Can I reinstall one folder from backup?

[microwe]

I have backed up my Mac for years using SD. Today in error, I deleted a very important file from my documents folder. All the time I have used SD I have never had the need to call on my backup therefore I desperately need some help.

Can some knowledgeable user please advise if I can just reinstall the file I deleted or do I have to do a complete installation from my backup. Which ever option I have to do I would appreciate some basic step by step instructions so that I can retrieve this valuable file.

[dnanian]

Simply locate the folder on the backup drive in Finder and copy it as you would any other file...

[microwe]

Thank you for your quick reply. I tried to do that but when I tried to paste the file back where it was I got a message saying "The item on the clipboard can not be pasted to this location, one or more of the items may have been deleted or no longer available."

The file was so important that maybe I am not thinking straight! Any ideas?

[dnanian]

Are you sure you located it from the right place? Remember, you can't use the various shortcuts in the sidebar to get to a folder: you have to navigate to it directly.

[microwe]

I have navigated to it, selected it and ctrl clicked copy, and then tried to paste it back to my documents folder where it was originally, but then get the window already described.

[dnanian]

Perhaps try simply dragging it to your desktop first?