What format does TextKeep export messages to?

TextKeep supports multiple export formats, each optimized for different use cases. You can choose the format that best matches your needs when exporting conversations.

PDF Format

PDF exports create formatted documents that preserve the visual appearance of conversations. This format is ideal for archiving, sharing with others, or submitting in legal proceedings. PDFs are universally readable on any device without special software, maintain consistent formatting across platforms, and can include embedded attachments. However, PDFs are not easily searchable or machine-parseable compared to structured formats.

HTML Format

HTML exports generate web pages that can be opened in any browser. This format preserves formatting and threading while remaining searchable and interactive. HTML files can display embedded images and attachments inline, making them useful for personal archives where you want to browse conversations visually. You can also open HTML exports in text editors to access the underlying structure if needed.

Plain Text Format

Plain text exports strip away all formatting and produce simple text files containing message content, timestamps, and sender information. This format is ideal for maximum compatibility, text analysis or data processing, importing into other applications, or when file size is a concern. Plain text files are universally readable and can be opened on any device without specialized software.

CSV Format

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) exports structure message data in a spreadsheet-compatible format. Each message becomes a row with columns for timestamp, sender, recipient, message text, and metadata. This format is optimal for legal discovery and compliance requirements, data analysis using spreadsheet software or databases, bulk processing or filtering of messages, or integration with compliance archiving systems. CSV files can be opened in Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets, or database applications.

Choosing the Right Format

Consider your use case when selecting an export format. For personal archiving and sentimental preservation, PDF or HTML work best. For legal proceedings or compliance, CSV provides the structured data that legal teams and discovery platforms require. For data analysis or migration to other platforms, CSV or plain text offer maximum flexibility. You can also export the same conversation in multiple formats if you need different versions for different purposes.