If you have been using Notion to manage your notes and projects, you might have encountered an issue where the export feature doesn’t seem to work as expected.
In this article, I’ll help you understand why the Notion export feature might not be functioning properly and provide some solutions to get it working again.
Let’s begin!
Why is Notion Export Not Working?
1. Desktop App Bug
Notion's desktop app has a known bug that affects exporting data to CSV. When users try to export their data, the function can freeze or fail to complete.
The problem occurs because of a glitch in the desktop app's export feature, which hasn't been fully resolved yet.
So, to resolve this problem you can use the Notion web app instead. The web version does not have this bug, allowing you to export your data to CSV or other formats smoothly.
By switching to the web app, you can avoid the disruption and get your data exported without any issues.
2. Large File Size
When you try to export large files or pages with many sub-pages in Notion, the process might not work smoothly.
Sometimes, the export can get stuck or fail altogether. This happens because Notion struggles to handle very large amounts of data all at once.
If the export doesn't start automatically, Notion often sends you an email with a download link instead.
So, if you don't see the download starting right away, you should check your email for the link.
It might take a few minutes for the email to arrive, but this way, you can still get your file without the process hanging up.
3. Incomplete Exports
Some users have noticed that when they export data from Notion, some data, like filtered views or hidden columns in databases, aren’t included correctly.
This issue often arises because Notion's export function might not fully account for customized views and filters.
As a result, what you see in Notion might not match what gets exported. To fix this, you need to manually adjust the views and filters before exporting.
You should ensure the desired data is visible and correctly filtered in Notion before you start the export process.
4. Permissions Issues
If the export option isn't available, it could be due to permission settings in your workspace.
Workspace owners sometimes disable exports for security reasons, and guests might not have full access to export data.
To resolve this, you should ensure you have the necessary permissions or reach out to your workspace admin to enable exports.
5. Platform Limitations
On the other hand, it might not work as expected because the platform lacks advanced reporting and time-tracking capabilities.
The core issue is that Notion is designed more for note-taking and basic project management rather than complex data analysis.
As a result, its export function may not capture all the details you need for more in-depth reporting.
For better results, you can integrate Notion with other tools that offer advanced reporting and time-tracking features.
Alternatively, you can export your data from Notion and use separate software to analyze and report on it.
How to Export Content from Notion in the Right Way?
Here is how you can export content from Notion:
1. Exporting as PDF
On the Desktop click the three-dot menu (•••) in the upper right corner of the page, select 'Export', choose 'PDF', customize your options, and click 'Export'.
On Mobile tap the three-dot menu, scroll to 'Export', select 'PDF', customize settings, and tap 'Export'.
2. Exporting as HTML
On the Desktop use the three-dot menu, select 'Export', choose 'HTML', decide if you want to include sub-pages, and click 'Export'.
On Mobile; similar steps as PDF export but choose 'HTML' as the format.
3. Exporting as Markdown & CSV
On the Desktop, you should access the export options via the three-dot menu, select 'Markdown & CSV', and choose whether to include sub-pages before exporting.
On Mobile, you should use the three-dot menu, select 'Markdown & CSV', and follow the prompts to complete the export.
4. Exporting Entire Workspace
On Desktop/Web, you should go to 'Settings & members' > 'Settings', and select 'Export all workspace content'. You’ll receive an email with a download link for the export.