Data Export is the Salesforce-built-in backup tool — exports all org data as a ZIP of CSV files, on-demand or on a schedule (weekly / monthly). The free tier is for backup / compliance / migration; not designed for routine integration. Heavy-volume orgs typically pair this with third-party backup (OwnBackup, Cohesity).
- Open Setup → Data Export
Setup gear → Quick Find: Data Export → Data Export.
- Click Schedule Export (or Export Now)
Schedule Export = recurring; Export Now = one-time. Schedule is more common for backup.
- Pick Export Frequency
Weekly (Salesforce / Unlimited / Performance editions) or Monthly (Enterprise / Group). Edition gates the cadence.
- Select objects to include
All Data (all standard + custom objects) or selected objects only. Most backup use cases use All Data.
- Tick Include images, documents, attachments, files
When ON, file content is included in the ZIP. Significantly larger downloads.
- Set notification email
Salesforce emails the requesting user when the export ZIP is ready. ZIPs are stored for 48 hours then deleted.
- Save → wait for the email notification
Export job runs in the background. Larger orgs take hours. Email arrives when ZIP is ready.
- Download the ZIP from the link in the email
ZIP must be downloaded within 48 hours; after that, link expires and you re-schedule.
Weekly (higher editions) / Monthly (lower editions).
All Data / Selected Objects.
Include / Exclude images / docs / attachments.
Where the ready-to-download notification goes.
- ZIP availability is 48 hours. Miss the window and you re-schedule — there's no retry. Set calendar reminders for backup downloads.
- Salesforce-built-in Data Export is for backup, not live integration. Routine ETL / sync should use Bulk API or third-party tools — not on-demand exports.
- Files / attachments dramatically increase ZIP size. A 10GB org can become a 50GB ZIP with files included — consider whether file content is needed for your backup purpose.