Exporting Your Reports (Now Even Better!)

Plans 💳 : Everyone

User Permissions 👥: Everyone

For legacy plans, please refer to the article here.

Say goodbye to clunky exports and hello 👋 to a streamlined, intuitive report-exporting experience! We’ve overhauled the way you generate reports in Timely, making it easier than ever to grab the data you need—whether it’s a quick spreadsheet, a polished PDF, or an automatic scheduled report sent straight to your inbox 📥.
​

• Cleaner, more intuitive design – Everything you need is in one streamlined view.

• Fewer clicks, faster exports – Get your data quicker, with a clear breakdown of each step.

• Customizable exports – Pick and choose the data and columns you need.

• Real-time preview – See what your export will look like before you commit.

• Scheduled exports – Set it and forget it! Automate reports and have them sent to your inbox at regular intervals.

Before exporting, you’ll need to generate a report that includes the data you want.

Head to the Reports page and use filters to build out the data that best fits your needs. Choose the time range, people, projects, tags—whatever details matter most.

Once you’re happy with what you see, save the report so you can return to it or set up scheduled exports later.

For a full breakdown of how to create reports in Timely, check out our guide to Reports.

Click the Export button in the top-right corner of your saved report. You’ll see two export format options:
​

• Spreadsheet – for in-depth, customizable data

• Simple Timesheet – for a cleaner, PDF-ready summary

Each export option comes with its own format and purpose—so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you choose.
​

Choose this if you want full control over what data gets exported. Perfect for analysis, internal reporting, or sharing detailed breakdowns.

Data you can export:
​

• Time Entries – previously the “Entries only” option

• Workspace Breakdown – projects, clients, users, teams, tags, tasks (formerly the “Totals only” option)

• Combine both for a full picture (formerly the “Entries and Totals” option)

Customize your columns:

After choosing your data, you’ll be able to select which columns to include in the export:
​

• Some columns are mandatory (we’ll gray them out for you)

• Columns are grouped into easy-to-scan categories: Metrics, Client & Project, Team & User, Entry, and Tasks

👀 Preview before you export:

Click the Quick Preview button to see the first five rows of your export previewed—based on your selected columns and layout—so you can catch any issues before downloading.

Need something clean, polished, and easy to share? Choose the Simple Timesheet export for a quick PDF snapshot:

• No table breakdowns here—just a streamlined list of time entries

• You can still select which columns to include

• Exports can include totals only or totals with entries

• Blank columns are optional (just like in spreadsheets)

• No preview available for PDF exports

If you regularly export the same type of report, you can define default export settings using the Export Options menu. This lets you save:
​

• Your own customized default column selection and layout

• Tag display preferences

• Whether to include blank columns

These defaults will be applied automatically whenever you export from that report, as well as on scheduled exports, but you can update or override them anytime.

Save time and stay consistent by automating your exports.

You can schedule any saved report to be sent via email on a regular cadence—weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or yearly.

• Found in the Export dropdown menu under the Schedule option

• Each report supports one active schedule at a time

• Deliver to one or more email addresses

• Scheduled exports use your saved Export Options and current filters

• Reports are generated at midnight based on the schedule start date

• Use dynamic date ranges (like “This Month” or “Last Week”) for up-to-date data every time

Need to re-download a recent report? No problem.

Timely automatically saves your last five exports in the Export History menu, so they’re easy to find and grab again. Older exports are cleared out to keep things tidy.

When exporting directly from the Timesheet view, what you see is exactly what you get.

• The export will reflect your current filters, columns, and layout

• The report downloads instantly as a CSV file

• Sorting is preserved for key fields like name, project, tags, client, and billable status

• If you’ve chosen to show tags in multiple columns, they’ll be placed at the end of the file

Just click the 📥 Export button in the top right-hand corner of your timesheet and your file will begin to download.

• Removing a data source (like “Hours”) doesn’t automatically remove related columns—make sure to review column selections before exporting.

• For very large exports, we’ll send your file by email instead of triggering a direct download.

• Export formatting and defaults can be managed at both the workspace level and the individual report level.

As you generate your CSV or Excel export files and select the appropriate columns you'd like included, you can reference the different fields available and their descriptions below.

What's different in the new export experience?

The new export system is more intuitive and flexible! Instead of selecting a format first, you now configure your data first and then choose the format that best suits your needs. You can also preview your export, schedule automatic reports, and customize your export settings without leaving the page.

Can I still export reports the way I used to?

Most of the core functionality remains the same, but the process is now more streamlined. Instead of picking CSV or PDF upfront, you first define your report details, then select the format. Some terminology has changed too-what used to be called "Entries only" is now Time Entries, and "Totals only" is now Workspace Breakdown with Clients, Projects, People, etc.

What’s the difference between the export file types?

CSV

CSV exports are ideal when you’re pulling a single table of raw data. These open easily in tools like Excel or Google Sheets, and are perfect if you want to build your own formulas, charts, or dashboards—or if you’re piping Timely data into another system.

XLS

XLS files are used when your export includes multiple tables (like time entries and project breakdowns). Each table gets its own sheet, making it easier to explore data from different angles. Great for pivot tables, reporting templates, or anything more complex in Excel.

PDF (Simple Timesheet Export)

PDF exports give you a clean, easy-to-read snapshot—ideal for sharing with clients, teammates, or stakeholders. Use them to provide proof of hours worked, generate internal timesheets, or support your billing process with a polished report.