> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/verifiers/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export-faq.md).

# Export FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about exporting.

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<summary>Who can use Export?</summary>

Export is available on paid CertSearch plans. Free Trial users can use it while their trial is active. When the trial ends, subscribe to keep access or return to Free. Everyone can click **Export**, but Free and Pay-As-You-Go users see a paywall modal. Select [**Subscribe Now**](https://www.iafcertsearch.org/membership/plans) to upgrade, and Export opens normally.

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<summary>Clicking Export opened a paywall instead of the export panel — why?</summary>

You're on a Free or Pay-As-You-Go plan. Free Trial users can use Export while their trial is active. When the trial ends, subscribe to keep access or return to Free. Upgrade via [**Subscribe Now**](https://www.iafcertsearch.org/membership/plans) and Export will open normally, with no need to log out and back in.

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<summary>How is my export delivered?</summary>

**For a one-time export**, choose one of three options in the export panel: **Download** (the file becomes available on the **Activities** tab), **Email** (a secure link is sent to your chosen recipients, and it expires after 7 days), or **Deliver to a destination** (a saved FTP/SFTP connection).

**For a scheduled export**, delivery is to a saved destination only: an **email recipient group** or an **FTP/SFTP connection**.

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<summary>My file didn't download automatically — where is it?</summary>

That's expected — exports never download on their own. Go to the [**Activities** tab](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export-management/activities.md) and click **Download** on the completed row whenever you're ready.

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<summary>Can I download an export again later?</summary>

Yes. From the [**Activities** tab](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export-management/activities.md) you can re-download a completed file as many times as you need, as long as it's still within the retention window.

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<summary>How long are my exported files kept?</summary>

Files are kept for **3 months**. After that the run stays in your history for your records, but the file can no longer be downloaded — you'll see a banner explaining it's no longer available. To get it again, [run the export](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export/running-an-export.md) again.

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<summary>The link I emailed stopped working — why?</summary>

Emailed download links **expire 7 days** after they're sent, and there's no way to extend them. Just [run the export](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export/running-an-export.md) again to send a fresh link.

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<summary>Why can't I delete a data template or recipient group?</summary>

It's being used by one or more [**Scheduled Exports**](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export-management/scheduled-exports.md) (active or paused). Change or delete those schedules first, and the delete option becomes available again.

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<summary>My FTP/SFTP destination shows "Disconnected" — what does that mean?</summary>

The **Status** on the Destinations tab is the result of the connection's most recent test. **Disconnected** means the last test failed. It worked when you saved it, so a failure now usually means something changed on the destination server (it's down, credentials changed, a firewall).&#x20;

A saved connection **can't be edited** — check things on your end, or with whoever manages the server; if the details need to change, delete the connection and add a new one. It's re-tested automatically the next time you pick it for delivery, and before every scheduled send.

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<summary>My export was generated but didn't get delivered — what do I do?</summary>

The file was still created, so download it from the [**Activities**](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export-management/activities.md) tab. Delivery usually fails because something changed on the destination server since you saved it (a saved connection can't be edited), so check your end or with whoever manages the server.

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<summary>Why was a recipient rejected when I added them?</summary>

Recipients must belong to your organisation. Anyone outside it is rejected at the point you add them. Only add people inside your organisation.

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<summary>I got a "0 records" message when confirming — what does it mean?</summary>

Your filters matched no records, so there's nothing to export. Close the panel, adjust the filters on the listing, and [run the export](/verifiers/bulk-delivery/export/running-an-export.md) again.

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<summary>What file formats can I export?</summary>

CSV (the default), JSON, JSONL, and XML. Excel (`.xlsx`) isn't offered — choose **CSV** and open it in Excel or Google Sheets.

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<summary>Is my confidential data protected in the export?</summary>

Yes. Fields marked confidential (for example, an address) are masked in the file. Masking is per field, not the whole record, so everything else still comes through.

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