How to backup a Blogger template

Why do I need to backup my blog template? you may ask. Because sometimes unexpected things happen, i.e. you accidentally mess up your layout. If you have the backup layout stored in your PC, then reverting to the original is easy. Less headache for you.

You want to backup your template every time you want to tinker with the code. Better yet always keep a latest version of your template stored in your PC.

Now that you understand the importance of having a template backup, let’s start doing it:


Backing up a template (updated)

  1. Log in to your Blogger account (if you haven’t logged in already).
  2. Go to Template > Edit HTML. Your screen will look like this:backup template
  3. Position your cursor inside the code window, right click and choose Select All. (You don't have to expand/unfold the template prior to Select All because it will always select the expanded template regardless of you expanding the template or not)
  4. Copy the code and paste it in Notepad or any text editor.
  5. Keep the file in a safe place. For the sake of this tutorial, let’s name the file MyTemplateBackup.txt.
  6. That’s it, you’ve backed up your blog template!


Restoring a template

Now whenever you want to restore your template, simply:

  1. Repeat step 1 to 3 above.
  2. Open MyTemplateBackup.txt., Select All and copy.
  3. Position the cursor inside your template code window, right click and Select All.
  4. Click Paste. The template code will be replaced by the code from MyTemplateBackup.txt.
  5. … and your template is restored.

Enjoy!

28 comments to "How to backup a Blogger template"

admin June 26, 2009 at 4:02 PM    

thnx
it was very helpful

Greenlava June 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM    

You're welcome admin. Visit again...

Rebecca October 12, 2009 at 1:54 AM    

Greenlava, why am I getting this message when I try to open my backed up template on my computer. In essence, I'm unable to back up my template?

The XML page cannot be displayed
Cannot view XML input using style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later.

The server did not understand the request, or the request was invalid. Error processing resource 'http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtm...

Greenlava October 13, 2009 at 2:30 PM    

You can't open the template by itself (in order to view your blog). To revert to the backup template you have to upload the file back to Blogger (notice the Upload button screenshot in step 2).
But if you want to open the template for the purpose of doing offline editing, use a text editor e.g. Notepad.

Rebecca October 16, 2009 at 2:31 AM    

Got it! Thanks :)

So Chic Life March 1, 2010 at 6:18 AM    

Thanks for the instructions. I hope this works!
Alison R.

http://www.sassymominthecity.com

Prince Joshua Uweye (Jnr.) May 6, 2010 at 8:43 PM    

This tutorial was very useful to me, thanks a lot.

Greenlava May 7, 2010 at 8:23 PM    

@Joshua Uweye (Prince)
I'm glad you found it useful

Laura Weber July 4, 2010 at 1:40 PM    

Thank you so much! This is very helpful information!
Take care!

Greenlava July 4, 2010 at 2:32 PM    

@Laura Weber
Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon September 3, 2010 at 4:15 AM    

Yes, this was helpful. Blogger has made it alittle different since this was written. Much easier but still scary!I did a preview before & all seemed to go well! Thanks for helping this newbie (is there an updated word now for this?) Blogger! http://steppingbackintimecherishedcookbooks.blogspot.com

HEP January 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM    

Yea ... thank you!

Greenlava January 13, 2011 at 1:32 AM    

@Hennie Engglina Paulus
You're welcome. Check out the rest of the blog.

Archana February 10, 2011 at 7:53 PM    

thanks

Unknown April 21, 2011 at 1:35 PM    

good.. thanks for information

Anonymous,  July 11, 2011 at 10:47 AM    

For a newbie, this was great info to have.

d mindfreak August 10, 2011 at 5:01 AM    

thanks for this.....great info....so helpfull

Funny Gypsy March 16, 2012 at 12:40 AM    

Thank you! Very Helpful!! :)

Unknown June 9, 2012 at 9:40 AM    

thankszzz?

ismail October 4, 2012 at 4:01 AM    

Thank you ...!!

Unknown December 29, 2012 at 3:15 PM    

Why Pasing the my template back, do i still need to click Expand Widget before pasting?

Greenlava January 2, 2013 at 2:00 AM    

@Airvibez Nigeria
No need to click the Expand Widget Templates checkbox. But if you were to click it, it should work too.

Unknown January 17, 2013 at 9:09 AM    

Can i paste the code on Word and save it as backup?

Greenlava January 18, 2013 at 2:04 AM    

@Shirley Wong
Yes you can.

Taimoor January 29, 2013 at 8:56 PM    

dear thank you, you have explained it very well

Affordably Organic May 16, 2013 at 5:33 AM    

I don't seem to have a Expand Widget Templates checkbox. Help. :)

Anonymous,  May 16, 2013 at 12:12 PM    

Can you please update this. Apparently Blogger changed the screens. I cannot find a expand widget box to click anymore.

Greenlava May 18, 2013 at 2:27 PM    

@Affordably Organic
You can skip that step (ticking Expand Widget Templates). Just position the cursor inside the window and Select All. Copying that will automatically copy the expanded template.

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