Export my areas so they may be re-imported at a later date

This article describes how to export data from an area layer so that it may be re-imported at a later date. This is especially useful if you're cancelling all or part of your subscription and want to be able to import the data when you sign back up in the future.

Your data will be downloaded as a .csv file.

Prerequisites

1. You need to be logged into Vision.
2. You need to have exporting permissions.

Estimated time: Up to 5 minutes.

Downloading area data

The first task is to download data for your areas. In our example, we're going to use our 'Territories' layer.

Start by turning on the layer you wish to export. Then, click the 'Actions' button.

In the actions menu, click the 'Table view' button under the 'Layer data' header.

Now, click the 'Export data' button in the bottom-left.

Next, select 'Choose what to export' in the dropdown menu on the left-hand side, and toggle all 'Export options' on the right-hand side to 'Yes'. Finally, click the 'Generate Export' button.

Lastly, we recommend renaming your file to "<area layer name> - Data" for easy identification in the future. In our example, we'd call our file "Territories - Data".

That's it! You've just exported all your data for that layer.

Downloading area allocation data

The next task is to download the allocation data which specifies what areas have been used to create the areas in your layer.

The process is extremely similar to exporting your area data, but we'll walk you through it from the start.

Start by turning on the area layer that you use to create your areas from. Then, click the 'Actions' button.  In our example, our 'Territories' layer is created from the 'Postcode Sectors' layer.

In the actions menu, click the 'Table view' button under the 'Layer data' header.

Now, click the 'Export data' button in the bottom-left.

Next, select 'Choose what to export' in the dropdown menu on the left-hand side, and under 'Export options' on the right-hand side set 'Dependent Areas' to 'Yes'. Finally, click the 'Generate Export' button.

Lastly, we recommend renaming your file to "<area layer name> - Allocation" for easy identification in the future.

That's it! Keep both these files safe and you'll be able to easily re-import the data in the future.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I have multiple layers to export?

You need to complete the first task for each layer you wish to export. However, the second task only needs to be completed once for each unique area layer you build your areas from as the allocations are exported for all area layers you have built from it. You may find it useful to draw out your own area layer hierarchy using the example table below. Consider the following hypothetical area layer hierarchy.

You need to complete the first task for the following area layers (the unique area layers in the first column):

• Territories
• Alternative Territories
• Area Territories

You need to complete the second task for the following area layers (the unique area layers in the second column):

• Postcode Sectors (one export will cover allocations for the Territories and Alternative Territories layers)
• Territories

Additionally, by making your own hierarchy table, it will be easier to recreate your data hierarchy when signing back up!