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Backups and recovery

Export Data Before Changing Online Services

Make a usable export part of the handover plan.

Independent digital-work journal ยท October 7, 2026

An unbranded laptop with an abstract blue screen on a bright desk; an editorial illustration.

The practical starting point

Before moving a service, identify what you need to retain: documents, structured records, attachments and relevant settings. An export button may produce only part of that list. Do not assume that a downloaded archive can be imported into every alternative service.

A workable next step

Create an inventory of expected items and compare it with a sample export. Open representative files and inspect their format. Keep a private note of omissions and the recovery steps required. Preserve the current service until the intended replacement and retained copies have been reviewed within your authorised migration scope. A filename alone is not evidence that the content can be recovered.

Keep in your notes

  • List expected content.
  • Inspect a sample export.
  • Record omissions and formats.

Sources and further reading