Synchronizing databases copies information contained in the Master Menu tables of one database and adds (inserts) that information into another database.
- When synchronizing databases, no information is removed from the Source database. It is only being added to the Destination database.
- Information that already exists in the Destination database will be updated to reflect what the Source database contains.
- Synchronizing databases does not copy or transfer any Projects; only the Master Tables are affected. To transfer Projects from one database to another, see Copying and Pasting Projects and Using CloudSync to share a Project within your Organization.
- Synchronizing databases does not copy over the New Project settings configured under Tools > Options. You configure these separately for every database.
- Synchronizing database does copy over the General and Folders settings configured under Tools > Options.
- When synchronizing databases, all Master Tables or a combination of Tables can be synchronized (by default, all Master Tables are copied to the new database). You can adjust this before synchronizing.
- With the Sept 14, 2026 release, Organization Admins can now sync Master Tables to your CloudSync database. Users can then sync from the CloudSync database so every uses the same Master information.
How to Synchronize Local and Network Databases
- Click Tools > Synchronize Databases - the Synchronize Databases dialog opens
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- Select the Source database - this is the database that has the 'stuff' you want to copy over to the other database
- Select the Destination database - this is the database into which you want to copy information from the Source database
By default, the option to Synchronize all Master menu tables is selected. If you want to synchronize only certain tables, uncheck the box next to Synchronize all Master menu tables and select only specific tables to synchronize. Some tables are dependent on other tables - for example, Styles is dependent on Condition Types and Layers so those tables would automatically be selected if you check Styles.
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- Click Start
When synchronization is complete the new database will include the selected Master information.
Some companies keep a Master (template) Database (such as CloudSync, below) and synchronize to this when creating new databases for each project, month, quarter, etc. - however they've chosen to organize their databases. This can save a great deal of time when setting up new databases and ensures every database contains the same settings and Master information.
Synching Masters To and From the Cloud
Syncing your Masters to and from your CloudSync database allows you (and your Organization) to store a copy of your Masters in the Cloud.
Only Organization Admins can sync TO the CloudSync database. All users can sync FROM the CloudSync database to a local database, though.
Master CloudSync is available to Advanced, Premium maintenance users and Essential, Core, Plus or Professional subscriptions.
Basically, all you do is select your CloudSync database as the Source or Destination.
Admins Syncing TO the CloudSync Database
To sync to the CloudSync database, set it as the Destination:
The CloudSync database name is “Cloud” followed by your (Organization’s name).
Just like syncing local/network databases, you can select which tables you want to sync to/from the Cloud.
If a user who is not an Organization Admin tries to sync TO the CloudSync database, they receive an error:
Users Syncing FROM the CloudSync Database
Users who want to pull down Master data from the Cloud select the CloudSync database as the Source:
Viewing CloudSync Master Data
To view the data/tables that have been stored in your CloudSync database, click Master > Master (Company Name).
This opens a new window where you can view all the Master information stored in the CloudSync database.
This is a view-only window. To make any changes to CloudSync Master information, the Admin would sync from the Cloud to a new database, make the changes in the local Masters, then sync those changes back to the CloudSync database.
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