What is Lotus Notes?

Lotus Notes, now known as HCL Notes, is a proprietary collaborative software platform initially developed by Lotus Development Corporation in 1989. Following the acquisition of Lotus by IBM in 1995, Lotus Notes became part of the IBM portfolio. HCL Technologies acquired the software from IBM in July 2019, and it has since been managed by HCL Software. Lotus Notes is a client/server database environment that supports email, calendaring, instant messaging, and various business applications. It runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Unix (AIX and IBM i), Linux, and macOS.

The platform is known for its robust security features, distributed document-oriented NoSQL databases, and the ability to scale to tens of thousands of users per server. Lotus Notes provides a versatile development environment with its server component, HCL Domino, and the client application, known simply as Notes. Users can extend the functionality of Lotus Notes through third-party software and use tools like the Notes System Diagnostic (NSD) to gather system information.

Exporting Lotus Notes to a CSV File

Using the Native Method

To export a Notes view to a CSV file using the native method in Lotus Notes, begin by selecting the documents you wish to export from the view. Then, navigate to the menu and click File > Export. In the dialog that appears, type in your desired file name along with the ".csv" extension in the File name field, or select an existing file to be replaced by the exported data. Ensure that the Save as type is set to ".csv". You will then need to specify which documents to include in the export by choosing either All documents or Selected documents. If you want the view titles to appear in the CSV file, check the box labeled Include View titles. Next, select the appropriate Export character set for your data. To finalize the export process, click OK.

Using a Third-Party Tool

When the native method's limitations are a concern, particularly regarding data loss and the inability to perform bulk migrations, a third-party tool is recommended for exporting Lotus Notes to a CSV file. These tools can safely export Lotus Notes databases without data loss and offer the flexibility to export to additional formats such as MSG, EML, HTML, PDF, TXT, and MBOX. They are also capable of exporting Lotus Notes contacts and names to vCard formats. While specific steps may vary depending on the tool chosen, generally, you will need to run the third-party software, select the Lotus Notes database files, specify CSV as the export format, and proceed with the tool's instructions to complete the export process.

Streamline Your Workflow with Sourcetable

Discover the efficiency of integrating Lotus Notes directly into your spreadsheet workflows with Sourcetable. Unlike the traditional method of exporting data to CSV and then importing it into another spreadsheet program, Sourcetable offers a seamless synchronization with your live data from Lotus Notes. This direct integration not only saves time but also reduces the possibility of errors that can occur during the export and import process.

With Sourcetable, your data management becomes effortless, allowing you to automatically pull in data from Lotus Notes alongside multiple other sources into one unified interface. The familiar spreadsheet functionality enhanced by Sourcetable's powerful querying capabilities elevates your automation and business intelligence, ensuring that the most up-to-date information is always at your fingertips. Choose Sourcetable for a smarter, more integrated approach to handling your Lotus Notes data.

Common Use Cases

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  Use case 1: Exporting all documents from a Lotus Notes database to a CSV file for backup or archival purposes using the EXPORT_StartScheduled agent.
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  Use case 2: Running a manual export on selected Lotus Notes documents to CSV for data analysis or reporting with the EXPORT_CallExportOnClient functionality.
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  Use case 3: Scheduling regular exports of Lotus Notes data to CSV to ensure up-to-date information is available for external systems or integration.
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  Use case 4: Using the EXPORT_createExportDocuments function to generate a CSV file with custom headers based on specific fields mapped through CSV_MAPPING.
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  Use case 5: Migrating data from Lotus Notes to other platforms or databases that require CSV file format using third-party NSF Converter Software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export data directly to a CSV file from an open Lotus Notes document?

No, you cannot export data to CSV from an open document.

Will exporting documents from a view in Lotus Notes to a CSV file remove them from the view?

No, when you export from a view, the documents will not be removed from the view.

What happens to the data when I export from Lotus Notes to a CSV file?

The data is copied into a new file when you export to CSV.

Can I use Lotus Notes to export data to CSV without third-party tools?

Yes, you can export IBM® Notes® view data to a CSV file using Lotus Notes itself.

What is the recommended method for converting Lotus Notes data to a CSV file?

The best way to convert Lotus Notes to CSV is using a third-party tool, such as the NSF Converter Software.