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Exporting table data allows you to download your filtered and customized views for analysis, reporting, or sharing outside of Forerunner. You can export data in multiple formats depending on your needs.

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Exporting your current view

The most common export is to download the data from your current saved view with all active filters and columns applied.
1

Set up your view

Configure your table view with the columns you want to export and apply any filters to narrow down the data.
2

Click Export Data

Click the “Export data” button in the table header.
3

Select Current Saved View

Choose “Current saved view” from the export menu.
4

Choose your format

Select the export format that matches your needs. See Export format details for more information about each format:
  • CSV - For spreadsheet analysis
  • Geopackage - For GIS mapping (geocoded data only)
  • Geodatabase - For ESRI ArcGIS workflows
  • ZIP - To include attached files
The available formats depend on the table type and data in your view.
5

Click Export

Click the “Export” button to start processing your export.
6

Check your email

You’ll receive an email with a download link when your export is ready. Large exports may take a few minutes to process.
Your exported file includes all the columns and filtered data from your current view.

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Export format details

Forerunner supports several export formats to match different use cases:

CSV

Spreadsheet format compatible with Excel, Google Sheets, and other tools

Geopackage

Geo-referenced format that preserves location data (only geocoded records)

Geodatabase

ESRI geodatabase format for use in ArcGIS and other GIS software

Shapefile

Traditional GIS format for spatial data (available for certain exports)

ZIP

Compressed archive including processed files from your view

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CSV export

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) exports create spreadsheet files that work with most data analysis tools. Best for:
  • Analyzing data in Excel or Google Sheets
  • Creating custom reports
  • Importing data into other systems
  • Sharing data with stakeholders who don’t use GIS tools
What’s included:
  • All visible columns in your current view
  • Only filtered rows (matching your active filters)
  • Text-based data (location data shown as addresses/coordinates)
  • Column headers with field names
CSV exports include all the data you see in the table, formatted exactly as it appears.

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Geopackage export

Geopackage (.gpkg) is a modern geo-referenced format that preserves spatial data for use in GIS applications. Best for:
  • GIS analysis and mapping
  • Spatial queries and operations
  • Sharing data with other GIS professionals
  • Open-source GIS tools (QGIS, etc.)
What’s included:
  • All visible columns with attribute data
  • Geographic geometries (points, polygons) for each feature
  • Coordinate reference system information
  • Only geocoded records (records with valid location data)
Geopackage exports only include records that have been geocoded. Records without location data are excluded automatically.

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Geodatabase export

Geodatabase (.gdb) is ESRI’s proprietary format designed for use with ArcGIS software. Best for:
  • ArcGIS Desktop workflows
  • Advanced GIS analysis
  • Integration with existing ESRI-based systems
  • Organizations using ArcGIS as their primary GIS platform
What’s included:
  • Full attribute table with all fields
  • Spatial geometries and topology
  • Coordinate system definitions
  • Only geocoded features
Geodatabase exports require ArcGIS or compatible ESRI software to open and use.

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ZIP export

ZIP exports package your table data along with any associated files into a compressed archive. Best for:
  • Downloading files attached to records
  • Creating complete data packages
  • Archiving records with supporting documents
  • Sharing comprehensive datasets
What’s included:
  • CSV file with table data
  • All processed files referenced in the view
  • Folder structure organizing files by record
ZIP exports exclude files that are still processing. Only fully processed files are included in the archive.

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Shapefile export

Shapefiles are a traditional GIS format widely supported across mapping software. Best for:
  • Legacy GIS systems
  • Maximum compatibility
  • Simple point and polygon data
What’s included:
  • Geometry files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj)
  • Attribute data in DBF format
  • Projection information
Shapefile exports are available for certain record types—for example, Elevation Certificate exports from the Files table and Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage record exports from the Records tables. Use Geopackage for a more modern alternative when possible.

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Elevation Certificate exports

When working with the Files table containing Elevation Certificates, additional export options are available that allow you to create specialized reports with specific filtering criteria. Export options:
  • Filter by FIRM location (specific flood zones)
  • Include only finished construction certificates
  • Select a date range for certificate dates
  • Choose from multiple export formats
1

Open Files table

Navigate to the Files table where Elevation Certificates are displayed.
2

Click Export Data

Click “Export data” in the table header.
3

Select Elevation Certificates

Choose the Elevation Certificate export option from the menu.
4

Configure filters

Select your desired options:
  • FIRM location filter (optional)
  • Finished construction only (checkbox)
  • Date range (start and end dates)
5

Choose format and export

Select your file format and click “Export” to generate the report.
Elevation Certificate exports provide specialized filtering beyond the standard table view filters, making it easy to generate compliance reports and bulk certificate exports.

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Understanding export processing

Forerunner processes exports asynchronously to handle large datasets efficiently.

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How it works

  1. Initiate export - You select your format and click Export
  2. Processing begins - Forerunner queues your export job
  3. Email notification - You receive an email when the export is ready
  4. Download - Click the link in the email to download your file
You can continue working in Forerunner while your export processes in the background. No need to wait on the page.

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Processing time

Export processing time varies based on the size of your dataset, the complexity of the format, and current system load. Small exports typically complete quickly, while larger exports or those including files may take several minutes to process.

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What gets exported

Understanding what data is included in your export helps you plan accordingly:

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Columns

  • All visible columns in your current table view
  • Column data formatted as it appears in the table
  • Column headers use field names

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Rows

  • Only rows that match your active filters
  • Up to the system limit for the export format
  • Geocoded rows only for geo-referenced formats

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Data formatting

  • Dates formatted as YYYY-MM-DD
  • Boolean values as “Yes”/“No” or true/false
  • User fields show full names
  • Select fields show the selected option text

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Associated data

  • Files included only in ZIP exports
  • Related records shown as references or IDs
  • Linked objects included based on view configuration
Exports capture a snapshot of your data at the time of export. Data changes after the export is generated won’t be reflected in the downloaded file.

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Export best practices

Apply filters to your table view before exporting to include only the data you need. This reduces file size and processing time.
Use CSV for simple data analysis, Geopackage for GIS work, and ZIP when you need the associated files.
If you plan to export geo-referenced formats, verify that your records are geocoded first. Non-geocoded records won’t be included in Geopackage, Geodatabase, or Shapefile exports.
Create periodic exports of your critical data as backups. Store these exports securely for reference and disaster recovery.
When sharing exports with others, include a note about what filters were applied and when the export was generated so recipients understand the data context.
Very large exports may hit system limits. If you need to export massive datasets, consider breaking them into smaller filtered batches.

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Troubleshooting

Check these items:
  • Check your spam/junk folder
  • Verify your email address in your account settings
  • Wait a few more minutes for large exports
  • Try the export again if more than 15 minutes have passed
If the problem persists, contact support with details about the export you attempted.
Solution: Geopackage, Geodatabase, and Shapefile exports only include geocoded records with valid location data. Records without geographic coordinates are automatically excluded. Check the geocoding status of your data if records are missing.
Solution: ZIP exports exclude files that are still processing or failed to process. Wait for all files to finish processing before exporting, or export again after processing completes.
Solution: Large exports (1,000+ records) or ZIP exports with many files can take 10+ minutes to process. If your export hasn’t arrived after 30 minutes, try exporting a smaller subset of data or contact support.
Solution: Ensure you’re opening the CSV with appropriate software (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.). If special characters appear garbled, try opening the file with UTF-8 encoding enabled.