How to Login to Salesforce — SFDC File Exporter

Login Options

SFDC File Exporter provides two ways to connect to your Salesforce org. Choose the one that fits your situation:

Direct Login

Uses your Salesforce username and password directly — no Salesforce admin configuration required.

No Connected App needed
Works immediately after install
Requires security token if IP not whitelisted
Uses the Direct Login tab in the app

OAuth Login (Connected App)

Uses a Salesforce Connected App with Consumer Key and Consumer Secret — the recommended method for teams and recurring use.

Requires one-time Connected App setup by an admin
No security token ever needed
Supports Auth Code (browser) or Client Credentials flows
Uses the OAuth tab in the app

Which should I use? If you just want to get started quickly and you have your Salesforce credentials, use Direct Login. If you're setting up for a team or a recurring scheduled export, use OAuth Login with a Connected App — it's more secure and doesn't require a security token.

Step 1 — Create a Connected App in Salesforce

Using Direct Login? Skip this step. A Connected App is only required for the OAuth Login method. If you're using the Direct Login tab (username + password + security token), go straight to Step 2.

SFDC File Exporter's OAuth login authenticates with Salesforce using a Connected App inside your Salesforce org. This gives you a Consumer Key (Client ID) and Consumer Secret (Client Secret) that the app uses to authenticate on your behalf.

You need System Administrator profile permissions in Salesforce to create a Connected App. If you don't have admin access, ask your Salesforce admin to follow these steps.

Steps to Create the Connected App

Open Salesforce Setup

Navigate to App Manager

In the Quick Find search box, type App Manager and click App Manager under Apps.

Create a New Connected App

Click the New Connected App button in the top-right of the App Manager page.

Fill in Basic Information

Enter the following in the Basic Information section:
Connected App Name: SFDC File Exporter
API Name: auto-fills based on the name — leave as-is.
Contact Email: your email address.

Enable OAuth Settings

Scroll to the API (Enable OAuth Settings) section and check Enable OAuth Settings. A form will expand below it.

Set the Callback URL

In the Callback URL field, enter:
http://localhost/callback
This URL is required by Salesforce but is not actually used by SFDC File Exporter's auth flow.

Add OAuth Scopes

Under Selected OAuth Scopes, add the following scopes by selecting them and clicking Add:

Access and manage your data (api)
Perform requests on your behalf at any time (refresh_token, offline_access)

Save the Connected App

Click Save at the bottom of the page. Salesforce will show a notice that it may take 2–10 minutes to activate the Connected App. Click Continue.

Retrieve Consumer Key & Secret

After saving, you are taken to the Connected App detail page. Click Manage Consumer Details (you may be prompted to verify your identity).

Copy and save the following — you will enter them into SFDC File Exporter:

Field in Salesforce	Used as in SFDC File Exporter
Consumer Key	`Client ID`
Consumer Secret	`Client Secret`

Set IP Relaxation (Recommended)

Go back to the Connected App detail page and click Manage → Edit Policies.
Under OAuth Policies, set IP Relaxation to Relax IP restrictions. This ensures the app can connect from any machine. Click Save.

The Connected App only needs to be created once per Salesforce org. Multiple users in the same org can share the same Consumer Key and Secret.

Step 2 — Connect SFDC File Exporter to Salesforce

Open SFDC File Exporter and click New Connection. The connection form has two tabs — choose the one that matches how you want to authenticate.

Method A — Direct Login (Username + Password)

The simplest option — no Connected App setup required. Use your existing Salesforce login credentials directly.

Fields Required

Field	Description
Connection Label	A friendly name for this connection (e.g., "Production Org"). Displayed in your saved connections list.
Username	Your Salesforce login email / username (e.g., `user@company.com`).
Password	Your Salesforce account password.
Security Token	Your Salesforce security token. Required if your IP address is not on the Salesforce trusted IP whitelist. Leave blank if your IP is already whitelisted.
Server	Select `Production` (login.salesforce.com), `Sandbox` (test.salesforce.com), or enter a `Custom URL` for a specific instance.

Steps

Open the Application & Click "New Connection"

Launch SFDC File Exporter. Click New Connection on the right side of the connection screen.

Select the "Direct Login" Tab

Click the Direct Login tab at the top of the New Connection form.

Fill in Your Credentials

Enter your Connection Label, Username, Password, and Security Token (if required). Select the correct Server (Production or Sandbox).

Click "Save & Connect"

Click Save & Connect. SFDC File Exporter will authenticate using the Salesforce API and display your org name on success. The connection is saved automatically for future use.

Security Token? If you see an "authentication failed" error, you likely need to add your security token. Salesforce requires it for API connections from IPs not on your org's trusted list. Reset your security token from Salesforce Settings → My Personal Information → Reset My Security Token.

Method B — OAuth Login (Connected App)

The recommended method for teams and recurring scheduled exports. Requires a Connected App created in Salesforce Setup (see Step 1).

Fields Required

Field	Description
Connection Label	A friendly name for this connection (e.g., "Production OAuth"). Displayed in your saved connections list.
Client ID	The `Consumer Key` from your Salesforce Connected App.
Client Secret	The `Consumer Secret` from your Salesforce Connected App.
Username	Your Salesforce login email / username.
Environment	Select `Production`, `Sandbox`, or `Custom URL`.
Auth Flow	`Auth Code` — opens a browser for secure login (recommended). `Client Credentials` — machine-to-machine, no user interaction required.

Steps

Open the Application & Click "New Connection"

Launch SFDC File Exporter and click New Connection.

Select the "OAuth" Tab

Click the OAuth tab at the top of the New Connection form.

Enter Your Client ID and Client Secret

Paste the Consumer Key (Client ID) and Consumer Secret (Client Secret) from your Salesforce Connected App. Add your Username and select the Environment.

Choose Auth Flow

Select Auth Code to open a Salesforce browser login (most secure) or Client Credentials for fully automated, headless authentication.

Click "Save & Connect"

Click Save & Connect. For Auth Code flow, a browser window will open — log in and approve. The app then receives the token automatically and displays your org name on success.

Once connected successfully, SFDC File Exporter saves your connection so you don't have to re-enter credentials each time. You can save multiple org connections and switch between them from the connection screen.

Installation Settings