---
title: Export the database to Bacpac file
slug: dxp/cms12-docs/export-the-database-to-bacpac-file
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-06-01T17:39:49.858Z
---

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**Prerequisite**

- An Optimizely cloud account to access the self-services for Optimizely DXP. See [Creating an Optimizely Cloud Account](docId\:X-MjgQs-93BregnBOiaQI).
- A provisioned project on DXP.
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You can export the Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) or Optimizely Commerce (PaaS) database to a *bacpac* file using the API or the DXP Management Portal.

When you export a database, it triggers an export job for the requested database. The export job copies the requested database from the requested environment to a database in the Integration environment to avoid performance issues in the production environment when the export runs. After this, it exports to a `bacpac` file from the copied database, and stores the `bacpac` on BLOB storage.

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**Note**
The Export Database process can take from a few hours to several days (in extreme cases). You can export only one database at a time.
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1. Select your project on the home page.
2. On the project detail page, open the **Troubleshoot** tab.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/0pVAec69-1576XbRVv6Yf_9a36f07-troubleshoot-tab.png)

3. Scroll to the Export Database section, select an **Environment**, **Database**, and **Retention Hours**, then click **Export**.

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**Note**
**Retention hours** specify how long the export is available before it is removed.
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4. A confirmation dialog box displays. Click **OK** to start the export database progress. The progress result displays in real-time, and the export database file shows when the export database progress finishes.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/OR5uqqNQB_-KSd2XjJdBb_7031bc3-dxp-export-database-ui-5.png)

:::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"}
**Available Database Files** –  If available, click a database file link to download the database file to your local machine.
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**Note**
You can download the exported database file only when is not expired.
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:::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"}
**Expired Database Files** –  Click **Show/Hide** to display or hide exported files that have expired within the last seven days.
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