Skip to main content

Data Export

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Download a complete copy of all your CADENSA data in machine-readable format.

Overview​

CADENSA allows you to export all your personal data at any time, in two formats:

  • JSON: Machine-readable, complete data structure (ideal for developers)
  • CSV: Human-readable, Excel-compatible (ideal for analysis)

GDPR Compliance: This implements your Right to Access (GDPR Article 15) and Right to Data Portability (GDPR Article 20).

What Data is Exported?​

Your export includes everything we store about you:

1. Profile Information​

Email Privacy

Your email address is stored as a SHA256 hash (privacy-by-design). The emailHash field in your export is not the raw email — the export metadata explains this.

  • Account ID, email hash (SHA256), account status
  • Email verified status, two-factor authentication status
  • Account creation date, last login date and IP address
  • Subscription details (tier, status)
  • Timezone and language preference
  • Terms acceptance history (version, date, IP)
  • GDPR rights status: data processing objections, processing restrictions, restriction reason
  • UI preferences (last used workspace)

2. Time Tracking Data​

  • All time entries (start time, stop time, duration)
  • Entry descriptions
  • Associated projects and tasks
  • Tags and labels
  • Billable/non-billable flags
  • Timestamps (created, updated)

3. Projects & Workspaces​

  • Project names and descriptions
  • Projects where you are a team member
  • Tasks where you are the assignee or creator
  • Your own workspace membership record (role, status, joined date) — other team members' data is not included

4. Financial Data​

  • Invoice history from Stripe (number, amount, currency, status, date)
  • Invoice PDF and hosted invoice links (note: these Stripe URLs are time-limited and may expire)
  • Subscription details

5. Preferences & Settings​

  • Email preferences (marketing, notifications)
  • Notification settings (in-app, email, desktop)
  • Cookie consent choices
  • Privacy settings
  • GDPR rights status (restrictions, objections)

6. Audit & Security Logs​

  • All security events: login, logout, password changes, 2FA changes, GDPR actions, billing events (last 2 years)
  • Each entry includes: action type, resource type, timestamp, success/failure, IP address, user agent

Export Formats​

JSON Format​

Best for:

  • Developers
  • Data migration to another service
  • Programmatic data processing
  • Complete data structure preservation

Structure:

{
  "exportMetadata": {
    "exportDate": "2026-05-09T10:00:00.000Z",
    "exportFormat": "json",
    "dataVersion": "2.0",
    "emailNote": "The emailHash is a SHA256 hash of your email address, following privacy-by-design principles.",
    "processingPurposes": "Time tracking, billing, GDPR compliance",
    "retentionPeriod": "Active account: unlimited; deleted account: 30 days",
    "supervisoryAuthority": "NAIH (National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information)",
    "privacyPolicyUrl": "https://cadensa.com/privacy"
  },
  "profile": {
    "_id": "...",
    "emailHash": "c7af815a...",
    "status": "active",
    "emailVerified": true,
    "twoFactorEnabled": false,
    "createdAt": "2026-01-15T10:00:00.000Z",
    "lastLoginAt": "2026-05-09T08:00:00.000Z",
    "lastLoginIp": "...",
    "subscription": { "tier": "pro", "status": "active" },
    "metadata": { "timezone": "Europe/Budapest", "preferredLanguage": "en", "acceptedTerms": true },
    "termsAcceptances": [{ "version": "1.0", "acceptedAt": "2026-01-15T10:00:00.000Z" }],
    "dataProcessingObjections": { "directMarketing": false, "profiling": false, "legitimateInterests": false },
    "processingRestricted": false
  },
  "timeEntries": [ /* ... */ ],
  "projects": [ /* ... */ ],
  "tasks": [ /* ... */ ],
  "ownMemberships": [ /* your UnitUser record per workspace */ ],
  "invoices": [ /* ... */ ],
  "subscriptions": [ /* ... */ ],
  "auditLogs": [ /* last 2 years */ ],
  "emailPreferences": { /* ... */ },
  "notificationPreferences": { /* ... */ }
}

File size: Typically 100KB - 5MB (depends on usage)

CSV Format​

Best for:

  • Human reading
  • Excel/Google Sheets analysis
  • Quick data overview
  • Non-technical users

Structure: A single UTF-8 encoded file (with BOM for Excel compatibility) containing named sections:

=== USER PROFILE ===
_id,emailHash,status,emailVerified,...
...

=== WORKSPACES/UNITS ===
_id,name,bundle,tier,...
...

=== TIME ENTRIES ===
_id,unitName,date,startTime,endTime,duration,...
...

=== PROJECTS ===
...

=== TASKS ===
...

=== OWN MEMBERSHIPS ===
...

=== INVOICES (Billing History) ===
# Note: hostedUrl and pdfUrl links are time-limited Stripe URLs.
...

=== AUDIT LOGS (Last 2 years) ===
...

=== EMAIL PREFERENCES ===
...

=== NOTIFICATION PREFERENCES ===
...

=== EXPORT METADATA ===
...

File size: Typically 50KB - 3MB

How to Export Your Data​

Step 1: Navigate to Export Page​

  1. Log in to your CADENSA account
  2. Click your profile picture (top-right)
  3. Select "Settings"
  4. Navigate to "Privacy" tab
  5. Scroll to "Data Export" section

Step 2: Choose Format​

Click one of the export buttons:

  • "Export as JSON" - Machine-readable format
  • "Export as CSV" - Excel-compatible format

Step 3: Download Starts Automatically​

  • File is generated instantly (no waiting time)
  • Download starts automatically
  • File name: cadensa-export-{timestamp}.{format}
  • Example: cadensa-export-2026-02-02.json

Step 4: Verify Export​

  1. Open the downloaded file
  2. JSON: Use a JSON viewer or text editor
  3. CSV: Open with Excel, Google Sheets, or text editor
  4. Verify data completeness:
  • Check profile information
  • Verify time entries count
  • Confirm projects are included

Export Frequency​

No Limits:

  • Export as many times as you want
  • No waiting period between exports
  • No additional cost

Best Practices:

  • Export monthly for backup purposes
  • Export before major changes (e.g., switching plans)
  • Export before account deletion

Using Exported Data​

Import to Another Service​

Most time tracking services support JSON import:

  1. Download JSON export from CADENSA
  2. Check target service's import documentation
  3. Upload file to new service
  4. Map fields (if required)

Popular Services:

  • Toggl Track (supports JSON)
  • Harvest (supports CSV)
  • Clockify (supports CSV)

Analyze in Excel/Google Sheets​

CSV format works seamlessly:

  1. Download CSV export (single .csv file)
  2. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets (the UTF-8 BOM ensures correct character encoding)
  3. Each section is separated by a === SECTION === header row — you can filter or split by section
  4. Create pivot tables, charts, formulas from the time entries section

Example Analysis:

  • Total hours per project
  • Billable vs. non-billable ratio
  • Daily/weekly/monthly summaries

Archive for Records​

Keep a local backup:

  1. Export as JSON (most complete)
  2. Store in secure location (encrypted drive)
  3. Re-export monthly or quarterly
  4. Keep for tax records (8 years recommended)

FAQ​

How long does export take?​

Instant. Data is generated on-demand and downloads immediately. No waiting period.

Is my export encrypted?​

During download: Yes (HTTPS) After download: No - the file is plain text

Recommendation: Store exported files in an encrypted folder or archive.

Can I automate exports via API?​

Not yet. API data export is planned for Q2 2026. Currently, exports must be manual.

Does export include deleted items?​

No. Only current, non-deleted data is included. Deleted items cannot be recovered.

What about team workspace data?​

Your data only:

  • Time entries you created
  • Projects and tasks you are a member of or created
  • Your own workspace membership record (ownMemberships) — role, status, joined date

Not included:

  • Other team members' personal data (names, emails, permissions)
  • Team workspace settings (unless you're the owner)

Can I export specific date ranges?​

Not yet. Currently, exports include ALL data. Filtered exports are planned for a future update.

Workaround: Export all data, then filter in Excel/Sheets.

What if export fails?​

  1. Refresh page and try again
  2. Try different format (JSON if CSV failed, or vice versa)
  3. Check browser console for errors (F12)
  4. Contact support: support@cadensa.io with error details

Privacy & Security​

Data in Export​

Sensitive Information:

  • Passwords are never included (not even hashed)
  • Payment card numbers not included (Stripe only)
  • Two-factor authentication secrets not included

Included:

  • Email hash (SHA256), account status, login history
  • All time entries and descriptions
  • Projects and tasks you are involved in
  • Your own workspace membership record
  • Invoice amounts and Stripe links (links are time-limited)
Handle with Care

Your export contains personal and financial data. Store securely and delete after use if not needed.

Secure Storage​

Recommendations:

  1. Encrypt files: Use 7-Zip, VeraCrypt, or OS encryption
  2. Password protect: Use strong passwords
  3. Secure location: Cloud storage with 2FA (Google Drive, Dropbox)
  4. Delete when done: Don't leave exports in Downloads folder

Sharing Exports​

** Never share exports containing:**

  • Personal email addresses
  • Financial data
  • Client information
  • Proprietary project details

If you must share:

  1. Redact sensitive information first
  2. Use secure file transfer (not email)
  3. Password-protect the archive
  4. Delete after recipient confirms receipt

Troubleshooting​

Export button does nothing​

  1. Disable ad blocker (may block downloads)
  2. Check popup blocker (allow popups for cadensa.io)
  3. Try different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
  4. Clear cache and cookies

Export file is corrupted​

  1. Try different format (JSON if CSV failed)
  2. Check file size (should be > 1KB)
  3. Re-download (may have been interrupted)
  4. Check disk space (ensure enough free space)

CSV file won't open in Excel​

  1. Extract ZIP first (CSV comes in archive)
  2. Use "Data > Import" in Excel instead of double-click
  3. Specify UTF-8 encoding (for special characters)
  4. Try Google Sheets as alternative

JSON file seems incomplete​

  1. Use JSON validator (jsonlint.com)
  2. Check file size (compare with expected)
  3. Contact support with file size and error message

Need Help?​

Email: support@cadensa.io Subject: "Data Export Issue" Include:

  • Export format (JSON or CSV)
  • Browser and version
  • Error message (if any)
  • File size (if downloaded)

Response Time: Within 24 hours

Legal Reference: This implements GDPR Articles 15 (Right to Access) and 20 (Right to Data Portability). For full legal text, see our Privacy Policy.