Can I Merge or Split Companies Across Databases/Backups?

Business entities cannot be merged between backups or databases, but they can be split into separate backup files. Splitting is useful when payroll data for multiple companies has ended up in the same backup and you need to separate them — for example, when data has been shared between multiple PCs without a consistent backup chain.

To split two companies into separate backups:

1. Open the company that contains both entities and go to Tools >> Create Backup to save a backup containing both companies. Keep this safe — it is your starting point for both steps below.
2. Go to Entities >> Delete company and delete Company B, leaving only Company A. Then go to Tools >> Create Backup to save a backup containing only Company A.
3. Go to Tools >> Restore Backup and restore the original two-company backup you saved in step 1.
4. Go to Entities >> Delete company and delete Company A, leaving only Company B. Then go to Tools >> Create Backup to save a backup containing only Company B.

You now have two separate backup files, one for each company. For more information on creating and restoring backups, see How Can I Backup My Lightning Payroll Data?