Export Files from Salesforce List Views

Export from List Views

This export method lets you target files associated with records in a specific Salesforce List View. Select an object, pick a list view, and export all files linked to every record in that view — in one operation. It is the fastest way to bulk-download files when your target set of records is already defined as a list view in Salesforce.

Export from Salesforce List Views screen in SFDC File Exporter — The List View export screen — select object, choose list view, pick file type and output folder.

How to Use

Select Export Type

In the sidebar or main menu, choose Export from List View.

Choose a Salesforce Object

Select the object whose list views you want to browse — for example, Account, Contact, Opportunity, or any custom object in your org.

Select a List View

The app loads all list views defined for the chosen object. Select the list view that targets the records you need. Each list view is shown exactly as it appears in Salesforce.

Choose File Type

Select Files (ContentDocument), Attachments, or both. Files are the modern Salesforce storage type; Attachments are the legacy type found on older records.

Choose File Naming

Select whether to save exported files using their original file name or named after the parent Record ID. See File Naming Options below for guidance on which to use.

Set Output Folder & Export

Click Browse to select your destination folder, then click Export. A real-time progress bar shows files downloaded, files remaining, and any errors encountered.

Only list views you have read access to will appear in the dropdown. If an expected list view is missing, check your Salesforce profile's sharing settings or ask your Salesforce admin to grant access to that list view.

File Naming Options

When exporting, you control how each downloaded file is named on disk. SFDC File Exporter offers two options to suit different workflows — one that keeps the original file names recognizable, and one that makes each file uniquely traceable back to its Salesforce parent record.

Option 1

Original File Name

The file is saved exactly as it was named in Salesforce — the same name a user would see when opening the record's Files related list. This is the most human-readable option and the best choice when the file names themselves carry meaning (for example, Invoice_March_2024.pdf or Contract_Signed.docx).

output-folder / Invoice_March_2024.pdf

Option 2

Parent Record ID

The file is renamed using the Salesforce ID of the parent record it is attached to. This guarantees a unique, unambiguous file name even when multiple records have attachments with identical names (for example, two records each with a file named photo.jpg). Useful for automated pipelines or archival workflows where traceability matters more than readability.

output-folder / 001XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX_photo.jpg

Duplicate file names. If you choose Original File Name and two records in the list view have attachments with the same name, the second file will overwrite the first in the output folder. Use Parent Record ID naming to avoid this when duplicate names are likely.

Choosing the Right Option

Situation	Recommended Option
Files have descriptive, unique names and you want them easy to browse	Original File Name
Multiple records may share the same file name (e.g., `photo.jpg`, `document.pdf`)	Parent Record ID
You need to trace each file back to a specific Salesforce record later	Parent Record ID
Exporting for human review, sharing, or archiving where names must be readable	Original File Name
Feeding files into an automated processing pipeline	Parent Record ID

Regardless of which naming option you choose, the export log always records the original file name, parent record ID, and the saved file path for every downloaded file — so you can always cross-reference them after the export.

Settings Export from Object