Backing up and restoring bookmarks - Firefox: Difference between revisions

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===Import HTML===
===Import HTML===
Any bookmarks file stored in HTML format, such as bookmarks exported from Firefox or another browser, must be imported rather than restored.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=422919]  To import a bookmarks HTML file, open  the Firefox 3 Library window  and select  "Import and Backup -> Import HTML... -> from an HTML File".  When the file picker appears, navigate to the folder that contains the bookmarks HTML file you wish to use and select that file.  The "Import HTML" feature of the Library window will add the contents of any bookmarks file in HTML format to your current bookmarks.  If you wish to use a bookmarkd HTML file to replace your current  bookmarks,  instead of adding to them, can start in Firefox [[Safe Mode]], select the option, "Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults", and choose  "Make Changes and Restart",  before importing the bookmarks file.   
Any bookmarks file stored in HTML format, such as bookmarks exported from Firefox or another browser, must be imported rather than restored.  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=422919]  To import a bookmarks HTML file, open  the Firefox 3 Library window  and select  "Import and Backup -> Import HTML... -> from an HTML File".  When the file picker appears, navigate to the folder that contains the bookmarks HTML file you wish to use and select that file.  The "Import HTML" feature of the Library window will add the contents of any bookmarks file in HTML format to your current bookmarks.  If you wish to use a bookmarked HTML file to replace your current  bookmarks,  instead of adding to them, can start in Firefox [[Safe Mode]], select the option, "Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults", and choose  "Make Changes and Restart",  before importing the bookmarks file.   


Only files in HTML format can be imported.  To replace your current bookmarks with a bookmark backup file stored  in JSON format,  you should use the "Import and Backup -> Restore" feature  ([[#Restoring bookmarks from backup|see above]]).
Only files in HTML format can be imported.  To replace your current bookmarks with a bookmark backup file stored  in JSON format,  you should use the "Import and Backup -> Restore" feature  ([[#Restoring bookmarks from backup|see above]]).

Revision as of 22:38, 10 June 2009

This article applies to Firefox 3

Creating bookmark backups

Firefox 3 automatically creates daily rotating backups of your bookmarks. The five most recent bookmark backup files are stored in the bookmarkbackups folder, located in the Firefox profile folder. You can also create your own bookmark backups, by opening the Firefox Library window ("Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks") and using the Backup feature ("Import and Backup -> Backup..."). The Backup feature allows you to save a bookmark backup file (e.g., "Bookmarks 2009-05-22.json") to the location of your choice. All Firefox 3 backup files are stored in JSON format and can be restored from the Library window of any Firefox 3 installation, as shown below.

Restoring bookmarks from backup

You can replace your current bookmarks with a backup by opening the Firefox 3 Library window and using the "Restore" feature ("Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks -> Import and Backup -> Restore..." ). You can select one of the five dated backups that Firefox automatically creates or you can use the "Choose File..." option to select another bookmark backup file, such as a backup you created yourself or one from the bookmarkbackups folder of another profile. If you choose your own bookmark backup file, it must be in JSON format (any bookmarks saved in HTML format, such as exported bookmarks, must be imported). [1]

Note: If you see the error, Unable to process the backup file, read this article.

You can also restore your bookmarks by exiting Firefox and removing the places.sqlite file from the Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild the Places database from the latest automatic JSON backup or, if no JSON file is found, from a bookmarks.html file, as detailed here; however, you will lose your browsing history.

Import and Export

Firefox and many other browsers allow you to import bookmarks from an HTML file and export bookmarks to an HTML file. In Firefox 3 this is done from the Library window ("Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks") using the "Import HTML" and "Export HTML" features.

Import HTML

Any bookmarks file stored in HTML format, such as bookmarks exported from Firefox or another browser, must be imported rather than restored. [2] To import a bookmarks HTML file, open the Firefox 3 Library window and select "Import and Backup -> Import HTML... -> from an HTML File". When the file picker appears, navigate to the folder that contains the bookmarks HTML file you wish to use and select that file. The "Import HTML" feature of the Library window will add the contents of any bookmarks file in HTML format to your current bookmarks. If you wish to use a bookmarked HTML file to replace your current bookmarks, instead of adding to them, can start in Firefox Safe Mode, select the option, "Reset bookmarks to Firefox defaults", and choose "Make Changes and Restart", before importing the bookmarks file.

Only files in HTML format can be imported. To replace your current bookmarks with a bookmark backup file stored in JSON format, you should use the "Import and Backup -> Restore" feature (see above).

Export HTML

You can also export your bookmarks to an HTML file by opening the Library window and selecting "Import and Backup -> Export HTML...". Name the file (bookmarks.html is the default) and select a location to save the HTML file.

Note: Due to a bug (fixed in Firefox 3.5) sometimes after using the Export HTML feature, no bookmarks HTML file is saved. You may be able to fix the problem by backing up your bookmarks to a JSON file and then restoring the backup file (see above). See Unable to export bookmarks to HTML file - Firefox for more information.