Auto-Export vs. Manual Export - What's the Difference?
PowerRadar gives you two ways to get your energy data out as a file. This article compares them so you can choose the right one for the job.
Written by Shir Goldstein
Updated at June 3rd, 2026
Table of Contents
The Two Tools
Auto-Export is a scheduled job that automatically delivers your data to a server you control - an HTTPS endpoint, SFTP folder, or FTPS folder - at a frequency you define. You set it up once and it runs without any ongoing action. → Export Jobs: Setup
Manual Export is an on-demand tool. You choose what you want, set a time range, start the export, and download the CSV when it's ready. → Manual Export
Comparison at a Glance
| Auto-Export | Manual Export | |
|---|---|---|
| How it runs | Scheduled, automatic | On demand - you start it |
| Where to find it | Account sidebar → Auto-Export | My Tools in the navigation bar |
| Output format | JSON or CSV | CSV only |
| Delivery | To your server (HTTPS, SFTP, or FTPS) | Download via browser |
| Data types | Catalog, Measurements, Pan-42 Measurements, Meters Measurements | Devices, Sites Total, Meters |
| Phase-level data | Included in Pan-42 Measurements exports | Selectable per device (L1, L2, L3) |
| Time range | Determined by run frequency | Up to 1 year, your choice |
| File retention | None - file lives in your infrastructure | 48 hours, then permanently deleted |
| Parallel exports | System queue; no per-user cap | 3 at a time per user |
| Max sites per run | All sites, or a specific selection | 250 |
| Max devices per run | All devices for selected sites | 250 |
| Access required | Account-level + EXPORTER permission | Any user with site access |
| Setup effort | One-time setup; runs automatically | Configured fresh each time |
Note: Both support meter data (flow, volume, state, energy, power, cost). The only difference is whether you want it on a schedule or on demand.
Choosing the Right Tool
Use Auto-Export when:
- You need data delivered to an external system on a recurring basis (BI tool, ERP, data pipeline).
- You need Catalog (metadata) exports - Manual Export does not support this.
- You need JSON format or direct delivery to your own server.
Use Manual Export when:
- You need a one-off data pull for a specific date range.
- You need data from a window a scheduled export has already passed.
- You want per-phase readings for individual circuit phases (L1, L2, L3).
- You don't have server infrastructure to receive scheduled file deliveries.
Note: Auto-Export lives in the Account Dashboard. If you have site-level access only, you may not see it in your sidebar - contact your account administrator.