---
title: "Export and Import a Collection"
slug: "export-and-import-a-collection"
updated: 2024-11-27T02:33:38Z
published: 2024-11-27T02:33:38Z
canonical: "docs.processmaker.com/export-and-import-a-collection"
---

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

# Export and Import a Collection

Export a Collection to your local computer. The exported Collection may then be imported to the same or another ProcessMaker Platform instance of the same [ProcessMaker Platform version](/v1/docs/view-version-information). An exported Collection may then be shared with others so they can import your Collection. If the Collection is a Saved Search of Collection records, it cannot be exported; export from the Collection itself.

When a Collection is exported, the following also exports:

- **Records:** All records within that Collection export.
- **Screens:** The [Screens](/v1/docs/screens) used to create, view, and edit records in that Collection also export.

The exported Collection has the `.json` file extension.

## Export a Collection

**Permissions**

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to export a Collection unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected:

- Collections: Export Collections
- Collections: View Collections

See the [Collections](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#collections) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

> [!WARNING]
> If the Collection is a Saved Search of Collection records, it cannot be exported; export from the Collection itself.

Follow these steps to export a Collection to your local computer:

1. [View your Collections](/v1/docs/collections#view-collections). The **Collections** page displays.
2. Click the **Export** icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0e017994-1f48-42dc-915f-4ab28428f98c.png) for your Collection to export. If the Collection is a Saved Search of Collection records, it cannot be exported; export from the Collection itself. The **Export Collection** page displays.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/25ef1962-7757-4b87-8d43-5a6137923cb5.png)
3. Click **Export**. ProcessMaker prepares the Collection for export and a **Download** button displays when the export file is ready.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1c745b02-bb0f-41db-8098-91e4947e0331.png)
4. Click **Download**, then browse for the location on your local computer to save the exported Collection.
5. By default, ProcessMaker Platform exports the Collection using the original Collection name except spaces in the name are replaced with underscores (`_`). The file has the file extension `.json`. Rename the default file name if necessary, though do not change the file extension. As a best practice, specify in the file name that this is an exported Collection to distinguish it from other exported assets. The following is exported:
  1. All records within that Collection.
  2. The [Screens](/v1/docs/screens) used to create, view, and edit records in that Collection
6. Specify a directory location to save the file. ProcessMaker Platform exports the `.json` file to your local computer. The following message displays when the Collection exports successfully: **The collection was exported.**

## Import a Collection

Import a Collection that has been [exported](/v1/docs/export-and-import-a-collection) from the same [ProcessMaker Platform version](/v1/docs/view-version-information). The imported Collection contains the records and the [Screens](/v1/docs/screens) from the exported Collection. Exported Collections have the `.json` file extension.

**Permissions**

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to import a Collection unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected:

- Collections: Import Collections
- Collections: View Collections

See the [Collections](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#collections) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

Follow these steps to import a Collection:

1. [View your Collections](/v1/docs/collections#view-collections). The **Collections** page displays.
2. Click the **Import** button. The **Import Collection** screen displays.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/e30c187b-9b57-4598-9861-1d6c04b9c525.png)
3. Click **Browse** to locate the Collection to import. Collections have the `.json` file extension.
4. Click **Import**. The **Import Collection** screen displays to indicate that the Collection imported correctly.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/37537dd7-35e3-4270-bd6e-cc20e3bafc8c.png)
5. Click **List Collections**. The **Collections** page displays the imported Collection with the same name as the original Collection except with a number "2" suffix.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6e41a2b6-4470-48e5-bf7b-94e6073967ba.png)