How do I export or back up my data?

Where to find it

Open Settings and choose "Export data" under Data. Exporting is available on every plan — your history is yours, and there is no paywall on getting it out.

Three formats

• JSON — the full export: every event, person, relationship, and custom category. This is the format to keep as a real backup, and the one to use if you ever need to load your history into another LifeCharted account.
• CSV — an events table, one row per event, for spreadsheets and analysis. People and relationships are not included.
• PDF — a formatted Life Summary you can read or print, rather than a data file.

Private events in the PDF

The PDF leaves out events marked Private unless you tick "Include private events in PDF" before generating it. The JSON and CSV exports always contain everything, because they are your own backup rather than something intended to be handed around.

If you are producing a PDF for someone else, leave the private toggle off and check the result before sending it.

Rules of Thumb

• Take a JSON export before any bulk import or large cleanup — it is the only format that round-trips completely.
• Export on a schedule that matches how much you would hate to lose; quarterly suits most people.
• Use CSV for analysis, JSON for backup, PDF for reading.

Common Mistakes

• Backing up with CSV and later discovering people, relationships, and custom categories were never in it.
• Sending a PDF export without checking whether private events were included.