> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://flexforms.bjanczak.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Write for Filament/Laravel developers buying Flex Forms.
> Be precise: every setting documents what it does and how it works.
> Use Help Center components richly: Steps, Cards, Callouts, Tabs, CodeGroup, Mermaid, Badge for Pro.
> Never invent APIs; match the real Flex Forms package behavior.

# Export submissions

> Download submission rows as CSV or Excel (.xlsx) — filter-aware, streaming, ready for spreadsheets and CRM import.

While the Inbox provides a powerful visual interface, sometimes you need to manipulate data in a dedicated spreadsheet or push it into a legacy internal system. The export engine streams a perfectly formatted payload of your submission data in seconds — as **CSV** or **Excel (.xlsx)**.

## Generating an Export

Flex Forms operates on a "What You See Is What You Export" principle. The export engine respects your active filters.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Apply the Correct Filter">
    Before exporting, ensure you are on the correct tab (e.g., **Completed**). If you export while on the **All** tab, your spreadsheet will contain messy, abandoned Partial submissions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose CSV or Excel">
    In the Submissions toolbar, click **Download CSV** or **Download Excel**. Both respect the active filter and stream the file directly (nothing is buffered into the Studio page).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the File">
    The file downloads immediately, named with the form slug and the current filter for easy archiving.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding the file structure

The exported file is structured to be immediately consumable by BI tools (like Tableau) or CRMs (like Salesforce).

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="System Metadata" icon="server">
    The first few columns are system-generated. This includes the precise **Submitted At** timestamp and the entry's **Status** (Completed/Partial).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Block Data" icon="columns">
    Every block on your form gets a dedicated column, organized in the exact order they appear in the Studio Canvas.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Handling Complex Data

* **Multi-Select & Checkboxes:** If a respondent selects multiple options (e.g., *"Red"*, *"Blue"*), they are exported into a single cell, separated by commas: `Red, Blue`.
* **File Uploads & Signatures:** Flex Forms does not embed raw binary files. Instead, it exports the absolute URL to the securely stored file.
* **Encrypted answers:** When [Encrypt submission answers](/features/settings/general) is on, exports still contain **decrypted** plaintext for authorized Studio users — encryption protects the database at rest, not the download.
* **Deleted Fields:** If you removed a field from the Studio Canvas, it still exports! The column header will simply be appended with `(Unpublished)` to preserve your historical data integrity.

<Tip>
  **Encoding Issues in Excel (CSV only):** If you open a CSV in Microsoft Excel and notice garbled characters, open Excel first, go to Data → From Text/CSV, and set encoding to **UTF-8**. Prefer **Download Excel** when you want a native `.xlsx` without that dance.
</Tip>

<Panel>
  **Related Actions:** [Exporting the Contacts Directory](/features/contacts/search-export) · [Transactions export](/features/transactions/overview)
</Panel>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.