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diff --git a/doc/user/project/issues/csv_export.md b/doc/user/project/issues/csv_export.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..56b94585672 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/user/project/issues/csv_export.md @@ -0,0 +1,77 @@ +# Export Issues to CSV **[STARTER]** + +> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ee/merge_requests/1126) in [GitLab Starter 9.0](https://about.gitlab.com/2017/03/22/gitlab-9-0-released/#export-issues-ees-eep). + +Issues can be exported as CSV from GitLab and are sent to your default notification email as an attachment. + +## Overview + +**Export Issues to CSV** enables you and your team to export all the data collected from issues into +a **[comma-separated values](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma-separated_values)** (CSV) file, +which stores tabular data in plain text. + +> _CSVs are a handy way of getting data from one program to another where one program cannot read the other ones normal output._ [Ref](https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-CSV-file-and-its-uses) + +CSV files can be used with any plotter or spreadsheet-based program, such as Microsoft Excel, +Open Office Calc, or Google Spreadsheets. + +## Use cases + +Among numerous use cases for exporting issues for CSV, we can name a few: + +- Make a snapshot of issues for offline analysis or to communicate with other teams who may not be in GitLab +- Create diagrams, graphs, and charts from the CSV data +- Present the data in any other format for auditing or sharing reasons +- Import the issues elsewhere to a system outside of GitLab +- Long-term issues' data analysis with multiple snapshots created along the time +- Use the long-term data to gather relevant feedback given in the issues, and improve your product based on real metrics + +## Choosing which issues to include + +From the issues page you can narrow down which issues to export using the search bar, along with the All/Open/Closed tabs. All issues returned will be exported, including those not shown on the first page. + +![CSV export button](img/csv_export_button.png) + +You will be asked to confirm the number of issues and email address for the export, after which the email will begin being prepared. + +![CSV export modal dialog](img/csv_export_modal.png) + +## Sorting + +Exported issues are always sorted by `Issue ID`. + +## Format + +> **Time Estimate** and **Time Spent** columns were [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ee/merge_requests/2627) in GitLab Starter 10.0. +> +> **Weight** and **Locked** columns were [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ee/merge_requests/5300) in GitLab Starter 10.8. + +Data will be encoded with a comma as the column delimiter, with `"` used to quote fields if needed, and newlines to separate rows. The first row will be the headers, which are listed in the following table along with a description of the values: + + +| Column | Description | +|---------|-------------| +| Issue ID | Issue `iid` | +| URL | A link to the issue on GitLab | +| Title | Issue `title` | +| State | `Open` or `Closed` | +| Description | Issue `description` | +| Author | Full name of the issue author | +| Author Username | Username of the author, with the `@` symbol omitted | +| Assignee | Full name of the issue assignee | +| Assignee Username | Username of the author, with the `@` symbol omitted | +| Confidential | `Yes` or `No` | +| Locked | `Yes` or `No` | +| Due Date | Formated as `YYYY-MM-DD` | +| Created At (UTC) | Formated as `YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS` | +| Updated At (UTC) | Formated as `YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS` | +| Milestone | Title of the issue milestone | +| Weight | Issue weight | +| Labels | Title of any labels joined with a `,` | +| Time Estimate | [Time estimate](../../../workflow/time_tracking.md#estimates) in seconds | +| Time Spent | [Time spent](../../../workflow/time_tracking.md#time-spent) in seconds | + + +## Limitations + +As the issues will be sent as an email attachment, there is a limit on how much data can be exported. Currently this limit is 20MB to ensure successful delivery across a range of email providers. If this limit is reached we suggest narrowing the search before export, perhaps by exporting open and closed issues separately. |