> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spherescout.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Export business contacts to CSV from SphereScout

> How to download your search results as a CSV file, what columns are included, how credits are charged, and how long your download link stays active.

After you have filtered your search to the right set of contacts, you can export the full list as a CSV file. Exports are processed asynchronously — SphereScout queues the job, generates the file, and makes it available for download once it is ready. This page covers the full export process, what the file contains, and what happens to your download link over time.

## Export your contacts

<Steps>
  <Step title="Run your search">
    Apply your filters on the dashboard until you have the contact list you want. Check the total count shown above the preview table — this is the number of contacts that will be in your export and the number of credits that will be charged.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Download">
    Click the **Download** button. A confirmation dialog appears showing the total contact count, credit cost, and available export formats. Review the details and confirm to start the export.

    <Warning>
      Each export costs credits equal to the number of contacts in your results. Make sure you are satisfied with your filters before confirming — credits are deducted when the export job starts.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for processing to complete">
    Exports are generated asynchronously. After you confirm, the job enters a **Processing** state while SphereScout compiles the file. The status updates to **Completed** when the file is ready.

    For most searches this takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on list size. You do not need to stay on the page — the export is saved to your [History](/guides/export-history) automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the file">
    Once the status shows **Completed**, the download starts automatically or you can click the download button to save the file manually. The file is a CSV you can open in Excel, Google Sheets, or import directly into your CRM or email tool.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What is in the CSV

Each row in the export represents one business contact. The columns included are:

| Column       | Description                                         |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| `name`       | Business name                                       |
| `email`      | Email address                                       |
| `phone`      | Phone number                                        |
| `city`       | City                                                |
| `country`    | Country                                             |
| `region`     | State, region, or department                        |
| `zipcode`    | Postal / zip code                                   |
| `website`    | Website URL                                         |
| `linkedin`   | LinkedIn profile URL                                |
| `twitter`    | Twitter/X profile URL                               |
| `instagram`  | Instagram profile URL                               |
| `facebook`   | Facebook page URL                                   |
| `first_seen` | Date the contact first appeared in the database     |
| `last_seen`  | Date the contact was last confirmed in the database |

Columns for social media and contact details are left blank when SphereScout does not have that data for a given business.

## Credits and expiry

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Credit cost">
    Each export costs one credit per contact. An export of 500 contacts costs 500 credits. The exact cost is shown in the confirmation dialog before you proceed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Download expiry">
    Download links expire 30 days after the export is created. After that, you can no longer download the file. The expiry date is shown in your [Export History](/guides/export-history).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  If you need to download the same file again within the 30-day window, go to your [Export History](/guides/export-history) and click **Download** on that row. Re-downloading an existing file is free — no additional credits are charged.
</Note>