# Downloads & formats

Data Midsouth provides several options for downloading and exporting information available in the portal. 

{% hint style="info" %}
**Download options vary by asset type.** 

For more guidance, visit [data-asset-types](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types "mention") to see what an asset supports.
{% endhint %}

#### What to check before downloading

Visit the [data-asset-page](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-page "mention") and review the asset's metadata first. Confirm the update date, geography, and available formats. 

If you only need a quick summary, try [in-app-analysis](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/in-app-analysis "mention") before downloading a full file.

***

### Browse the catalog by download format

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Go to Data Catalog

Make sure all assets are available. 

<figure><img src="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FrAZ85Dtb6o6liFSxgNlh%2FCatalog%20Landing%20Page.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5432dc08-5138-4369-b6c3-43ef2e36fa37" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Scroll down the filter pane

<figure><img src="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FVn2Tklv0huajlgP2nBCh%2Finterface%20-%20filter%20pane.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=6b7f0e6b-7286-4bbc-b5cc-deb96099c6a2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Locate "Data Export Format"

Pick the format that matches the tool you plan to use next:

<figure><img src="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FoYSqlzFwpZRtillNVvO4%2Fdata%20export%20format.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=0a57132c-28a6-408e-9772-d8ad0bc0730b" alt="" width="131"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Choose **CSV** if you want the simplest table file.
* Choose **XLSX** if you live in spreadsheets.
* Choose **JSON** if you are pulling data into code.
* Choose **GeoJSON** if you need geometry in a web-friendly format.
* Choose **GeoPackage** or **Shapefile** for desktop GIS tools.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Explore assets from the results

The resulting data assets should be downloadable. For more guidance, follow the next set of instructions on how to download a dataset.&#x20;
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### Download a dataset

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the [data-asset-page](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-page "mention")

Start from the catalog and open the dataset you want.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose a download option

Use the asset page action buttons to download available data.&#x20;

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://1095412806-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fe1ApIrdBTGqD08Mi8Gpp%2Fuploads%2FHiEKvCyE6tLohvM606TW%2Fexport%20data%20buttons.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=f0e0eb8f-3070-436c-aac0-20fdb58fa219" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Depending on how large the dataset is, we recommend visiting "Explore data" first and filtering down your results.&#x20;

For more guidance on how, see [#optional-filter-pane](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/in-app-analysis#optional-filter-pane "mention").
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select the format

Pick the format that matches the tool you plan to use next:

* Choose **CSV** if you want the simplest table file.
* Choose **XLSX** if you live in spreadsheets.
* Choose **JSON** if you are pulling data into code.
* Choose **GeoJSON** if you need geometry in a web-friendly format.
* Choose **GeoPackage** or **Shapefile** for desktop GIS tools.
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

### Need repeat access?

If you plan to pull the same data regularly, use the [api](https://help.datamidsouth.org/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/api "mention") when an asset provides it.