Exporting a Confluence Space on Data Center 8.5.18

Preparation Steps

1. Navigate to Advanced Space Functionality:

• Go to the Space Settings menu.
• Under Space Settings, locate and click on the Advanced Space Functionality tab.

2. Review Space Statistics:

• Within the Advanced Space Functionality tab, select Space Statistics.
• Enter the space name or space key to retrieve detailed metrics about the space size and content distribution.

3. Check for Large Attachments:

• Go to the Content Tools section of the space settings.
• Click on the Attachments tab.
• Identify pages or sections that have the most attachments or unusually large files. Note these areas for possible exclusion or focused export.

4. Plan for Large Spaces:

• For spaces exceeding 50GB, it’s recommended to split the export into manageable parts.
• To split an export, use the following URL format:

<BASE_URL>/spaces/exportspacexml.action?key=<SPACE_KEY>

• Replace <BASE_URL> with your Confluence instance URL.
• Replace <SPACE_KEY> with the specific key of the space you want to export.
• This method allows more control and flexibility during the export process.

5. Prepare for Splits:

• When splitting, decide on subsets of the space (e.g., by pages, sections, or attachments).
• Use the insights from Space Statistics and Attachments to define logical splits.

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Export Process

1. Access the Space Settings:

• Navigate to the space you wish to export.
• Click on the space name in the sidebar to open the space menu.
• Select Space Settings.

2. Initiate the Export:

• In Space Settings, go to the Content Tools tab.
• Click on the Export option.

3. Choose Export Format:

• Select the desired export format:
• XML: Suitable for importing into another Confluence instance.
• HTML: For viewing the space content in a web browser.
• PDF: To generate a PDF document of the space content.

4. Configure Export Options:

• Depending on the chosen format, you may have additional options:
• XML: Decide whether to include attachments.
• HTML/PDF: Choose to export all pages or a selection, and whether to include comments.

5. Perform the Export:

• After configuring the options, click on the Export button.
• Confluence will process the export. Once completed, a download link will be provided.

Important Considerations

1. Export Timeouts:

• If an export process times out, do not start a new one immediately. The original export must finish first to prevent conflicts.
• If the download of an export times out, it is likely due to a network issue, not a problem with the export file itself. Repeatedly creating new exports is unnecessary as the original file remains valid and can still be downloaded when the network issue is resolved.

2. Permissions:

• Ensure you have the necessary permissions to export the space. Typically, space administrators have this capability.

3. Export Size:

• Large spaces with numerous pages and attachments may result in sizable export files. Plan accordingly for storage and download time.

4. Compatibility:

• The XML export is ideal for importing into other Confluence instances, especially those of the same or compatible versions.

5. Performance Impact:

• Be aware that exporting large spaces can temporarily impact Confluence performance, so schedule exports during low-usage periods.