What is contact export?
Exporting contacts allows you to download your contact data from SendX as a CSV file. This is useful for backing up your data, analyzing contacts in external tools like Excel or Google Sheets, or migrating contacts to other platforms.
When you export a list, all contact data is included: email addresses, names, custom fields, tags, subscription dates, activity history, and any other information you've stored.
How to export contacts from a single list
To export contacts from a specific list:
Navigate to the Audience section from your SendX dashboard.
Click on the Lists tab to view all your contact lists.
Click on the list you want to export to open it.
Click the Actions dropdown button.
Select Export Contacts from the menu.
A download link will be sent to the admin email address associated with your SendX account. Open the email and click the link to download your CSV file.
Note: Export time depends on your list size. Smaller lists (under 1,000 contacts) typically arrive within a few minutes, while larger lists may take longer.
How to export a list
You can export contacts from multiple lists in a single action:
Navigate to Audience > Lists.
Click the Actions button that appears.
Select Export Contacts.
Each list will be exported as a separate CSV file, and download links will be sent to your admin email.
Note: If a contact belongs to multiple lists, they will appear in each list's export file separately with all their data included.
How to export all contacts from your account
To export your entire contact database across all lists:
Navigate to the Audience section.
Go to the Segments tab.
Create a new segment or use an existing one that includes all contacts.
Open the segment and click Actions > Export Contacts.
This method is ideal for complete account backups or when migrating to another platform.
What data is included in the export?
Every contact export includes all available data fields such as:
Email address
First name and last name
Custom fields you've created
Tags assigned to contacts
Subscription date and time
Last open or click activity
Email verification status
Any other data associated with contacts
Note: You cannot select specific columns to export. The entire dataset for each contact is included in the CSV file.
Important things to know about exports
All contact types are included
When you export a list, all contacts are included regardless of their status: active subscribers, unsubscribed contacts, bounced emails, and unconfirmed subscribers. This ensures you have a complete backup of your data.
Wait for imports to complete
If you're currently importing contacts into a list, wait for the import to finish before exporting. This prevents missing newly added contacts in your export file.
Empty lists can be exported
Even if a list has zero contacts, you can still export it. The CSV file will contain column headers for all your data fields (such as email, first_name, tags, etc.) but no contact rows.
Download links don't expire
The download link sent to your email remains valid and accessible. Save the email for future reference if you need to download the file again.
No export limits
There are no restrictions on the number of contacts you can export or how many times you can export. All SendX plans have unlimited export capability.
Troubleshooting common export issues
My export seems to have failed. What went wrong?
If you suspect an export didn't complete:
Wait a few minutes before trying again, especially for large lists
Confirm the list actually contains contacts (check the list view shows a contact count)
Try exporting a smaller test list first to confirm the feature is working
If problems persist after multiple attempts, contact SendX support with the list name and approximate export time
Note: You cannot cancel an export once it's started. If you accidentally initiated an export, simply ignore the email when it arrives.
Can I choose which contact fields to include in my export?
No, SendX exports the complete dataset for all contacts in a list. This ensures you have a full backup and don't accidentally miss important data. If you only need specific fields, you can delete unwanted columns in your spreadsheet application after downloading.
Will my export include contacts I recently deleted?
No, exports only include contacts currently in the list at the time of export. Deleted contacts are permanently removed and won't appear in any exports.
How often should I export my contacts?
This depends on how frequently your list changes and your backup needs. Many users export their main lists monthly as a regular backup practice. If you're making significant changes (bulk imports, major segmentation updates), consider exporting before and after to preserve snapshots of your data.
Exporting via API
Developers can also export contact data programmatically using the SendX API. This is useful for automated backups or integrations with other systems.
For technical documentation, see the SendX API documentation.
Tips for managing exported files
Use consistent naming: Rename downloaded files with descriptive names like "Newsletter_List_Jan2026.csv" to stay organized
Regular backups: Schedule monthly exports of your main lists as backup practice
Data analysis: Open exports in Google Sheets or Excel to analyze contact data, identify trends, or segment for offline marketing
Migration planning: If moving to another platform, export all lists and segments to ensure complete data transfer
Related articles:
How to import contacts to SendX
Understanding the difference between lists and segments
How to create and manage custom fields
Managing contact data and GDPR compliance