Beginner4 min

Exporting Data

Export form submissions for analysis, reporting, or backup. Multiple formats available.

Export Formats

CSV

Comma-separated values for spreadsheets.

Best for:

  • Excel, Google Sheets
  • Data analysis
  • Simple reporting

Excel (.xlsx)

Native Excel format with formatting.

Best for:

  • Complex Excel work
  • Preserving data types
  • Sharing with Excel users

JSON

Structured data format.

Best for:

  • Developer use
  • API integration
  • Data transformation

PDF

Formatted document report.

Best for:

  • Sharing reports
  • Printing
  • Archival

Exporting Submissions

All Submissions

  1. Open your form
  2. Go to Submissions tab
  3. Click Export
  4. Select format
  5. Download file

Filtered Submissions

Export a subset:

  1. Apply filters (date range, status, etc.)
  2. Click Export
  3. Choose Export Filtered
  4. Select format

Selected Submissions

Export specific rows:

  1. Check boxes for desired submissions
  2. Click Export
  3. Choose Export Selected
  4. Select format

Export Options

Date Range

Limit by submission date:

  • All time
  • Last 7/30/90 days
  • Custom range

Columns

Choose which fields to include:

  • All fields
  • Select specific fields
  • Include/exclude metadata

Formatting

CSV/Excel options:

  • Date format
  • Number format
  • Delimiter (CSV)

Scheduled Exports

Automate regular exports:

  1. Go to Settings > Exports
  2. Click Schedule Export
  3. Configure:
    • Frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
    • Format
    • Destination (email, cloud storage)

Email Delivery

Receive exports via email:

  • Attach to email
  • Download link (large files)
  • Multiple recipients

Cloud Storage

Export directly to:

  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • AWS S3
  • OneDrive

API Export

Programmatic access to submissions:

List Submissions

curl -X GET https://api.specway.com/v1/forms/{formId}/submissions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {token}"

Response

{
  "submissions": [
    {
      "id": "sub_123",
      "submittedAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
      "fields": {
        "name": "John",
        "email": "john@example.com"
      }
    }
  ],
  "pagination": {
    "page": 1,
    "total": 100
  }
}

Export Endpoint

curl -X GET https://api.specway.com/v1/forms/{formId}/submissions/export \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {token}" \
  -H "Accept: text/csv" \
  -o submissions.csv

Integrations

Real-time Sync

Instead of manual exports, sync automatically:

Google Sheets

  1. Connect Google Sheets integration
  2. Select or create spreadsheet
  3. Map form fields to columns
  4. New submissions appear instantly

Airtable

  1. Connect Airtable integration
  2. Select base and table
  3. Map fields
  4. Auto-sync enabled

Database

  1. Connect your database
  2. Configure table/collection
  3. Submissions insert automatically

Workflow Export

Use workflows for custom export logic:

  1. Create workflow with Form trigger
  2. Add action (Google Sheets, Airtable, etc.)
  3. Transform data as needed
  4. Export happens per submission

Data Management

Backup Strategy

Regular exports protect your data:

  1. Schedule weekly exports
  2. Store in multiple locations
  3. Test restore process

Compliance

For data regulations:

  • Export before deletion
  • Maintain audit trail
  • Respect data retention policies

Large Exports

For thousands of submissions:

  • Use scheduled export (processed in background)
  • Download link provided via email
  • May take several minutes

Next Steps

Tags

formsexportdata