Files & Databases Tab - Environment Options
Configure file operations, autosave, settings linking, default file paths, and database connections. Access via Options → Environment… → Files & Databases tab.
File Operations
Confirm overwrites
Prompts for confirmation before overwriting existing files.
Default: Checked (enabled)
Impact:
- When ON (recommended): Prevents accidental data loss by requiring confirmation.
- When OFF + Autosave ON: SwissSys saves changes automatically without prompts.
Disabling this setting removes an important safety check. Keep enabled unless you fully understand the implications.
When to disable: This setting should be left enabled. It should only be turned off if you have very specific file management needs regarding the level of prompts meant to prevent accidental data loss.
Save profile on quit
Preserves all optional settings when closing SwissSys, maintaining consistent settings across sessions.
Default: Checked (enabled)
When to disable: This setting should be left enabled and only turned off if you have specific profile setting needs.
Prompt for batch operations
Controls whether SwissSys asks for confirmation during multi-section exports.
Default: Checked (enabled)
When to disable: If you regularly export multiple sections and consistently choose the same option.
Default to version 10 file format
Saves tournament files in the older version 10 Excel format.
Default: Unchecked (turned off)
When to enable: When sharing files with users who haven’t upgraded to current SwissSys versions.
Trade-off: Older format may lack newer features available in current file format.
Minimal tempfiles (& undo options)
Disables the creation of temporary files used for the Undo feature.
Default: Unchecked (turned off)
Impact:
- When UNCHECKED (default): Undo functionality is fully available. Operations like viewing pairings, moving players, deleting players, etc. create a temporary backup file that allows you to undo the operation.
- When CHECKED: Undo functionality is no longer available. The Undo menu option changes to “Can’t undo. (Minimal tempfiles.)” No temporary files are created, reducing disk I/O.
When to enable: Enable this if you’re running SwissSys on a slow storage device (older hard drive, network drive, USB drive) and want to reduce disk writes.
Trade-off: Disabling temp files improves performance on slow storage but removes the safety net of being able to undo actions.
Space before -e (USCF)
Inserts a space before a trailing -e in a player’s last name when generating the USCF ratings report.
Default: Unchecked (turned off)
Impact:
- When CHECKED: A last name ending in
-eis exported with a leading space, for exampleSmith-e, JamesbecomesSmith -e, James. - When UNCHECKED (default): Names are exported exactly as they are stored.
Scope: Affects only the USCF dBase export (the player-name field in tdexport.dbf). The FIDE and DWZ rating reports are not affected. The original e/E capitalization is preserved, and names that already have a space before -e are left unchanged.
When to enable: Only if your USCF ratings submission needs the spaced -e format for affected last names. Leave it off otherwise.
Autosave
Automatically saves tournament files at critical moments during tournament operations.
Default: Checked (enabled)
Impact: automatic save points:
- Before generating pairings
- After entering results
- Before major operations that modify tournament data
When to disable: This setting should be left enabled for all tournaments to prevent data loss.
Works with: Combine with “Confirm overwrites” setting to control the level of save prompts you receive.
Save backups automatically
Automatically creates timestamped backup files of your tournament at regular intervals.
Default: Checked (enabled)
Impact:
- When CHECKED (default): SwissSys automatically saves backup files every 15 minutes to a
\Backups\subfolder in your tournament folder - When UNCHECKED: Backups are no longer saved automatically, but you can still create manual backups via the File menu
- Backup filename format:
[TournamentName] Backup~Rd[Round][DateTime].BK - Example:
Spring Open Backup~Rd5C 20231215-143025.BK
Note: This setting can also be toggled from the main menu: File → Save backups automatically
When to disable: This setting should be left enabled for almost all situations. Rare exceptions might be if you are managing backups manually or if disk space is very limited.
Recommendation: Keep this enabled for data protection, especially during active tournament rounds.
Settings to link with the section
This option controls how SwissSys saves pairing and display settings with your tournament file. Choose the method that best fits your workflow:
| Method | Where Settings Are Stored | Best For | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | Application settings only | Consistent settings across all tournaments | Simple setup; settings don’t change between tournaments |
| Basic | Tournament file (.sjson) | Tournament-specific pairing rules | Common settings travel with the file; each section can differ |
| Full | Tournament file + separate .ini files | Advanced users with complex multi-section events | Maximum flexibility; complete control per section |
| Integrated (Recommended) | Tournament file (.sjson) only | Sharing tournaments with others | Fully self-contained; no external files needed |
On a fresh install the default is “None”. However, clicking the Factory Settings button on the Environment Options dialog resets this to “Basic”, not “None”.
What pairing and display settings are saved with each method
Note: Core tournament data (players, pairings, section setup, etc.) is always saved in the .sjson file. This setting only controls where certain pairing rules and display preferences are stored.
The following settings come from your computer (application INI file), not the tournament file:
- Pairing restrictions - Setup → Rules for pairing… → Restrictions tab
- All USCF pairing rules and advanced options - Setup → Rules for pairing… → USCF tab
- Bye strictness - Setup → Rules for pairing… → Byes tab
- Plus2/Minus2 rules - Setup → Rules for pairing… → Team tab
- Wall chart display - Right click on standings/wallchart → Format options… → Wallchart tab
- Standings display - Right click on standings/wallchart → Format options… → Standings tab
- Tiebreak configuration - Setup → Tiebreaks
Basic: Saves a handful of pairing/display settings in the tournament file:
- In tournament file: Pairing restrictions, bye strictness, Plus2/Minus2 rules, wall chart display, standings display, tiebreak configuration
- Still from computer: All USCF pairing rules and advanced options
Full: Saves Basic settings in tournament file plus all USCF pairing rules in separate .ini files per section.
Integrated: Saves everything Full mode saves, but all embedded in the tournament file—no separate .ini files.
Integrated mode was introduced in v11.76. Files with Integrated settings will silently fall back to computer-level settings when opened in v11.75 or earlier.
We recommend using “Integrated” for most users. It makes your tournament completely portable while preserving all your pairing settings. If you regularly share tournament files with other directors or work on multiple computers, Integrated ensures everything travels together.
For more detailed information about these modes, see Link Settings with Section.
Use “None” if you run similar tournaments repeatedly and want consistent behavior without per-tournament configuration.
Default File Locations
Event File Locations
Controls where SwissSys looks for tournament files by default when opening or saving.
| Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Current tournament’s folder | Uses the folder of the currently loaded tournament file |
| Last used folder | Remembers the last folder you browsed to |
| Custom default path | Always opens to a fixed folder you specify |
Choose “Current tournament’s folder” to keep related files together. Choose “Custom default path” if all your tournaments are stored in one location.
Database File Locations
Controls where SwissSys looks for database files by default.
| Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Remember last used folder | Remembers the last folder you browsed to for databases |
| Custom default path | Always opens to a fixed folder you specify |
Database File Paths
Configure the locations of various database and reference files used by SwissSys.
Primary database file
Specifies the main player database for registration (USCF database or custom database).
Setting location: Usually configured via the Database wizard or Database Setup dialog.
Purpose: Primary source for player ratings, IDs, and contact information during registration.
Note: Configure which rating types to use from this database in Rating Configuration.
Secondary database file
Provides an additional database source for player lookups.
When to use: When maintaining a secondary database for backup player data or supplemental information.
Note: Configure which rating types to use from this database in Rating Configuration.
Network database
Specifies the database file used for Network Mode operations.
Purpose: Shared database for multi-station registration setups.
Club list path
Location of your current club list file.
Alternative setting: File → Club → Change current club
Purpose: Maintains the list of chess clubs for player affiliation tracking.
Team name file
Storage location for team codes and their full names.
Purpose: Automatically loads saved team name expansions when SwissSys starts, providing consistent team naming across tournaments.
Related Topics
- Display – Section panels, name formats, key codes, and visual preferences
- Ratings – Rating sources, formulas, and online search preferences
- Link Settings with Section – Detailed guide to settings linking modes
- Network Mode – Multi-station registration setup