Backup Templates

Templates save your backup configurations for reuse. Create once, use repeatedly for consistent backups.

What Are Templates?

Templates store:

• Backup type (full, selective)
• Resource selections
• Configuration options
• Naming conventions

Creating Templates

From Scratch

1. Go to Backup > Templates
2. Click Create Template
3. Configure:
   • Template name
   • Backup type
   • Resource selections
   • Default options
4. Click Save Template

From Existing Backup

1. Open a backup in history
2. Click Save as Template
3. Enter template name
4. Modify if needed
5. Save

Template Configuration

Basic Settings

Resource Selection

For selective templates:

• Choose default resource types
• Can be overridden when using

Default Options

Set defaults for:

• Backup naming pattern
• Description template
• Retention period
• Notification settings

Naming Patterns

Use variables in names:

Example: {tenant}-{type}-{date} → Contoso-Full-2024-01-15

Using Templates

Create Backup from Template

1. Go to Backup > Create
2. Click From Template
3. Select template
4. Review/modify settings
5. Start backup

Quick Backup

Templates enable quick backups:

1. Go to Backup > Templates
2. Click Run on template
3. Backup starts immediately with defaults

Managing Templates

Edit Templates

1. Open template
2. Click Edit
3. Modify settings
4. Save changes

Delete Templates

1. Select template
2. Click Delete
3. Confirm deletion

Backups created from the template remain.

Duplicate Templates

Create variations:

1. Open template
2. Click Duplicate
3. Modify new template
4. Save with new name

Template Examples

Critical Config Backup

For high-priority configurations:

Name: Critical Security Backup
Type: Selective
Resources:
  ✓ Conditional Access Policies
  ✓ Security Defaults
  ✓ Authentication Methods
  ✓ Admin Role Assignments
Retention: 365 days

Compliance Snapshot

For audit evidence:

Name: Compliance Evidence Backup
Type: Full
Description: Monthly compliance snapshot
Retention: 730 days (2 years)
Naming: Compliance-{date}

Change Management

For change windows:

Name: Pre-Change Backup
Type: Selective
Description: Capture before planned changes
Retention: 90 days

Best Practices

Standard Templates

Create templates for common scenarios:

• Weekly maintenance backups
• Pre-change snapshots
• Post-change documentation
• Compliance captures

Consistent Naming

Use naming patterns:

• Include date for uniqueness
• Include purpose for clarity
• Use standard prefixes

Review Periodically

Templates may need updates when:

• New resource types available
• Requirements change
• API capabilities expand

What's Next?

• Schedules - Automate template execution
• Creating Backups - Manual backups
• Restoring - Use backups for recovery