---
title: "Chart’nX CSV export: choose the format and read the file"
description: "Excel report or raw data: choose the format of a Chart’nX CSV export, its units, separators and encoding, then read totals and estimated values correctly."
canonical: https://wiki.can-nx.com/en/guides/chart-export-format/
language: en
product: Chart’nX
audience:
  - utilisateur
  - administrateur
  - installateur
context: "Chart’nX: Export to CSV window of a saved dashboard, presets and advanced options"
---

# Chart’nX CSV export: choose the format and read the file

Context: Chart’nX: Export to CSV window of a saved dashboard, presets and advanced options

The **Export to CSV** window of a Chart’nX dashboard offers two starting presets, **Excel report** for spreadsheets and **Raw data** for data processing, then detailed settings: units, precision, files, timestamps, separators, encoding and metadata. Choose the preset according to how the file will be used, adjust it if needed, then read totals, empty cells and estimated values correctly.

For users authorized to view the dashboard. Selecting the panels and starting the export are described in [Export the data](https://wiki.can-nx.com/en/guides/chart-export/).

## Choose a starting preset

| Characteristic | **Excel report** | **Raw data** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Units | Displayed | Base |
| Values | Rounded | Calculated, without display rounding |
| Files | Aligned matrix in a single file | Long format |
| Timestamps | Local time | ISO 8601 UTC |
| Column separator | Semicolon | Comma |
| Decimal mark | Comma | Point |
| Encoding | UTF-8 with BOM | UTF-8 without BOM |
| Metadata block | Included | Absent from the long format |

**Excel report** produces a CSV file, not an XLSX workbook.

**Raw data** does not reuse the time grouping of the displayed values. Its values may result from a calculation: “raw” does not mean that each value is a direct measurement.

## Customize the settings

1. First select **Excel report** or **Raw data**.
2. On a large screen, look at **Format**; on a narrow screen, open **Advanced options**.
3. Adjust the relevant settings using the table below.
4. Check the **Custom** indication if you changed a setting of the preset. To return to the starting settings, select the preset you want again.

| Setting | Choice and effect |
| --- | --- |
| **Units** | **Displayed** to get the chart’s units and grouping; **Base** for per-interval values in their base unit. |
| **Precision** | **Rounded** follows the panel’s rounding; **Full** keeps the calculated value. This setting is separate from **Time step** in **Period**. |
| **Files** | **Single (matrix)** aligns the series by timestamp and places the summaries in a **Synthèse** (summary) block. **One per panel (zip)** separates the time-series panels. **Long (machine)** provides one row per timestamp and per series. |
| **Timestamps** | **Local time** follows the time zone chosen in the dashboard; **ISO 8601 UTC** uses UTC. In **Long (machine)**, UTC is enforced. |
| **Separator** and **Decimal mark** | **Semicolon (;)** or **Comma (,)** for columns; **Comma (,)** or **Period (.)** for decimals. Choosing the comma as separator enforces the decimal point; choosing the decimal comma restores the semicolon as separator. |
| **Encoding** | **UTF-8 + BOM** or **UTF-8**; the long format enforces UTF-8 without BOM. |
| **Metadata block** | **Included** or **None**; the long format does not carry this block. |

## Read a matrix

A matrix shows **Horodatage** (timestamp), the series columns and their units. The **Total** row, separated from the measurements by an empty row, summarizes each series: depending on the measurement, it is a sum, an average, a minimum or a maximum value. Do not add this row to the measurements.

An empty cell is not a zero. In matrices with metadata, **Points estimés** (estimated points) gives a count of the estimated points.

## Read the long format

The long format includes in particular the columns **timestamp**, **panel**, **series**, **value**, **unit** and **estimated**. In **estimated**, the value **1** indicates the presence of estimated data; **0** indicates the absence of this marking. Depending on the chosen format, the summaries may be delivered separately.

## Check the result

- The browser may remember the format preferences of this dashboard. Review the period, the time step and the panel selection, however, before each **Export**.
- Compare the file with the chart. If they differ, first check the period, units, time step, rounding and time zone.

## Troubleshooting

For a grayed-out export, a missing panel or a failure, follow the [export troubleshooting guide](https://wiki.can-nx.com/en/guides/chart-export-troubleshoot/). For a persistent discrepancy between the file and the chart, write to support@can-nx.com with the dashboard name and these settings, without sending a file containing confidential information.

French labels: see the [export label mapping](https://wiki.can-nx.com/en/guides/chart-export-labels/).