> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sellermagnet.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sellermagnet.com/resources/unified-export-menu.md).
# Exporting Data: CSV vs Excel
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**Difficulty:** π’ Beginner Β· **Reading time:** \~5 min
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**Open this page in your dashboard:** [**Go to Orders Overview β**](https://dashboard.sellermagnet.com/dashboard/orders)
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## π Overview
Your accountant needs last month's transactions, and next week they'll want your expenses too - and you'd rather not relearn a new export button on every page. You don't have to. SellerMagnet uses a single, consistent **Export** menu across the dashboard. Wherever you see a table β Orders, Ordered Products, Transactions, Expenses, PPC reports, and more β the same **Export βΎ** button appears, and it always offers the same two choices:
| Format | File | Best for |
| --------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **CSV** | `.csv` | Importing into other tools, accounting software, scripts, or quick re-imports |
| **Excel** | `.xlsx` | Opening directly in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets with clean columns |
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Because the menu is shared, exporting works the same way everywhere. Learn it once and it applies to every table in the product.
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## π€ How to Export
1. Find the **Export βΎ** button near the table or modal you want to export (usually in the header or filter bar).
2. Click it to open the small menu.
3. Choose **CSV** or **Excel**.
4. The file is generated and downloads automatically to your browser's default download location.
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**The export reflects the current, visible view.** What you download matches the table as you've set it up β your active filters, date range, marketplace selection, sort order, and the columns shown. Set up the view you want *before* you click Export.
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## π― CSV vs Excel: Which Should I Choose?
### Choose CSV whenβ¦
* You're importing the data into **another system** (accounting, a BI tool, a spreadsheet importer, a script).
* You want the **most universal, lightweight** format.
* You'll process the file programmatically.
### Choose Excel (XLSX) whenβ¦
* You'll **open and read** the file directly in Excel or Google Sheets.
* You want columns cleanly separated without configuring an import.
* You're preparing something to **share or present**.
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**Pro Tip:** For monthly bookkeeping, export **CSV** and hand it to your accountant or import tool. For a quick look or to build a chart yourself, export **Excel** and open it straight away.
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## π What the Export Contains
The exported file contains the **rows and columns of the view you exported** β the same data the table is displaying after your filters and sorting are applied.
| Aspect | Behavior |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Rows** | The rows matching your current filters / search / date range |
| **Columns** | The columns shown for that table |
| **Sorting** | Reflects the table's current sort |
| **File name** | Based on the table you exported, with a `.csv` or `.xlsx` extension |
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**Handle exported files securely.** Exports can contain sensitive business data β costs, fees, profit, COGS (Cost of Goods Sold), and customer geography. Store and share them carefully.
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## π§ Real-World Scenario: Last Month's Transactions for Your Accountant
Say it's the first of the month and your accountant asks for a CSV of last month's transactions. Here's the whole flow, start to finish:
1. **Open the right page.** Go to the **Transactions** table in your dashboard. This is where the numbers your accountant needs already live.
2. **Set the date range.** Use the date range filter to select last month (for example, June 1 to June 30). The table redraws to show only those rows. Remember: the export reflects the current, visible view, so getting the filter right now is what gets the right rows into the file.
3. **Narrow the view if needed.** If your accountant only wants one marketplace, set the marketplace filter too. Anything you filter out here will not be in the export.
4. **Open the Export menu.** Click the **Export βΎ** button in the table's header / filter bar.
5. **Choose CSV.** Because this file is going into accounting software (not being read by hand), pick **CSV** rather than **Excel**. You'd choose Excel instead only if you wanted to open and read it yourself in Excel or Google Sheets.
6. **Let it download.** The `.csv` file generates and lands in your browser's default download folder, named after the Transactions table.
**What's in the file:** the rows that matched your date range and marketplace filter, with the columns shown in the Transactions table, in the same sort order the table was using. No hidden or filtered-out rows are included - so the file matches exactly what you saw on screen. Hand that CSV to your accountant or feed it straight into your import tool.
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**Next month, repeat on Expenses.** The exact same **Export βΎ** button and CSV / Excel choice sit on the Expenses table too - set the date range, pick CSV, done. That's the whole point of the shared menu: learn it once, use it everywhere.
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## β FAQ
Is the Export menu available on every table?
Yes β the same Export βΎ menu is wired into the dashboard's tables (and several modals), so the CSV/Excel choice is consistent everywhere you can export.
Does the export include filtered-out rows?
No. The export matches the view you're looking at. If a filter, search term, or date range is hiding rows, those rows are not in the file. Clear your filters first if you want everything.
Which columns are exported?
The columns shown for that table are exported. Configure the view the way you want it before exporting.
Where does the file download to?
To your browser's default download folder. The file is named after the table you exported, ending in `.csv` or `.xlsx`.
CSV opens with everything in one column in Excel β what happened?
That's a regional separator quirk in Excel, not a problem with the file. The quickest fix is to choose **Excel (XLSX)** from the export menu instead, which opens with clean columns automatically.
Can I export a chart or just a summary card?
The Export menu exports tabular data (rows and columns). Charts and KPI summary cards visualize that underlying data β export the related table to work with the numbers behind them.
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β οΈ Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Impact | Solution |
| ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Exporting before setting filters | The file has the wrong rows | Apply date range, marketplace, and status filters first |
| Picking CSV then fighting Excel's columns | Wasted time reformatting | Choose Excel (XLSX) when you'll open it in Excel directly |
| Leaving exported files unsecured | Sensitive cost/profit data exposed | Store and share exports carefully |
| Expecting hidden columns in the file | Missing data you wanted | Make sure the columns you need are visible before exporting |
## β‘οΈ What's Next?
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[Orders Overview](/dashboard-and-analytics/dashboard-overview/orders-overview.md)
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[Reports](/dashboard-and-analytics/dashboard-overview/reports.md)
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