# 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](/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-types.md) to see what an asset supports.
{% endhint %}

#### What to check before downloading

Visit the [Data asset page](/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-page.md) 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](/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/in-app-analysis.md) 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="/files/Lc5y2ToR4jYhblytRFpY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Scroll down the filter pane

<figure><img src="/files/4bvhC6PEf3mJck6hdLKV" 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="/files/k9o7MwRGwDleVpSaCpil" 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](/data-midsouth-portal/features/data-asset-page.md)

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="/files/adPMoIwf7SiPJy81MEwC" 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 [In-app analysis](/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/in-app-analysis.md#optional-filter-pane).
{% 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](/data-midsouth-portal/advanced-features/api.md) when an asset provides it.


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