Export and import

Export and import options

In addition to the ZIP import and export options available on the My timelines page, the timeline editing page includes tools for exporting and importing timeline data.

These options let you make copies, move information, reuse content or create timelines from previously prepared files.

Export CSV

The Export CSV option generates a CSV file containing the timeline’s structured data.

This format is useful when you want to review or work with events in a spreadsheet, keep a copy of the data or prepare a basis for future imports.

The exported CSV includes the information needed to represent events and periods, such as dates, titles, descriptions, tags and associated data.

The CSV does not physically contain images or attachments. Instead, it stores their paths or URLs, so those references can only be reused if the original files remain available and accessible.

For this reason, a CSV file is not intended to serve as a complete backup of the timeline.

If you also need to preserve the images, documents and other associated resources, use the Export ZIP option.

Export ZIP

The Export ZIP option generates a compressed file containing the timeline’s information and associated resources.

This is the most suitable format when you want to keep a more complete copy of the timeline or later move it to another environment compatible with TimeDivers.

The ZIP file may include the timeline data, its events and periods, associated files, images, cover image and other compatible resources.

You can then use that ZIP file in two ways:

• Import it from My timelines to create a new timeline.
• Import it from the editor to add its content to the timeline you are editing.

Import CSV

The Import CSV option lets you add events and periods to the timeline you are editing.

It is particularly useful for bulk imports, for preparing data in a spreadsheet beforehand or for generating an event structure with external tools, including artificial intelligence tools, and then adding it to TimeDivers.

The CSV must follow the format expected by TimeDivers. To make preparing the file easier, you can download an import template and use it as a basis.

In addition to importing event and period data, CSV import can add external images when the file includes their URLs. In that case, TimeDivers can download those images and save them as part of the timeline’s resources.

Before importing a CSV containing external images, check that the URLs are accessible and that you have sufficient rights to use those images in your timeline.

Import ZIP

The Import ZIP option lets you add content from a ZIP file previously exported from TimeDivers to the current timeline.

Unlike the ZIP import available under My timelines, this option does not create a new timeline. It adds the file’s content to the timeline you are editing.

Importing a ZIP from the editor is useful when you want to combine information from several timelines, recover content from a previous copy or add events, files and resources that have already been prepared.

Import limits

Imports are subject to the limits available for your account and for the timeline you are editing.

If the file contains more events, images or files than can be added, TimeDivers may prevent the complete import or display warnings about items that could not be added.

The limits may affect, among other things, the number of events, file sizes, available storage space and the downloading of external images during CSV imports.

Before carrying out a large import, check the file size, number of events and quantity of resources included.

Image optimization

During imports, TimeDivers may offer the option to optimize images before saving them.

Optimization reduces the file size of JPG and PNG images to help you manage the storage space available in your account more effectively and improve the timeline’s loading speed.

This option is particularly recommended when you import files containing many images or very large images.

If you need to preserve the images exactly as they were in the original file or at the external URL, leave optimization disabled.

Image usage rights

Before importing images, make sure you have the right to use them.

This is especially important for CSV imports containing external images, because TimeDivers can download and save images from the URLs included in the file.

When working with third-party images, check their origin, authorship and license, and retain the attribution information whenever required.

Importing an image into TimeDivers does not change its usage rights or automatically turn an external image into copyright-free material.