Export tables from Baserow

Exports preserve your data structure and content but exclude certain elements like row comments and revision history.

Download table data in CSV, Excel, JSON, or XML format for backups, external analysis, or sharing. Export entire tables or specific views with all visible data and configurations.

Overview

Exporting creates downloadable copies of your table data in formats compatible with spreadsheet applications, databases, and analysis tools. You can export entire tables with all data or specific views that contain only filtered and sorted subsets. Exports capture the current state of your data, making them perfect for backups, reporting, or transferring information.

Exporting to Excel format

What gets exported

Included in exports: All field values in visible rows, field names as column headers, row order based on current sorting, and data formatted according to field types (dates, numbers, text, etc.).

Excluded from exports: Row comments and mentions don’t export since they’re metadata about rows rather than row data. Row revision history and audit logs also stay in Baserow. Collaborator information and user assignments are excluded, though the data in collaborator fields exports as names or emails.

Filter behavior: View exports respect active filters in your current view. If you’ve filtered to show only rows where Status equals “Active,” your export contains only those active rows. This is powerful for creating targeted reports, but it can accidentally exclude data if you forget about active filters. Remove all filters before exporting if you need complete table data.

Choosing an export format

Each format serves different purposes and works best with specific tools or workflows.

  • Export files creates a downloadable archive containing all files and images from file fields in your view, organized by row ID. Each row gets its own folder, making it easy to see which files belong to which records. This is useful when you need to extract attachments, images, or documents from your table for offline use, archival purposes, or sharing with people who don’t need the structured data; just the files themselves.
  • CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is the universal format that opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and virtually any spreadsheet or database application. It’s plain text, highly compatible, and works across all platforms. Use CSV for maximum compatibility, importing into other databases or systems, and when file size matters, since it’s the most compact format. CSV is ideal for data that doesn’t require formatting preservation.
  • Excel (.XLSX) maintains formatting, supports multiple sheets, and works natively with Microsoft Excel. It preserves cell formatting better than CSV and supports Excel-specific features. Choose Excel when recipients primarily use Microsoft Office, you need to preserve number and date formatting precisely, or you’re creating reports that require visual formatting. Excel files are larger than CSV but provide richer formatting.
  • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) creates structured data files perfect for developers and programmatic use. It preserves data types explicitly and works seamlessly with web applications and APIs. Use JSON for data integration with web applications, API development and testing, or when you need machine-readable structured data. JSON is the best choice for technical users building integrations.
  • XML (Extensible Markup Language) provides hierarchical structured data often required by enterprise systems and technical workflows. It’s more verbose than JSON but necessary for specific integration requirements. Choose XML when integrating with enterprise systems that require XML format, working with legacy systems, or meeting specific technical specifications. XML is less common for everyday use but critical for certain integrations.

How to export tables

Export entire tables

Exporting the full table captures all data regardless of current filters or views, giving you a complete backup or dataset.

  1. Click the ⋮ icon next to the table name in your sidebar
  2. Select Export table from the menu
  3. Choose Export entire table from the dialog
  4. Select your format (CSV, Excel, JSON, files, or XML)
  5. Download the file to your device’s default download folder

The export includes every row and field in the table with current values as of the export moment.

Export specific views

Exporting views captures only the data visible in that view, including applied filters, sorts, and field visibility settings. This is perfect for creating targeted reports or sharing specific subsets of data.

Learn more about views: Export views

Export strategies for common scenarios

Regular backups: Export entire tables as CSV or Excel monthly or weekly, depending on data change frequency. Store exports in cloud storage or backup systems for disaster recovery. Consider automating exports through the API for critical tables.

Sharing with external stakeholders: Create filtered views showing only relevant data, then export those views to share specific information without exposing your entire database. Use Excel format for polished presentations or CSV for simple data sharing.

Data analysis in other tools: Export to CSV for universal compatibility with analysis software, BI tools, or statistical packages. Remove filters to ensure you’re analyzing complete datasets rather than subsets.

Migration or archiving: Use JSON format for complete data structure preservation when moving data between systems or creating archives. JSON maintains data types more reliably than CSV for later re-import.

Periodic reporting: Set up views with specific filters and sorts that generate your standard reports, then export those views on a schedule (weekly sales reports, monthly inventories, etc.). The same view exported at different times creates consistent report formats with updated data.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to linked table data in exports?

Link to table fields export as references showing linked record IDs or primary field values. The actual data from linked tables doesn’t export automatically. If you need complete information from multiple linked tables, export each table separately and use IDs to match records in your analysis tool.

Can I export multiple tables at once?

No, Baserow exports one table at a time. To export multiple tables, repeat the export process for each one. For complete database backups including multiple tables, consider using the database or workspace export feature, which bundles all tables together.

Do formula fields export calculated values or formulas?

Formula fields export their calculated values, not the formulas themselves. If a formula calculates “15” based on other fields, the export contains “15” as static data. The export doesn’t preserve the formula logic or update automatically if the source data changes.

How large can exported files be?

Export size depends on your data volume and format. CSV files are the most compact, while Excel and XML are larger. Very large tables (tens of thousands of rows) may take several minutes to export and result in large files. Consider filtering exports or splitting large tables if the file size becomes problematic.

Can I automate regular exports?

Manual exports work well for occasional needs, but frequent exports benefit from automation. Use the Baserow API to programmatically trigger exports on schedules. This is particularly useful for daily or weekly backups, regular reporting, or integration with external backup systems.

Related content

Work with exported data:

Related table operations:

Alternative approaches:

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