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# Snapshots

## Overview of snapshots

A snapshot is a read-only copy of a dataspace. Snapshots exist as a record of the state and contents of a dataspace at a given point in time.

##### See also

- Snapshot

## Creating a snapshot

A snapshot can be created from a dataspace by selecting that dataspace in the navigation pane of the Dataspaces area, then selecting Actions > Create a Snapshot in the workspace.

The following information is required:

Identifier | Unique identifier for the snapshot.
Label | Localized labels and descriptions associated with the snapshot.

## Viewing snapshot contents

To view the contents of a snapshot, select the snapshot, then select Actions > View datasets from the workspace.

## Snapshot information

You can modify the information associated with a snapshot by selecting Actions > Information.

Documentation | Localized labels and descriptions associated with the snapshot.
Current Owner | Owner of the snapshot, who is, by default, allowed to modify its information and permissions. The owner does not necessarily have to be the creator of the snapshot.
Change owner | Whether the current owner of the snapshot is allowed to give ownership to another profile by modifying its 'Current owner' property. If the value is 'Forbidden', only an administrator can modify the owner.

## Comparing a snapshot

You can compare the contents of a snapshot to those of another snapshot or dataspace in the repository. To perform a comparison, select the snapshot, then select Actions > Compare from the workspace.

The comparison wizard prompts you to select the dataspace or snapshot with which to compare the current snapshot.

For a faster comparison that ignores fields with inherited and computed values, select the filter 'Persisted values only'.

##### See also

- Compare contents

## Validating a snapshot

To perform a global validation of the contents of a snapshot, select Actions > Validate in the workspace.

##### Note

In order to use this service, you must have permission to validate every dataset contained in the snapshot.

## Export

To export a snapshot to an archive, open that snapshot, then select Actions > Export in the workspace. Once exported, only an administrator can retrieve the archive.

##### Note

See Archives directory in the Administration Guide for more information.

In order to export an archive, the following information must be specified:

Name of the archive to create | The name of the exported archive.
Datasets to export | The datasets to export from this snapshot. For each dataset, you can choose whether to export its data values, permissions, and information.

## Closing a snapshot

If a snapshot is no longer needed, it can be closed. Once it is closed, a snapshot no longer appears under its associated dataspace in the Dataspaces area, nor can it be accessed.

An administrator can reopen a closed dataspace as long as it has not been cleaned from the repository.

To close a snapshot, select Actions > Close this snapshot.

##### See also

- Closing unused dataspaces and snapshots

User guide table of contents

Documentation > User Guide > Dataspaces