Say you have an existing QuickBase application that you love. In fact, you think that the application would be a perfect tool for managing your new project. But the existing application is already filled with data, none of which relates to your new project. You'd like a way to copy the shell of this application to use as a template, but you want to leave the data behind. No problem. You can easily create a new application that has the same tables, fields, reports, custom forms, and roles as an existing application by copying the structure of the application.
Note: You can also create a sandbox application you can use to develop and test changes you want to make to your application. Use a sandbox application rather than an application copy if you want to make and test changes in the sandbox, and then apply changes to the live application. See Updating your QuickBase application using a sandbox application for more information.
To copy the structure of an application:
Open the application that you want to copy.
In the menu bar on any application page do one of the following:
Select Customize > Application and click the Management tab.
Select Customize > Import/Export and then click the Copy this application radio button.
Click Copy application.
Note: If Copy application isn't listed, then the Application Manager has not granted you permission to copy the application.
Enter a new name and description (optional) for the application.
Tell QuickBase what to copy.
To copy only the shell of the application and leave its data behind, select Copy this application without data. (Or, if you want, you can retain the application's contents by selecting the copy this application with data option.)
QuickBase also brings your list of users along for the ride. You can leave them in their current roles, or wait to assign roles by choosing one of the following:
Copy users in their roles radio button duplicates the list of users and assigns them to their existing roles.
Copy users and roles separately. Select this option if you don't want to share the new application with anyone, or expect to invite a different set of users. Your user list appears in the new application, but no user has access. The same roles are available but they're not assigned to any users yet.
Note: When you copy users in their assigned roles, you automatically grant them access to the new application. They're rarely aware of this until you invite them to access the new application.
When you've made your selections, click Copy Application.
The new identical application (empty of data) opens for you to work with.
Once you've created your copy, you may want to take some additional steps:
Invite users. Say you've created an empty application so your users can fill it with new entries. Even if you chose to grant users of the original application access to the new one by leaving their roles in place, you should bring the new application to their attention. To do so, go to the Manage Users page and invite them.
Activate existing emails. When QuickBase copies your application, it copies any automated emails you've set up, but deactivates them in the new application. If you want QuickBase to start churning out emails from your new application, you must actively activate them. (Read how to activate and deactivate notifications, subscriptions and reminders.)
Note: If the application you're copying has a shared multiple-choice list that points to field in an outside application, the list will still draw from to the field and application you specified when you set it up. However, if a shared multiple choice field points to a field within the same application, that shared multiple choice setup will be copied in its entirety. In other words, within the copied application, the shared multiple choice field points to the copied source multiple choice field. Read more about shared multiple choice fields.