This article explains how to request a full community data export, what’s included, delivery details, and applicable fees.

How to request a full community data export

Let's walk through the three steps you'll take to request a full community data export.

1. Submit a request to Support

Reply to an existing support case or create a new case and state that you are requesting a full export of your community data.

2. Confirm expected content types

While the export contents are predefined by the Statement of Work (SOW), it’s helpful to list the content types you expect to receive, such as:

• Discussions
• Library files
• Blog posts
• Events
• Ideas
• Volunteer or Speaker/Expert files (if used on your site)

This allows our Data Services team to confirm alignment with the standard export scope and address any questions early.

3. Escalation and confirmation

Once received, your request is escalated to the Data Services team.

A team member will follow up to:

• Confirm scope against the current OC Database and File Export SOW
• Validate eligibility and authorization
• Clarify any technical questions, if needed

TIP: Including your intended use case (e.g., migration or long-term archiving) can help expedite processing.

What’s included in the export

The full export comprises two components. Exact tables and file folders are defined in the attached SOW; the summary below matches the current standard package.

1. SQL database export (.bak file)

You’ll receive a SQL Server 2022 .bak file containing standard community data. Depending on what is enabled for your community, that includes areas such as:

• Contact and profile information (demographics, logins, engagement, privacy, security groups, and related profile data)
• Community memberships and subscriptions
• Member Management, Mentoring, Speaker/Expert, and Volunteer data (where those modules are used)
• Discussion posts and comments
• Blogs and related content
• Q&A content
• Calendar events and registrations
• Library entries and folder structure
• Ideas (including votes/status/config where present)
• CMS / microsite page data, community slideshows, featured images, polls, glossary, tags, permissions, and related metadata listed in the SOW

2. File export (.zip files)

You’ll also receive encrypted .zip archives of curated uploaded files where present for your tenant, including:

• Resource Library documents (library\)
• Ideas attachments (idea\)
• Speaker/Expert presentation files (speaker\)
• Volunteer application uploads and opportunity images (volunteer\)
• Community slideshow images (slideshow\)
• Featured image files (featured\)
• Calendar event images (calendar\)

The file package includes an attachment-manifest.csv so you can map each file back to its source record (attachment type, keys, relative path, original/display name, status, and byte count).

What’s not included

To set expectations clearly:

• Custom or non-standard content outside the SOW
• Tables or files not listed in the export scope
• Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs)
• Custom SQL queries or reports
• A ready-to-import package for a third-party platform (you restore the .bak with SQL Server tools and map data yourself)

Export format and tools file formats

• Database: SQL Server 2022 .bak
• Files: encrypted .zip archives + attachment manifest

How to use the export

The .bak file can be restored using tools such as:

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• A compatible SQL Server instance (including Express, where licensing allows)

NOTE: CSV exports via API are not part of this service. If you require CSV-formatted data, contact Support to discuss available alternatives.

Secure delivery

• Export files are delivered via Higher Logic’s Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
• Once scheduled, please allow up to five (5) business days for the export to be made available
• Files remain available for download for 10 calendar days
• After expiration, files are permanently deleted and cannot be re-enabled

IMPORTANT: Download and back up your export promptly after notification.

Fees & policies

• The first full community export is typically provided with the $500 one-time fee waived (subject to eligibility and the SOW for your organization)
• Subsequent exports:
  • Require a new Statement of Work (SOW)
  • Standard fee: $500 USD per export
• Each export always includes all in-scope data and files, not only changes since the previous export

Need assistance?

If you have questions about export scope, format, delivery, or eligibility:

• Contact Higher Logic Support through your open case
• Reference the OC Export Statement of Work for your organization

Our team will be happy to help clarify next steps.

SOW document

Review the attached SOW for the authoritative list of tables and file folders included in the export.