google Sheets, use File > Download > Microsoft Excel, which keeps every tab.
2. If you save as CSV instead, save each tab on its own, since a CSV holds one sheet.
3. Write down what any colors or merged cells meant. Neither survives the export.

Runs as

Spreadsheets your firm keeps

Export gives you

An .xlsx workbook, or one CSV per tab

Watch for

Formulas turn into plain values on export, so keep the original file too.

From Excel and Google Sheets’s own help: Saving as CSV in Excel, Downloading from Google Sheets

Report Builder

1. Open the main menu and choose Report Builder.
2. Pick a report type, such as List of Projects, Calendar Events, Invoices or Transactions, and choose every column.
3. Add the Include Archived Projects criterion so closed cases come too.
4. Run it and choose Save/Export > Export for Excel.

Over 30,000 rows

1. Use CSV Report on the saved report’s Save/Export page to send it through Data Connector. Your Filevine rep sets that up.

Documents

1. In a project’s Docs section, select the files and folders and choose Download zip file.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

Excel or CSV per report, and ZIPs of documents

Documents

Zipped per project with folders intact, up to 5 GB per zip and 2 GB per file.

Trust records

The Trust Reconciliation report in the Payments app gives one row per transaction for Payments by Filevine accounts.

Watch for

Filevine’s contract terms keep your data for 30 days after termination. Ask for its return in writing before the term ends.

From Filevine’s own help: Build a report, Data Connector, Doc zipping

Whole firm

1. Sign in as a super admin and open Data > Data import & export > Data export in the Admin console.
2. Export everything rather than filtering by user, because a user filter leaves shared drives out.
3. Wait for the email, usually about 72 hours, then download the ZIPs from the storage bucket.

One account

1. Go to takeout.google.com, select Drive, and choose ZIP files split at 2 GB or larger.

Runs as

Cloud storage

Export gives you

ZIP archives, organized by user and by service

Documents

The files themselves, in their folders.

Watch for

Google deletes the export bucket after 60 days. Downloading a folder from the Drive website converts Google Docs and Sheets to Office files.

From Google Drive and Workspace’s own help: Exporting your organization’s data, Google Takeout

1. Open Reports > Reports 3.0, run the case status and foreign national reports, and export each to Excel.
2. For custom columns, use Reports 1.0 > Adhoc Reports, which INSZoom may need to switch on. Include Client ID so contacts link to cases.
3. Download documents as a ZIP from the document area.
4. Questionnaires have no download. Open the preview and print it to PDF from your browser.

Runs as

Cloud, from Mitratech

Export gives you

Excel and CSV reports, plus document ZIPs

Documents

Zipped when you download them.

Trust records

Not documented. Export trust from your accounting program.

Watch for

Mitratech’s terms give you 30 days after termination to request your data file, and allow deletion after that.

From INSZoom’s own help: Reports 3.0, Questionnaire as PDF

Juris Management Console

1. Have every user close Juris.
2. Open Juris Management Console, go to Database Utilities and click Backup.
3. The first time, create a backup device that points at a folder on the server.
4. Click Finish.

SQL Server Management Studio

1. Put Juris in Maintenance or Backup mode.
2. Right-click the Juris database, choose Tasks > Back Up, and set the type to Full.
3. Back up JBills to the same file under the same backup set name, so both databases land in one .bak.

Runs as

LexisNexis billing and accounting on SQL Server, on your server or a private cloud

Export gives you

One SQL Server .bak holding both databases

Documents

Juris holds billing and accounting only, so documents and calendars come from your other systems.

Trust records

Full history travels in the backup. Run the TR1000 Trust Ledger History report as a readable check.

Watch for

Time and expense entries that sit unsynced in a user’s local Juris Suite cache miss the backup. Sync every workstation first.

From Juris’s own help: Backing up through SQL Server Management Studio, Juris data export options

1. Click your avatar and go to Settings > Apps & Integrations > Export & Import.
2. On the Full Backup tab, click Create Backup.
3. Download the ZIP from the email Lawcus sends when it finishes.
4. For trust history, run Reports > Trust Account Ledger and export it.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

A ZIP backup, plus CSV and Excel exports by tab

Documents

Included in the full backup.

Trust records

The backup holds balances. The Trust Account Ledger report lists each transaction by client and account.

Watch for

Every export arrives by email, so check the inbox of whoever ran it.

From Lawcus’s own help: Full data backup, Trust Account Ledger report

1. Open Reports > Interactive Reports and click View.
2. Choose New > Report and pick the type: address book, foreign nationals, matters, related contacts or case notes.
3. Add the columns you need on the Report Columns tab, save, and run the report.
4. Download each report in Excel.

Runs as

Cloud, part of Equifax Workforce Solutions

Export gives you

Excel reports, and an FTPS backup on request

Documents

Ask your customer success manager how the backup delivers them.

Trust records

Not documented. Export trust from your accounting program.

Watch for

LawLogix has no public help center. Check each report’s row count, since a leftover filter can return an empty file.

Records

1. Click the gear at top right and choose Export.
2. Export Matters, Contacts and Companies. Use Matters rather than Clients, since a client is a matter marked Hired.

Billing and trust

1. Under Reports > Custom Reports, build reports for time entries, expenses, invoices and transactions, and export each to Excel.
2. Open Time & Billing > Trust Account, widen the dates, and click Export Current View.

Documents

1. Open each matter’s Files tab and download all files.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

CSV and Excel files. Lawmatics emails the large ones.

Documents

Per matter from the Files tab. Lawmatics has no firm-wide download.

Trust records

The trust account export lists every transaction with a running balance.

Watch for

Notes, tasks and calendar entries have no documented export. Ask support before you cancel.

From Lawmatics’s own help: Exporting data, Trust account

1. Go to Reports > Transaction Report, set the dates, and pick the trust account.
2. Run it and export as CSV. Repeat for the operating account.
3. Run Trust Account Activity for each client’s trust entries, as CSV.

Runs as

Cloud payments, part of 8am

Export gives you

CSV reports

Trust records

Trust Account Activity and Trust Account Summary give per-client entries and balances.

Watch for

Older LawPay Classic accounts use different menus. Check which product you are on first.

From LawPay’s own help: Transaction report, Trust account history

1. Click the gear, then Settings > Firm Setup > Firm Info.
2. Click the download button at the bottom of the page for your LeanLaw data.
3. Export time entries and expenses from their own pages if you want filtered copies.
4. Follow the QuickBooks Online steps on this page for the trust account.

Runs as

Cloud, running on QuickBooks Online

Export gives you

A ZIP of Excel files

Documents

LeanLaw handles billing only and holds no documents.

Trust records

Recorded in QuickBooks Online. Export the trust account’s general ledger there.

Records

1. Have your Salesforce admin open Setup > Data Export.
2. Choose Export Now, tick Include all data, and tick images, documents and attachments.
3. Download the ZIP of CSVs within 48 hours of the email.

Documents

1. Ask Litify support how to bulk-download your Docrio files. They sit outside the Salesforce export.

Runs as

Cloud, built on Salesforce

Export gives you

A ZIP of CSV files, one per Salesforce object

Documents

Docrio keeps them on separate storage. Plan a separate download with Litify.

Trust records

Depends on the accounting app your firm runs inside Salesforce. Export the trust ledger from that app.

Watch for

Litify’s own help sits behind a customer login, and your Salesforce edition limits how often you can run Data Export.

1. Go to Settings > Export and choose Download All Contacts in Account. LollyLaw emails the file to the account owner.
2. Run the reports you need while the account is active and paid up.
3. Ask LollyLaw for a full database export, and get the fee in writing first.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

A contacts file, report exports, and a full export on request

Documents

Not part of the basic data LollyLaw lists. Ask support.

Trust records

Not documented. Ask support what the full export includes.

Watch for

LollyLaw’s terms make your content subject to deletion after termination. Request the export before you cancel.

From LollyLaw’s own help: Terms of service

Full export

1. Email MerusCase support and ask for a full data export.
2. Download it from the password-protected Dropbox link they send. Large exports arrive on an encrypted drive.

Per case and per table

1. Open a case, then Files > Document Archive, for a ZIP of every document and a CSV of case activity.
2. On any table, click the printer icon and choose Export Table as Excel or CSV. The file lands in your MerusCase inbox.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

XML for the full export, plus Excel, CSV and ZIP files

Documents

One ZIP per case from Document Archive, or inside the full export.

Trust records

Each case has a client account ledger with no documented export. Ask support to confirm it is in the XML.

Watch for

The full export costs $500 per backup and arrives as XML, which needs mapping before anyone can read it.

From MerusCase’s own help: Requesting a copy of your data, Exporting a table

Full Backup

1. Click your name, then Settings > Import/Export, and open Full Backup.
2. Click Create Backup and choose CSV.
3. Set the scope to all firm cases and tick Include archived items.
4. Click Create Backup again, wait while it shows Pending, then download the ZIP.

Trust report

1. Run Reports > Financial reports > Trust account activity for all dates and export it as CSV.

Documents

1. Open each case, go to its Documents tab, and choose Actions > Download all case documents.

Runs as

Cloud, part of 8am

Export gives you

A ZIP of CSVs covering cases, clients, companies, time, expenses, invoices, tasks, appointments, messages and trust activity

Documents

Not in the backup. Download them case by case.

Trust records

Trust activity travels in the backup with every transaction. The activity report gives you a copy to check against.

Watch for

MyCase allows one Full Backup a day. The default scope can cover only your own cases, and archived items stay out unless you tick the box.

From MyCase’s own help: Getting your data out, Downloading case documents, Trust account activity report

Needles

1. Run the Needles Backup program on the server to back up the open database.
2. Collect the database and log files it produces.
3. For readable copies, print the Case Listings, Mailing Labels and Case Notes reports to file as Excel with headings.

Neos

1. Open Reports and run the Cases, Names, Parties and Case Notes master report templates, plus Appointments.
2. If a report errors out, filter it by date and run it in pieces.

Runs as

Needles on your own server; Neos in the cloud. Both come from Assembly.

Export gives you

Needles: database backup files. Neos: Excel reports.

Documents

Not confirmed in either export. Ask Assembly support how to copy your document store.

Trust records

Not documented. Export your trust ledger from whichever program keeps it.

Watch for

Ask Assembly which database engine and version you run, and send that with the backup.

1. On the SharePoint library, choose Sync and sign in to the OneDrive app.
2. Right-click the synced folder and choose Always keep on this device so every file downloads.
3. Copy the folder once it finishes. For a small folder, select it on the web and click Download instead.

Runs as

Microsoft 365 cloud storage

Export gives you

The original files through sync, or a ZIP from the web

Documents

The files themselves.

Watch for

Web ZIPs top out around 20 GB, paths longer than 400 characters fail, and OneNote notebooks do not download.

From OneDrive and SharePoint’s own help: Downloading files and folders, SharePoint limits

Full backup

1. Lock the system from Options > Administrator > Lock System. PCLaw tells every user to exit.
2. Go to File > Backup/Restore > Backup Data.
3. Name the file, click Save, and wait for the progress bar to reach 100%.

Exports

1. Contacts: File > Contact Manager > Export, saved as CSV.
2. Matters: File > Matter > Export, once for open matters and once for closed.
3. Unbilled time, appointments and to-dos: open the register under Data Entry > Register and use the Excel button.
4. Trust: run Reports > Client > Trust Listing with the end date set years ahead so it covers every date.

Runs as

Desktop accounting and billing on your office server

Export gives you

A PCLaw archive file, plus CSV and Excel exports

Documents

PCLaw does not export them. Copy the folders where your firm stores client files.

Trust records

The archive holds the trust books. Trust Listing gives you each client’s balance to check against.

Watch for

Lock the system first. A backup taken while someone is posting can miss their entries.

Lists

1. Contacts: open Contacts, filter to primary contacts, then choose Export to Excel > Export All.
2. Matters: open Matters, set the filters to any user, any status and all time, then Export All.
3. Time and expenses: use the Excel icon on the Time Entries page and on More > Expenses.
4. Tasks, notes, calls and events: open Activities, filter to one type at a time, and export each.

Trust

1. Go to More > Reports > Payments, run the account ledger report with the bank account set to your trust account, and export it to Excel.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

One Excel file per list

Documents

PracticePanther does not document a bulk download. Ask its support team how to get your files out.

Trust records

The account ledger report lists every trust transaction by contact or by matter.

Watch for

Every Activities export downloads under the same file name, so rename each one as it lands.

From PracticePanther’s own help: Exporting contacts, Exporting time entries, Trust account ledger

Database backup

1. On the server, open SQL Server Management Studio and connect.
2. Right-click the ProLaw database, choose Tasks > Back Up, and set the type to Full.
3. Replace the default destination with a new file ending in .bak and click OK.

Documents

1. Copy the ProLaw document folder from the file server. ProLaw names the files with numbers, so the folder and the database backup have to travel together.

Runs as

Elite ProLaw on your own SQL Server

Export gives you

A SQL Server .bak and a copy of the document folder

Documents

On the ProLaw file server under numbered file names. Send the whole folder.

Trust records

Held in the database. Print your last trust reconciliation to check the migrated balances against.

Watch for

Elite publishes its own instructions behind a customer login. Ask Elite support if your version’s menus differ.

Clients and trust

1. Open the Customer Center, click the Excel menu, and choose Export Customer List.
2. Go to Reports > Custom Reports > Transaction Detail, set the dates to all, filter to the trust account, and total by customer.
3. Export it through the Excel menu to a new worksheet.
4. Run Reports > Customers & Receivables > Transaction List by Customer for a second view to check against.

Chart of accounts

1. Sign in as the admin in single-user mode, then choose File > Utilities > Export > Lists to IIF Files.

Runs as

Windows accounting on your computer or server

Export gives you

Excel worksheets and IIF list files

Documents

QuickBooks does not store them. Copy the folders your firm keeps them in.

Trust records

Rebuild it from the Transaction Detail report on the trust account, totalled by customer.

Watch for

IIF exports need the admin login and single-user mode. Export large lists one at a time.

From QuickBooks Desktop’s own help: Importing and exporting Excel files, Exporting IIF files

Export data

1. Open the gear and choose Export data under Tools.
2. Pick a reason, set the date range on the Reports tab, and tick the lists you need.
3. Click Export to Excel for one ZIP of Excel files.

Trust and clients

1. Run Reports > General Ledger filtered to the trust bank account across all dates, and export it to Excel.
2. Run the Customer Contact List and export it, since your customers and projects are your clients and matters.
3. Export attachments from Lists > Attachments using Batch actions.

Runs as

Cloud accounting

Export gives you

A ZIP of Excel files

Documents

Attachments export separately. For files kept in a drive, see Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.

Trust records

QuickBooks has no client sub-ledger. Each client’s history rebuilds from the trust account ledger only where every entry names the client.

Watch for

After you cancel a paid plan you keep read-only access for a year, so you can still export.

From QuickBooks Online’s own help: Exporting reports, lists and data, Exporting customer data

Search export

1. Click the gear in the global search box to open Advanced Search.
2. Set the dates to cover your whole history and type * in the Client field.
3. Click Search, then the green Export button for a CSV.
4. Switch to the Contacts, Matters, Activities and Tags tabs and export each the same way.

Trust

1. Open Trust Accounts in Ledger view, click Refresh Data, then Export.
2. Run the Client Trust Details report for each client’s running balance.

Runs as

Cloud

Export gives you

CSV files per record type

Documents

One at a time from each matter’s documents list. Ask Rocket Matter support for a bulk copy.

Trust records

The ledger holds every trust transaction. Client Trust Details leaves out adjustments and pending transfers.

Watch for

Rocket Matter deletes your data as of the next billing date after you cancel, so export first. NextGen accounts may show different menus.

From Rocket Matter’s own help: Advanced Search export, Trust ledger, Canceling an account

1. Use the export icon on any table, or export Case Browse results to Excel.
2. Run the notes table’s full export, which ignores filters and outputs every note.
3. Export the Lien and Disbursement reports.
4. Ask SmartAdvocate support for a full .bak backup and your documents. Firms on the server version can copy both themselves.

Runs as

Your own SQL Server, or cloud-hosted

Export gives you

Excel or CSV per table, or a .bak with a compressed document archive

Documents

Support sends them compressed alongside the backup. On the server version they sit on your document drive.

Trust records

If your firm keeps trust in QuickBooks, follow the QuickBooks steps on this page.

Watch for

Download the backup within two weeks of delivery. A repeat request can cost extra.

From SmartAdvocate’s own help: SmartAdvocate user manual (PDF)

Data export

1. In the web app, click the Settings gear, then Data import/export > Import/Export > Data export.
2. Pick a reason for the export and continue.
3. Tick every data set, paid invoices included, and click Export.
4. Download the ZIP when it is ready. Smokeball can take up to an hour.

Trust

1. In Smokeball Billing, run the Trust Transactions report for all dates and save it as CSV.
2. Run Trust Balances as at your cutoff date for the check figures.

Runs as

Cloud, with a Windows desktop app and a web app

Export gives you

A ZIP of CSV files

Documents

Not in the export tool. Ask Smokeball support for a bulk copy. The desktop “download all matter files” option only caches files on one computer.

Trust records

Trust Transactions lists every movement. Trust Balances gives each client’s figure on a chosen date.

Watch for

The export tool has no calendar option. Ask support how to take your calendar with you.

From Smokeball’s own help: Data export tool, Billing reports

Backup on your own server

1. In Quick Launch, search for Back Up Data Files and open it.
2. Clear any Conflicting Activities warning, then run the backup.
3. Collect the STBACK.ARQ archive from the dated folder under BACKUP.

CSV exports from PracticeMaster

1. Go to Maintenance > File Maintenance and open the client, contact, journal, calendar, cost and fee files in turn.
2. Use Utility > Export Data on each and save it as CSV.
3. For trust, open Trust Accounting and run Reports > Trust Account List Report.

Tabs3 Cloud

1. Ask Tabs3 for a copy of your data while your subscription is active. Tabs3 charges extra for a firm’s own backup copy.

Runs as

On your own server, or Tabs3 Cloud hosted by Tabs3

Export gives you

An STBACK.ARQ archive, or one CSV per file

Documents

The backup carries PracticeMaster email attachments. Copy any document folders your firm links to.

Trust records

Trust Accounting data travels inside the backup.

Watch for

Tabs3 Cloud data stops being accessible when the subscription ends. Each backup archive tops out at 2 GB.

From Tabs3’s own help: Backing up data files, Tabs3 Cloud backups

Full backup

1. Have every user exit Time Matters.
2. Go to File > Backup Time Matters Data and check the destination.
3. Leave “Skip files in the Document and Document Index Directories” unticked so your documents come with it.
4. Click OK, then Yes when it asks to run the second part.

CSV export

1. Go to File > Export > Custom Export, choose comma-delimited, and run it once for contacts and once for matters.

Runs as

Desktop and server software on SQL Server or SQL Express

Export gives you

A SQL Server .bak plus a TMMON.ZIP of shared files

Documents

Included, unless someone ticks the Skip box for document directories.

Trust records

Time Matters does not keep a trust ledger. Export trust from PCLaw or whichever program runs your accounts.

Watch for

A second backup on the same day overwrites the first, and the Professional edition caps the zip at 2 GB.

From Time Matters’s own help: Time Matters 11.1 upgrade guide (backup steps)

Report Writer

1. On the Home ribbon, open Reports > Report Writer.
2. Click Edit Queries, name a query, pick a table such as Contacts, and add each field with the condition SHOW.
3. Select the query, set the export format to Excel, and click Export.

Full backup

1. Ask TrialWorks support for a full .bak backup, or have your IT person take one in SQL Server Management Studio.
2. Copy the CaseFiles folder from the server. Hosted firms ask TrialWorks to send it.

Runs as

Your own SQL Server, or hosted by TrialWorks

Export gives you

Excel per query, or a SQL Server .bak

Documents

In the CaseFiles folder on the server.

Trust records

Not documented. Export trust from your accounting program.

Watch for

Depending on your version, TrialWorks may ask you to send a hard drive for the backup.

From TrialWorks’s own help: Custom reports