Exporting messages
The instructions below are for desktops and laptops only.
Your tawk.to Inbox makes it easy to select, export, and download message data for any property in your account.
Before you begin
You must have Admin access to the property.
The property must be enabled (active). If the property is disabled, you will need to re-enable it before exporting.
Steps to export messages
3. Click Inbox in the top menu.
4. The Inbox view shows four tabs: Chats, Tickets, Trash, and Spam.
5. Find the messages you want to export. You can use the Filter icon to narrow results by Agent, Status, Tag, Updated date, and more.
- To export a single chat, tick the checkbox to the left of that chat.
- To export multiple chats, tick each chat’s checkbox.
- To export all visible chats, tick the empty checkbox at the top of the list to select all.
7. In the Export Conversations pop-up, enter the recipient email address and click Send.
8. The recipient will receive an email with a link. That link opens the dashboard where the recipient can download a ZIP file containing the export. The ZIP includes one or more JSON files for the exported chats.
About the exported files
When you export messages, tawk.to generates a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file. JSON is a structured text format used to store and exchange data. Each file contains message details such as timestamps, visitor and agent names, message content, and other related information — all organized in a way that’s easy for software systems to read.
Because JSON is plain text, you can open it in any text editor — for example, Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS. However, since the structure includes brackets, quotation marks, and nested fields, it may not be visually easy to read.
If you want to analyze your data, share it, or review it in a spreadsheet, you can convert JSON files to CSV or Excel format. You can do this using online JSON-to-CSV converters, spreadsheet programs with import tools, or custom scripts. If you regularly work with exported data, consider using automation tools or integrations to streamline the process.
To learn more about converting JSON files, see this guide:
Export limits
You can export up to 50 messages at a time from the Inbox. If you need to export a larger number of messages or automate the process, you can use our REST API.
The REST API allows you to retrieve chat data programmatically, but it requires some coding knowledge to set up. To learn more about REST API, see this guide: REST API
How to enable a disabled property
1. Select the correct property.
2. Click Administration in the top menu.
3. Under Overview, go to Status and turn the Active switch on.
4. After enabling the property, return to your Inbox and repeat the export steps.
Additional considerations
Share carefully
The export email includes a secure link to download a ZIP file from the dashboard. Anyone with this link can access your exported data, so share it only with trusted team members or administrators. Avoid forwarding the link to ensure visitor information remains protected.
Automation & webhooks
If you need regular or automated exports, use webhooks or automation tools instead of manual downloads. Webhooks send chat data to another platform in real time — such as your CRM or database — keeping your records updated automatically.
Related guides
If you have feedback about this article, or if you need more help:
Click the green live chat icon
Schedule a call with us
Visit our community