Exporting Data to Excel and CSV

Need transaction lists, spending summaries, or custom financial reports? Just ask our AI assistant and download your data in Excel or CSV format instantly.

How It Works

GrantLink's AI can generate custom data exports on demand. Simply describe what you need in plain English, and we'll create a downloadable file with your data.

Starting an Export

1. Navigate to Reports in the sidebar
2. Start a conversation with the AI assistant
3. Describe the data you need
4. Click the download button when your export is ready

Example Export Requests

Here are some things you can ask for:

Transaction Exports

• "Export all transactions from Q3"
• "Give me a list of all expenses for the Smith Foundation grant"
• "Export transactions from January to March as CSV"
• "Download all bills paid to Acme Supplies"

Spending Summaries

• "Export spending by vendor for this fiscal year"
• "Create an Excel file with monthly spending totals"
• "Show me spending by category for the Education grant"

Grant-Specific Data

• "Export the budget vs actual for all active grants"
• "Download all allocated transactions for the Health Initiative"
• "Give me a spreadsheet of pending allocations"

Custom Reports

• "Export a list of all vendors we've paid more than $5,000"
• "Create a CSV of transactions missing allocations"
• "Download our chart of accounts with grant mappings"

Choosing Your Format

When your export is ready, you'll see a download card with two options:

Excel (.xlsx)

Best for:

• Opening in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• Reports that need formatting or formulas
• Sharing with board members or auditors
• Data that includes multiple columns

CSV (.csv)

Best for:

• Importing into other systems
• Simple data without special formatting
• Maximum compatibility
• Large datasets

What's Included in Exports

Depending on your request, exports may include:

Data Type	Common Columns
Transactions	Date, Type, Vendor, Amount, Account, Memo, Grant
Spending Summaries	Category, Period, Budget, Actual, Variance
Vendor Reports	Vendor Name, Total Paid, Transaction Count, Last Payment
Grant Data	Grant Name, Award, Spent, Remaining, Status

Tips for Better Exports

Be Specific About Dates

Instead of "recent transactions," try "transactions from October 1 to December 31, 2024"

Specify the Grant

If you want data for a specific grant, include the grant name: "Export all transactions for the Community Health grant"

Request Specific Columns

You can ask for specific data: "Export vendor name, date, and amount for all Q4 expenses"

Use Filters

Narrow down your data: "Export only transactions over $1,000" or "Show only personnel expenses"

Common Use Cases

Board Meetings

"Export a spending summary by program for the board meeting" - Get a clean summary to share with your board.

Audit Preparation

"Download all transactions for fiscal year 2024 with grant allocations" - Everything your auditors need in one file.

Funder Requests

"Export all expenses charged to the Johnson Foundation grant" - Quickly respond to funder inquiries.

Budget Planning

"Create a spreadsheet comparing budget to actual for all grants" - Inform your planning process with real data.

Troubleshooting

Export Taking Too Long?

Large exports (10,000+ transactions) may take a moment. The AI will let you know when it's ready.

Data Looks Wrong?

Double-check your date range and filters. You can always ask for a new export with adjusted criteria.

Can't Open the File?

• Excel files require Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or a compatible app
• CSV files can be opened in any spreadsheet application or text editor