Documentation

Exporting

The Export function allows you to save permissions report data to files for archival, sharing, or further analysis. Access the Export dialog from the File menu or toolbar after generating a report.

Export File Formats

• XML - The native Permissions Reporter format. XML exports include all report data and can be imported back into Permissions Reporter for later viewing or comparison. Best for archival and data interchange.
• HTML - Creates a self-contained web page viewable in any browser. HTML exports support a collapsible tree view similar to the main interface. Best for sharing with stakeholders who don't have Permissions Reporter installed. Includes template support for customizing appearance.
• Excel - Creates an Excel workbook (.xlsx) with separate worksheets for each report type. Data is streamed directly to file, enabling efficient export of large datasets. Best for analysis in spreadsheet applications.
• PDF - Creates a portable document suitable for printing and formal distribution. Best for reports that need to be archived or shared as read-only documents.
• CSV - Creates comma-separated text files that can be consumed by many third-party tools and scripts. Includes folder report data only (one file). Best for integration with external systems.

Important: HTML, Excel, PDF, and CSV exports do not include data hidden by View Filtering. Disable view filters before exporting if you need complete data.

Choosing an Export Format

For archival and reimporting: Use XML. It preserves all data and can be loaded back into Permissions Reporter for future analysis or comparison.

For sharing with non-technical users: Use HTML with the collapsible tree view, or PDF for formal reports.

For data analysis: Use Excel for spreadsheet manipulation or CSV for scripting and automation.

For large datasets: XML and Excel handle large exports well due to streaming output. HTML and PDF can consume significant memory with large datasets.

Report Data Selection

The Report Data section controls which reports are included in the export:

• Include folder report data - Exports Folder Report data showing folder permissions.
  • Collapsible tree / Flat table (HTML only) - Choose between an interactive tree view or a flat table layout.
  • Include group members in table (HTML only) - Expands group memberships in the flat table view.
  • Include folder report metrics - Adds summary statistics about the folder report.
• Include file report data - Exports File Permissions Report data.
  • Include differential permissions data - When enabled, includes detailed information about how file permissions differ from their parent folders. Requires "Track file inclusion details" to be enabled in File Report Settings.
  • Include overexposure data - Includes information about files flagged for granting access to broadly-scoped groups.
  • Include file report metrics - Adds summary statistics about the file report.
• Include file owner report data - Exports File Owners Report data.
• Include share report data - Exports Share Report data.
  • Include share report metrics - Adds summary statistics about share permissions.
• Include principals report - Creates a separate report section listing all security principals (users and groups) found during the scan, with optional details:
  • Group members - Expands group membership hierarchies.
  • Extended details - Includes additional Active Directory attributes (description, distinguished name, etc.).
  • Member of - Lists which groups each principal belongs to.
  • Statistics - Shows permission counts and access summaries per principal.
• Include event log data - Appends the application event log entries to the export. Useful for troubleshooting and audit trails.

Note: XML format automatically includes all report data regardless of checkbox selections.

Column Selection

The Column Selection section allows you to choose which data columns appear in the export. Expand each report type to select or deselect specific columns:

• Folder Report Columns - Path, account name, permission type, rights, inheritance flags, etc.
• File Report Columns - File path, account name, permissions, inclusion reason, etc.
• Share Report Columns - Share name, path, account name, share permissions, etc.
• Owner Report Columns - File path, owner account, ownership statistics, etc.

Column selection is not applicable to XML exports, which always include all available data.

General Options

• Separate CSV fields with semicolons - Uses semicolons instead of commas as the field delimiter. Useful in locales where commas are used as decimal separators.
• Prompt to open the resulting file when export is complete - Offers to open the exported file in its default application after the export finishes.

Saving and Loading Export Configurations

Use the Save Config and Load Config buttons to save and restore export settings, including report selections and column choices. Export configuration files (.prcfg) can be used with:

• The command line interface (/exportconfig parameter)
• Scheduled tasks (Use export config option)

This allows you to standardize export settings across automated and manual exports.

HTML Templates

Customize the appearance of HTML exports by editing the template files located in:

%ProgramData%\Key Metric Software\Permissions Reporter\Templates

• header.html - Content inserted at the beginning of the HTML document (e.g., company logo, custom header graphics).
• footer.html - Content inserted at the end of the HTML document.
• styles.css - CSS styles applied to the HTML export. Modify colors, fonts, and layout as needed.

Click Edit HTML templates in the export dialog (when HTML format is selected) to open the templates folder.