Time Machine restores selected files/folders, or ALL backed up files?

[MacJim]

iMac mid-2011, Sierra v10.12.6, 1tb internal HD, Apple Mail v10.3, 4tb external Time Machine backup HD, no Cloud

A recent system halt (black screen, dead mouse, no response) messed up my Contacts folder and some email folders. After rebooting successfully, I didn't see the need for a TM restore because apps I used seemed normal. Several days later I noticed Contacts had NO CARDS/GROUPS.

A couple days ago Apple Support performed remote support and restored the Contacts system .. seemed normal at the time. Today I noted that emails stored after several months ago are missing.

I want to use TM to restore just Contacts files from a selected date, then back up. Then I want to use TM to restore only email folders, without replacing the just-restored Contacts files.

QUESTION: Can Time Machine restorations be instructed to restore just certain folders/files, or does a restoration restore ALL files that were changed since the previous backup?

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[JezzerP]

Sorry for the late response, but yes, it is possible to restore certain folders/files using Time Machine....take a look here:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/restore-files-mh11422/mac