How to export from your existing CRM

Last updated: May 23, 2026

If you're migrating to Lightfield from another CRM, the first step is getting your data out as a CSV. This guide covers how to export from the most common CRMs. Once you have the CSV, follow How to import data from your existing CRM using CSV to bring it into Lightfield.

What to export

Export three separate CSVs from your existing CRM, one per record type:

  1. Accounts (sometimes called Companies or Organizations)

  2. Contacts (sometimes called People)

  3. Opportunities (sometimes called Deals)

Keep them as three separate files. Lightfield imports them in that order so accounts get created first, then contacts get linked to accounts, then opportunities get linked to both.

Before you export: make sure your accounts CSV has a domain or website column and your contacts CSV has an email column. These are how Lightfield deduplicates and links records on import.

HubSpot

HubSpot exports each object type separately. You'll export three times - once for contacts, once for companies, once for deals. Each export emails you a download link when ready.

Export contacts

  1. Go to CRM / Contacts

  2. Make sure you're on the All contacts tab to export everything

  3. Click Table actions in the upper right / Export view

  4. Select CSV as the file format

  5. Choose Include all properties (or pick specific properties if you want to keep the file smaller)

  6. Click Export - HubSpot emails you a download link

Export companies (accounts)

  1. Go to CRM / Companies / All companies tab

  2. Table actions / Export view

  3. CSV format / Include all properties / Export

Export deals (opportunities)

  1. Go to CRM / Deals / All deals tab

  2. Table actions / Export view

  3. CSV format / Include all properties / Export

Tip: Download links expire after 30 days. Grab the files as soon as the email arrives.

Salesforce

Salesforce offers two paths. Use Data Export for a full migration, list view export for a quick subset.

Option 1 - Data Export (full migration)

  1. Click the gear icon in the top right / Setup

  2. In Quick Find, search for and open Data Export

  3. Click Export Now (or Schedule Export if you want recurring)

  4. Select the objects you need: Account, Contact, Opportunity (and any custom objects)

  5. Choose Include all data and click Start Export

  6. Salesforce emails you a link to a ZIP file containing one CSV per object

Option 2 - List view export (subset)

  1. Open the list view for Accounts, Contacts, or Opportunities

  2. Click the gear icon on the list view / Export

  3. Choose your export view (All Fields or Visible Columns) and CSV format

  4. The file downloads to your computer

Tip: Salesforce custom fields use API names (e.g. Account_Tier__c) rather than display names. When you map columns in Lightfield, the friendly name is usually clear from context.

Attio

Attio has two export paths. Use the workspace backup for a full migration, per-object export for a subset.

Option 1 - Workspace backup (full migration, admin only)

  1. Click your workspace name in the upper left / Workspace settings

  2. On the General tab, find Export Workspace data

  3. Click Start new export

  4. Attio generates a ZIP containing CSVs for Companies, People, Deals, Notes, Tasks, and more

  5. Download when ready

Option 2 - Per-object export

  1. Open the object you want (Companies, People, or Deals)

  2. Click Import / Export in the top right / Export CSV

  3. Optionally filter the view first to export a subset

  4. The file downloads to your computer

Pipedrive

Pipedrive exports each object type separately. For migrations, use the full Export data option rather than list view exports - it includes all fields and is more reliable for bulk data.

Full export (admin only)

  1. Click your account name in the top right / Tools and apps / Export data

  2. Choose the data type: Persons, Organizations, or Deals

  3. Select CSV as the format

  4. Click Export - the file appears in the Generated exports list

  5. Click the cloud icon under Available until to download

  6. Repeat for each data type

List view export (subset)

  1. Go to People, Organizations, or Deals

  2. Apply any filters if you want a subset

  3. Click the three-dot menu in the top right / Export filter results

  4. Select CSV / Export

Zoho CRM

  1. Click the Setup icon (gear, top right)

  2. Under Data Administration, click Export

  3. Click Start an Export

  4. Select the module: Accounts, Contacts, or Deals

  5. Choose All Fields (or use Choose Fields to pick specific ones)

  6. Click Export - the file downloads as a CSV (or ZIP if compressed)

  7. Repeat for each module

If you have more than 200,000 records in a single module: Zoho's per-export limit is 200,000 records. For larger datasets, use Setup / Data Administration / Data Backup instead, which exports your entire CRM as a ZIP. Data Backup is available twice per month on Enterprise plans.

If your CRM isn't listed

Almost every CRM supports CSV export. The general pattern:

  1. Find the export option - usually under Settings, Data Admin, or a three-dot menu on the list view

  2. Export each record type separately: companies / accounts, people / contacts, and deals / opportunities

  3. Make sure your accounts file has a domain or website column and your contacts file has an email column

  4. Save as CSV (not Excel)

If you can't find an export option, the CRM may have an API that supports data export, or their support team can run an export for you on request.

What to do next

Once you have your three CSVs, follow How to import data from your existing CRM using CSV to bring them into Lightfield. The import order matters: accounts first, then contacts, then opportunities.

For migrations with more than a few thousand records, or if your data needs significant cleanup before import, contact support@lightfield.app - we offer a managed import service for larger migrations.