Syncing iPad without losing purchased content already on the iPad

Question

Rookie question probably, but I've been downloading content in different forms on my iPad for months and I finally want to sync the device with the iTunes on my MacBook Air. When I try to do this, I get a message warning me that any content on my iPad will be deleted as a result of the sync. That's when I hit "cancel". I've had iPhones for years, been syncing them and purchasing content either on the iPhone or the laptop, and this has never been an issue. I don't remember doing anything special with respect to iTunes settings in the case of my iPhone, so what do I do for the iPad? I've backed it up to the iCloud, but I can't say I understand whether iCloud backups are connected to iTunes syncing.

Answer 1

You need to transfer the purchase that you have been making on the iPad into iTunes before you sync. Turn off auto sync first.
iTunes>Preferences>Devices, check the box at the bottom that will prevent the iPad from auto syncing. Click OK. Quit iTunes.
Connect the iPad to the computer and launch iTunes. Right click on the iPad name on the left side under the devices heading - then select - Transfer Purchases. That will put all of the stuff that you have been downloading for months into iTunes. Right click on the iPad name again - select Backup. (More about his at the end.)
Now go into each tab in iTunes, Info, Apps, Music, Photos, Movies - whatever you want to sync. Select all of the content that you want on the iPad. Make sure that all of the headings are checked - Sync Apps, Sync Music, etc. After you have finished making your selections, click on Apply in the lower right corner of iTunes.
You can turn auto sync on again when you are done if that is how you want to sync.
iCloud backups are separate from iTunes backups. You can use both or either. You can make the choice to backup in iTunes in the Info Pane of iTunes when the iPad is connected to the MBA and with iTunes running and the iPad selected. I wanted you to have a backup in iTunes if you are going to sync with iTunes.