Export Salesforce Data: The Full History, Step by Step
Here is how to export salesforce data for the whole company. Export every object, attachment and file from Salesforce using Data Export. Watch the 48-hour download window.
To export all Salesforce data, go to Setup, type Data Export in Quick Find, and choose Export Now or Schedule Export. Select Include all data and include attachments and files. Salesforce emails you a zip of CSV files, which is deleted 48 hours after the email, so download right away. Enterprise and Unlimited can export every 7 days. Professional can export every 29 days.
Before you export Salesforce data
| Edition | Manual export | Scheduled export |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited | Every 7 days | Weekly or monthly |
| Professional, Developer | Every 29 days | Monthly |
You need admin permissions to use Data Export. For very large orgs or automated exports, Salesforce's Data Loader app can export object by object through the API.
Step by step
01Open Data Export
In Setup, type Data Export in Quick Find and select it.
02Choose Export Now or Schedule Export
Export Now runs once, if enough time has passed since your last export. Schedule Export repeats weekly or monthly depending on your edition.
03Include everything
Check the options to include images, documents and attachments, and Salesforce Files. Under Exported Data, select Include all data.
04Wait for the email
Salesforce builds the export in the background and emails you when it's ready. Large orgs get several zip files.
05Download within 48 hours
The zip files are deleted 48 hours after the email is sent. Download every file and store them somewhere you control.
How to find the size of your Salesforce data
In Setup, Storage Usage shows record counts and storage by object. Note total records, how many years you have used Salesforce, and whether activity history, emails and call logs are attached to records.
What a full Salesforce export is worth
AI companies license company records like this to train software agents on real work. CRM history shows how deals actually move, with notes, emails, calls and stage changes over years. Activity history attached to records adds far more value than contact lists alone.
Buyers price on depth: years of continuous history with real discussion in it. A partial export or a single report is worth far less than the complete record.
How much is your Salesforce data worth? · Run the value calculator
Common problems
- Export Now is greyed out. You exported too recently. Wait 7 days on Enterprise or 29 days on Professional.
- Download link expired. Files are deleted 48 hours after the email. Run a new export.
- Attachments missing. Re-run with images, documents, attachments and Salesforce Files checked.
- Export too big to handle. Use Data Loader to pull object by object.
Common questions
How do I export all data from Salesforce?
Setup, Data Export, then Export Now or Schedule Export with Include all data and attachments checked. Download the zip files within 48 hours.
What format is a Salesforce data export?
A zip archive of CSV files, one per object, plus attachments and files if you included them.
How often can I export Salesforce data?
Every 7 days on Enterprise, Performance and Unlimited. Every 29 days on Professional and Developer.
Should I export Salesforce before closing my business?
Yes. Once the contract ends, the data is removed. A full export keeps your records and any licensing value.