---
alias: user-guide-export-automation-entities
tags:
- connect iot
description: "This documentation outlines exporting automation entities for later import or instance transfer"
---

# Export Automation Entities

:lock: AutomationController.**Show**

## Overview

This operation is used to export all entities that are used by an **Automation Controller** so that they can be imported later or in another Critical Manufacturing instance.

## Setup

No specific setup is required other than to meet the preconditions of the transaction.

## Preconditions

* The **Automation Controller** exists in the system.

## Sequence of Steps

The Export Automation Controller wizard can be called from the `Details` editor within the **Automation Controller** page.

## General Data - Export as Masterdata

1. Open the `Details` editor and press the three dots on the top panel. Press **Export**, and then `Data to File` to open the wizard.
2. Select create.
3. Fill in the desired file name.
4. Select the File Tpe `XLSX`

![Screenshot showing a data export interface with an option to select file type, specifically highlighting the selection of "File Type" as "XLSX".](./images/automation_controller_export.png)

The masterdata will be exported as an importable `ZIP` file. It will contain a masterdata in `XLSX` format with all the entities and all the `Automation Workflows` as json files.

![Screenshot showing a file path on a computer desktop, specifically C > Local Disk(C:) > Users > Downloads > File Controller.zip.](./images/automation_controller_export_masterdata.png)

## General Data - Export as JSON format

1. Open the `Details` editor and press the three dots on the top panel. Press **Export**, and then `Data to File` to open the wizard.
2. Select create.
3. Fill in the desired file name.
4. Select the File Tpe `JSON`

![Screenshot showing a file type selection dialog with "JSON" highlighted.](./images/automation_controller_export_json.png)

The masterdata will be exported as an importable `JSON` file.

## General Data - Export as XML format

1. Open the `Details` editor and press the three dots on the top panel. Press **Export**, and then `XML` to open the wizard.
2. Fill in the desired file name.

![Screenshot showing a data export settings page with an input field for specifying the file name, labeled "File name".](./images/automation_controller_export_xml.png)

The masterdata will be exported as an importable `XML` file.