Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to backing up data objects. One example provides, at a computing device, a method, comprising detecting one or more conditions triggering backup of a data object, and in response to detecting the one or more conditions, accessing the data object to retrieve, from metadata associated with the data object, instructions for backing up the data object. The method further comprises executing one or more backup sequences specified by the instructions in which at least a portion of the data object is backed up to one or more storage devices.