Exporting and importing workbooks

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Updated at July 9, 2025

Exporting a workbook
Importing a workbook
Disabling workbook export
Limitations

In DataLens, you can move workbooks between installations using export and import tools. For example, you can export a ready-made workbook with its settings and connections from the cloud Yandex DataLens to an open source installation.

Note

You can only export and import workbooks.
Some connection types are not available for export and import.
Export is available to users with the datalens.admin role.
Import is available to users who have permissions to create a new workbook.

Exporting a workbook

To export a workbook:

In the left-hand panel, select Collections and workbooks.
Use one of the following methods to start exporting the workbook you need:
- Next to the workbook, click → Export.
- Open the workbook and click → Export at the top.
Click Export. You can see the progress in the indicator. Note the following:
- Workbooks are exported to a JSON file.
- This may take a few minutes.
- Sensitive connection data is not saved. During import, the user will have to set up connections again, e.g., specify a token or enter a password, and for connections to a file, Yandex Documents, or Google Sheets, reupload the data.
- Other DataLens versions may not support certain connection types. During import, such connection will not work.
If you try to close the indicator window before the export is complete, you will get the cancel export warning. Select:
- Return to continue the export.
- Cancel export to stop it.

Once the export is complete, you may get warnings with workbook details and a list of objects requiring attention. To download the export file in JSON format, click Download.

Tip

You can edit the exported JSON file, e.g., add a password for a connection. However, DataLens does not guarantee successful import and correct operation of the workbook if you manually edit its configuration. We recommend that you carefully review all changes before import to mitigate possible issues.

If the workbook export fails, you will get an error message. Try to fix the error and re-export the workbook.

Importing a workbook

To import a workbook:

In the left-hand panel, select Collections and workbooks.
In the top-right corner, click Create → Create workbook.
In the workbook creation window:
1. Enter a name for the workbook.
  
  Note
  
  The workbook name must be unique within the selected collection.
2. At the bottom, click Select file and select the JSON file with the workbook configuration.
3. Click Create.
You can see the import progress in the indicator. If you close the indicator window before the import is complete, it will not be interrupted. While the import is in progress, you will see the new workbook in the workbook list labeled as Importing, and selecting it will open the import progress window.

Once the import is complete, you may get warnings with details of the imported workbook and a list of objects requiring attention. To go to the new workbook, click Open workbook. You can configure additional settings if you need to, e.g., enter a password for a connection.

Note

When transferring workbooks with connections to a file, Yandex Documents, or Google Sheets, reupload the data. To do this, in the connection, to the right of the file name, click → Replace and then:

In a connection to a file, select the data file.
In connections to Yandex Documents and Google Sheets, specify a link to the data file.

When transferring workbooks with connections to managed databases created in Select in organization mode, they will be imported manually (Specify manually). If you need to, complete the connection setup manually after import.

If the workbook import fails, you will get an error message. Try to fix the error and re-import the workbook.

Disabling workbook export

Note

This feature is only available with the Business service plan.

By default, users with the datalens.admin role can export workbooks. You can disable this option at the DataLens instance level. After you disable export:

Export button will disappear from the workbook interface.
Users will not be able to export workbooks.
Any JSON export files created before you disable export may be imported to a new workbook.

Only the DataLens instance admin (the datalens.admin role) can disable export.

Exporting and importing workbooks

Exporting a workbookExporting a workbook

Importing a workbookImporting a workbook

Disabling workbook exportDisabling workbook export

LimitationsLimitations

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Exporting a workbook

Importing a workbook

Disabling workbook export

Limitations