---
title: Export your data
description: Prepare and download an export of your Cloud instance, with both of its databases and its keys.
---

An export is a copy of your instance that you download. The console describes it as "A self-host bundle with both databases and the environment file with its keys." It holds your instance's data, the assistant's memory and the instance's keys.

Metis Cloud also backs up every running instance each night, but you cannot download those backups. An export is your own copy.

You can prepare an export while the instance is **Running** or **Suspended**. Otherwise, the card says "Exports are available while the instance is running or stopped."

:::warning[Keep the file safe]
An export is as sensitive as the instance itself, because it holds all of its data and keys. Store it somewhere safe, and do not share it.
:::

## Before you start

You need two-factor authentication on your Metis Cloud account. Without it, the **Exports** tab says "Two-factor authentication is required for exports", and **Prepare export** and **Download** do not work. Click **Settings** in that message to turn it on. See [Two-factor authentication](/cloud/account/two-factor-authentication).

## Prepare and download an export

1. **Open Exports**

    Open your instance in the console and click **Exports** in the sidebar.

2. **Prepare the export**

    Click **Prepare export**. A new row appears with the status **Preparing**. The page refreshes on
    its own until the export is ready.

3. **Download it**

    When the status is **Ready**, click **Download**. Your browser downloads the file.

    Each click makes a new download link that works for ten minutes. If a download does not start, click **Download** again.

## The list of exports

The **Exports** card lists your 5 most recent exports, with the time each was **Requested**, its **Status** and the **File**.

| Status        | What it means                                                       |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Preparing** | The export is being made.                                           |
| **Ready**     | You can download it.                                                |
| **Failed**    | The export did not work. A reason can follow. Prepare a new export. |

## If something goes wrong

| Message                                                             | What to do                                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| "An export is already being prepared."                              | Wait until the current export is ready.                     |
| "The export could not be started. Try again in a few minutes."      | Wait a few minutes, then click **Prepare export** again.    |
| "An export is available once the instance is running or suspended." | Wait until the instance is running, or until it is stopped. |
| "This export is not ready."                                         | Wait until the status is **Ready**.                         |

## When the instance is stopped or deleted

When an instance is stopped, its status is **Suspended**, and its data is kept until the date on the **Overview**. You can still prepare and download exports until then. See [Overview](/cloud/your-instance/overview#a-stopped-instance).

When you delete an instance, its exports are deleted with it.