> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vlyai-1c28d863.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data export

> Export your data — for portability, GDPR, or migration. Self-service for users and admins.

vly supports data export at three levels.

## User-level (self-service)

Each user can export their own data from settings:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Settings → Account → Export data">
    User clicks Export.
  </Step>

  <Step title="vly assembles the export">
    JSON file containing: profile, all messages / posts / comments / etc. owned by the user.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download link emailed">
    Within 24 hours.
  </Step>
</Steps>

GDPR's "right to portability" is satisfied here.

## Workspace-level (admin)

Workspace owners can export an entire workspace:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Workspace settings → Export workspace">
    Admin / owner clicks Export.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose format">
    JSON (complete) or CSV (per-table).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download link emailed">
    Includes all workspace data: projects, members, settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## App-level (your apps)

For "let users export THEIR data from THE APP YOU BUILT", add a data-export feature to your app:

```text theme={null}
Add a "Download my data" button to the user settings page.
On click, generate a ZIP of the user's profile, posts, comments, and uploaded files.
Email the user a download link when ready.
```

vly will scaffold the export action, the zip generation, and the email send.

## Format

JSON exports follow a stable schema. Field names match Convex schema field names. Foreign keys are preserved as IDs (and can be re-imported).

## Tips

<Tip>
  **Test exports periodically.** A backup that's never restored isn't a backup. Once a quarter, do a test export and a sample re-import.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **For large workspaces, exports may take a while.** Up to a few hours for very large datasets. Email arrives when ready.
</Tip>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Compliance" icon="award" href="/security/compliance">
    GDPR context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account deletion" icon="user-minus" href="/security/account-deletion">
    The companion right.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit logs" icon="scroll-text" href="/features/workspace/audit-logs">
    Track who exported what.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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