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Export Your Data

packages/twenty-docs/user-guide/data-migration/how-tos/export-your-data.mdx

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Overview

Export your workspace data to CSV for backups, reporting, or migration.

Use cases:

  • Regular backups — keep copies of your data
  • External reporting — analyze data in Excel, Google Sheets, or BI tools
  • Migration — move data to another system
  • Bulk updates — export, edit, and re-import to update records

What You Need to Know

Export Limits

  • Maximum 20,000 records per export
  • Only visible columns are exported
  • Only filtered records are exported (based on your current view)

<Note>For larger exports (20,000+ records), use filters to export in batches or use the API.</Note>

Permissions

You need the "Export CSV" permission to export data. Contact your workspace admin if you don't have this option.

Step 1: Navigate to the Object

Go to the object you want to export:

  • People — for contacts
  • Companies — for organizations
  • Opportunities — for deals
  • Custom objects — any object you've created

Step 2: Configure Your View

Important: The export includes only what's visible in your current view.

Add/Remove Columns

  1. Click Options → Fields (or the + at the end of columns)
  2. Check the fields you want to export
  3. Uncheck fields you don't need

Filter Records (Optional)

If you only need a subset of data:

  1. Click Filter
  2. Add filter conditions (e.g., "Created date > January 1, 2024")
  3. Only matching records will be exported

Sort Records (Optional)

  1. Click a column header to sort
  2. The export will follow your sort order

<Note>Create a dedicated export view. Save a view specifically configured for exports so you don't need to reconfigure each time.</Note>

Step 3: Export the Data

  1. Click the ⋮ icon on the top right of the table
  2. Select Export view
  3. Choose where to save the CSV file
  4. Wait for the download to complete

What Gets Exported

IncludedNot Included
All visible columnsHidden columns
Records matching current filtersFiltered-out records
Custom field valuesFields not in the view
Record IDsFile attachments
Relation IDsImages

Relation Fields

Relation IDs are only exported on the "many" side of a relationship:

  • People export includes a companyId column (People → Company relation)
  • Companies export does NOT include peopleIds (Companies is the "one" side)

This means you can use the People export to re-import and maintain the Company link, but you'll need to re-import People after Companies to recreate the relationships.

Exporting for Specific Purposes

For Backups

  1. Create a view with all fields visible
  2. Remove all filters to include all records
  3. Export each object type separately
  4. Store exports in a secure location
  5. Set a recurring reminder (weekly/monthly)

For External Reporting

  1. Include only the fields you need for analysis
  2. Apply filters to focus on relevant data
  3. Consider sorting by the field you'll analyze

For Bulk Updates

  1. Export the records you want to update
  2. Include the unique identifier (email, domain, or id)
  3. Edit the exported file
  4. Re-import to update records See: How to Update Existing Records

For Migration

If you're exporting to migrate to another system:

  1. Export each object separately — People, Companies, Opportunities, etc.
  2. Include ID fields — these help maintain relationships
  3. Document field mappings — note how Twenty fields map to your target system

Handling Large Datasets (20,000+ Records)

The export limit is 20,000 records. For larger datasets:

Option 1: Export in Batches

  1. Add a filter (e.g., "Created date" ranges)
  2. Export the first batch
  3. Change the filter
  4. Export the next batch
  5. Combine files in your spreadsheet

Example filters for batching:

  • By date range (January, February, March...)
  • By owner (Team member A, Team member B...)
  • By status (Active, Inactive...)

Option 2: Use the API

The API has no record limit:

  1. Get your API key from Settings → Developers
  2. Use the GraphQL API to query records
  3. Process results in your application

See: API Documentation

Tips and Best Practices

Create Export Views

Save views configured specifically for exports:

  1. Configure columns and filters
  2. Click View options → Save as new view
  3. Name it "Export - [Purpose]"

Secure Your Exports

Exported files may contain sensitive data:

  • Store in secure locations
  • Delete old exports when no longer needed
  • Be careful sharing export files

Check Before Exporting

<Check>Correct columns are visible</Check> <Check>Filters are set correctly (or removed for full export)</Check> <Check>You have Export permission</Check>

FAQ

<AccordionGroup> <Accordion title="Why are some columns missing from my export?"> Only visible columns are exported. Add the columns you need via **Options → Fields** before exporting. </Accordion> <Accordion title="Why doesn't my export have all records?"> Check your filters. The export only includes records matching your current view filters. Remove filters to export all records. </Accordion> <Accordion title="Can I export more than 20,000 records?"> Not in a single export. Use filters to export in batches, or use the API for larger datasets. </Accordion> <Accordion title="What format is the export file?"> CSV (Comma Separated Values). Opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application. </Accordion> <Accordion title="Are relation IDs included?"> Yes, but only on the "many" side of relationships. For example, a People export includes `companyId`, but a Companies export does not include people IDs. </Accordion> <Accordion title="Can I automate exports?"> Not directly through the UI. Use the API to build automated export workflows. </Accordion> </AccordionGroup>

Next Steps