An export definition is a tool you use to specify the fields, but not the records, to include in an export. Since a definition does not specify records, you cannot export data directly from it. Instead, you must create an export process to output data from a selection based on the export definition. Typically, you use an export definition for marketing efforts you send to mailing houses.
Note: When you create an export process, you select an export type. If you select “Export definition,” the Selection and Export definition fields appear. You can specify the selection of records to export and the export definition to determine the fields to include in the output.
When you create an export definition, the export fields you can choose from are determined by the source view you select. For example, when you create an export definition for constituent letters, the available fields are based on the constituent query view. After you select an initial source view, you identify the fields to include in the output, the column order, the row sort order, and the sites to associate with it. For information about source views, refer to Source Views.
You can create and manage export definitions from the Export definitions page in Administration. Under Export definitions, you can view information about each export definition in the database. The information includes the name and description of the definition, and the type of records to use with it. Other details include the user who created the definition, the date it was created, the most recent user to update it, the date it was changed, the sites associated with it, and the number of exports that use it.
You can also complete tasks for an export definition from the Export definitions page. To access task buttons, click the double arrows next to a definition to expand the row. Use the task buttons to edit, delete, copy, or create an export.
Export Definitions and Query Comparison
Copy an Existing Export Definition