https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idi-p/1691062 <H2><FONT size="4">The Real Problem is</FONT></H2><P>In <SPAN class=""><SPAN class="">ArcGIS Online</SPAN></SPAN>:</P><UL><LI><P>No built-in full backup option</P></LI><LI><P>Backup jobs fail and must restart from scratch</P></LI><LI><P>Duplicate exports increase credit usage</P></LI><LI><P>No tracking of what’s already backed up</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><FONT size="4">🧪 Current Workaround (Python Script)</FONT></H2><P>To solve this, I built a Python script using the ArcGIS API that:</P><UL><LI><P>Exports hosted feature layers to <STRONG>File Geodatabase (.gdb)</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P>Saves <STRONG>Web Maps and Apps as JSON</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P>Downloads file-based items</P></LI><LI><P>Implements <STRONG>resume mode</STRONG> by skipping already backed-up items</P></LI><LI><P>Generates an <STRONG>inventory report (Excel)</STRONG> with status and errors</P></LI></UL><P>This works well, but requires custom development and ongoing maintenance.</P><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":light_bulb:">💡</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Proposed Solution</FONT></H2><P>A native tool should:</P><UL><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Support <STRONG>resume (skip existing items)</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Handle all major item types (layers, maps, apps, files)</P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Provide export consistency (no replica naming issues)</P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Generate built-in reports</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":direct_hit:">🎯</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Why It Matters</FONT></H2><UL><LI><P>Saves time on large backups</P></LI><LI><P>Reduces credit consumption</P></LI><LI><P>Improves reliability and disaster recovery</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":thumbs_up:">👍</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Call to Action</FONT></H2><P>If you're managing backups in ArcGIS Online, please upvote. A built-in resume-capable backup tool would be a huge improvement.</P> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:05:20 GMT VirajP 2026-03-17T17:05:20Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idi-p/1691062 <H2><FONT size="4">The Real Problem is</FONT></H2><P>In <SPAN class=""><SPAN class="">ArcGIS Online</SPAN></SPAN>:</P><UL><LI><P>No built-in full backup option</P></LI><LI><P>Backup jobs fail and must restart from scratch</P></LI><LI><P>Duplicate exports increase credit usage</P></LI><LI><P>No tracking of what’s already backed up</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><FONT size="4">🧪 Current Workaround (Python Script)</FONT></H2><P>To solve this, I built a Python script using the ArcGIS API that:</P><UL><LI><P>Exports hosted feature layers to <STRONG>File Geodatabase (.gdb)</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P>Saves <STRONG>Web Maps and Apps as JSON</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P>Downloads file-based items</P></LI><LI><P>Implements <STRONG>resume mode</STRONG> by skipping already backed-up items</P></LI><LI><P>Generates an <STRONG>inventory report (Excel)</STRONG> with status and errors</P></LI></UL><P>This works well, but requires custom development and ongoing maintenance.</P><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":light_bulb:">💡</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Proposed Solution</FONT></H2><P>A native tool should:</P><UL><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Support <STRONG>resume (skip existing items)</STRONG></P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Handle all major item types (layers, maps, apps, files)</P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Provide export consistency (no replica naming issues)</P></LI><LI><P><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":white_heavy_check_mark:">✅</span>Generate built-in reports</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":direct_hit:">🎯</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Why It Matters</FONT></H2><UL><LI><P>Saves time on large backups</P></LI><LI><P>Reduces credit consumption</P></LI><LI><P>Improves reliability and disaster recovery</P></LI></UL><HR /><H2><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":thumbs_up:">👍</span>&nbsp;<FONT size="4">Call to Action</FONT></H2><P>If you're managing backups in ArcGIS Online, please upvote. A built-in resume-capable backup tool would be a huge improvement.</P> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:05:20 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idi-p/1691062 VirajP 2026-03-17T17:05:20Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idc-p/1691068#M13867 <P>It's a good idea and can be quite difficult to manage when an organisation grows.</P><P>One solution I have seen a few others use is <A href="https://geo-jobe.com/products/backup-my-org/" target="_self">Geojobe</A> which offers out of the box tools fo<A href="https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idi-p/1691062/jump-to/first-unread-message#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Preview</A>r maintaining backups.&nbsp;</P> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:05:57 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idc-p/1691068#M13867 David_McRitchie 2026-03-17T17:05:57Z https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idc-p/1691540#M13875 <P>agreed I need this as well</P> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:56:21 GMT https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-online-ideas/automating-arcgis-online-backups-with-python/idc-p/1691540#M13875 TD1 2026-03-19T17:56:21Z