How do I export my inventory for a backup?

Requires Basic

Quick answer

For a backup, export your inventory under Import & Export — ideally as JSON, since only this format contains all fields (including tags, custom_fields, cost and lifecycle data). The CSV export is an abridged view with twelve core columns for spreadsheets. Via the API, the export is easy to automate with cron. Note: the export covers the assets of your tenant only — no users, networks, or settings.

Prerequisites

Required role Logged-in user (typically an administrator or asset manager)

— Export is open to any logged-in user and always returns only the data of their own tenant.

Export is included in the Basic plan and has no volume limit.

Guide

GUI (web interface)

1. Open the “Import & Export” section. Select the section for Data (route /data) in the navigation.

2. Choose a format and export. Click “Export” and choose JSON (complete, for backups) or CSV (core columns, for Excel & similar tools). The file (assets.json or assets.csv) downloads.

   Screenshot pending import-export-backup-01 Export area with JSON/CSV format choice and download button

   The export area: JSON for full backups, CSV for spreadsheets.

3. Store it safely. Put the file in your backup storage — with the date in the filename, so different versions stay distinguishable.

API (curl)

The export is a simple GET — ideal for automated backups:

Full JSON backup

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  "https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/assets/export?fmt=json" \
  --output "assets-backup-$(date +%F).json"

CSV extract (core columns)

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  "https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/assets/export?fmt=csv" \
  --output "assets-$(date +%F).csv"

Optionally filterable by type and status (e.g. only active hardware):

Filtered export

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  "https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/assets/export?fmt=json&asset_type=hardware&status=active" \
  --output hardware-aktiv.json

Automate it via cron (daily at 02:00):

Example cron line

0 2 * * *  curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer inv_dein_token" \
  "https://demo.notory.io/api/v1/assets/export?fmt=json" \
  -o /backups/notory/assets-$(date +\%F).json

Possible errors: 401 (token missing/invalid), 422 (invalid fmt value — only json and csv are allowed).

What happens behind the scenes?

• JSON is complete, CSV is abridged: The JSON export contains every asset field (including custom_fields, tags, cost, depreciation, book value). The CSV export provides exactly twelve columns: id, asset_type, name, serial_number, manufacturer, model, status, location, department, purchase_date, warranty_expiry, data_classification.
• The recycle bin is excluded: Only active assets are exported — entries in the recycle bin (deleted_at set) are missing from the export.
• Assets only, your tenant only: The export backs up your tenant’s asset inventory. Users, roles, network data, certificates, or settings are not included. For tenant configuration (custom fields, categories), there’s a separate config bundle export in Administration.
• Restoring = a new import: You restore a backup via import. This creates new assets with new IDs — import doesn’t update existing entries (there’s no duplicate check). References from other modules to old asset IDs (e.g. risk assessments) then point nowhere.
• Sorting: Exports are sorted by asset name — handy for diffing between two backup snapshots.

Related topics

• How do I import and export data?
• Import & export via JSON
• Import assets from a CSV file
• Create & manage API tokens — tokens for automated backups