Import/Export overview

Import/Export is the recommended method for bringing data into and sending data out of RelativityOne. With this tool, you can import raw data files, document load files, image load files, production files, RDO files. You can also export folders and subfolders, production sets, saved searches, and RDO files.

Import Export overview diagram

Import/Export works with or without Express Transfer, however, activating Express Transfer is recommended. For more information, see Express Transfer overview and review the Considerations section when to use and not use Express Transfer.

For customers whose file shares have not been fully migrated to ADLS yet, Import/Export offers a solution where the import process utilizes the primary file share to store the uploaded data. See the Community article Import/Export uses ADLS if one is present on the tenant for details.
After documents are imported using Import/Export, you can automate creating a dtSearch index or run a search terms report with those documents using Automated Workflows.

Getting started with Import/Export

Complete the following steps before you start working with Import/Export:

Contact your IT Department to ensure TCP port 443 is open to transfer data in RelativityOne with Express Transfer.
Install Import/Export from the Relativity Application Library.
Open Import/Export and install Express Transfer for larger data transfers and to streamline structured data loads. Only complete this step if your organization intends to use Express Transfer.
Ensure that users have the proper permissions.
Feature Permissions provide an alternative to Relativity's security management by shifting the focus from Object Types and Tab Visibility to feature-based permissions. This method is simply another option; any feature-specific permissions information already in this and other topics is still applicable. The Feature Permissions interface enables administrators to manage permissions at the feature level, offering a more intuitive experience. By viewing granular permissions associated with each feature, administrators can ensure comprehensive control, ultimately reducing complexity and minimizing errors. For details see Instance-level permissions and Workspace-level permissions.

After Import/Export is set up, you can:

Import data, both structured and unstructured
Export folders, RDO data, productions and saved searches
Import and export data using Express Transfer with Import/Export
View the Job History

Have questions?

Submit a ticket to Customer Support for workflow assistance.
Visit our What’s New page, Relativity Documentation or our Community Site.
Contact Relativity Customer Support.
Learn more by watching our recorded Import/Export Foundations: Comprehensive Overview webinar, as well as other Import/Export self-paced webinars on the Relativity Learning site under Data Ingestion & Management.

Import and export workflows

The following workflows can be performed using Import/Export.

Import workflows:

Unstructured Data —Unprocessed/unstructured files and transcript MDB data that require processing
- Raw (Unprocessed) data workflow with Processing
- Transcript MDB data for Processing
Structured (Processed) Data—Structured data includes natives, text, image, and PDF files, and load files containing metadata.
- Document load file import
- Image load file import
- Production load file import
- Relativity Dynamic Object load file import
- Access DB load file import (MDB) (for Asia-Pacific region only)

Export workflows:

Folder export
Production set export
Saved Search export
RDO export
Saved Search or folder Access DB export (MDB) (for Asia-Pacific region only)
Production set with Access DB export (MDB) (for Asia-Pacific region only)

Import/Export transfer modes

There are two methods available to transfer data using Import/Export. Refer to the Considerations section when to use each one.

Import/Export with Express Transfer
This refers to activating Express Transfer within Import/Export to transfer data into and out of RelativityOne. This mode is the recommended method for data transfer. Express Transfer is a separately installed desktop application that sits outside of the RelativityOne browser software and handles the data transfer process. See Express Transfer overview and Installing Express Transfer for more information.
Import/Export only
This refers to only using the Import/Export browser application within the RelativityOne software to import and export data without Express Transfer activated. This mode is sometimes referred to as web mode or web only mode. See Installing Import/Export. Even if the Express Transfer application is installed on the desktop, it must not be activated when using web mode.

Considerations when to use and not use Express Transfer with Import/Export

Use Import/Export with Express Transfer activated whenever possible for all importing and exporting workflows, and particularly when:

data file size is greater than 20 GB, although Express Transfer can be used for any size data transfer.
processing multiple import jobs. The jobs will be queued and executed when the previous job is complete.
slow or unstable network connection. Express Transfers enables you to retry the upload.

Use Import/Export without activating Express Transfer when:

your company policy prohibits installing desktop applications.
your network configuration does not allow third party applications to send or receive data, such as proxy settings.
data file size is less than 20 GB.
data is in ZIP files.

You need to use Express Transfer to upload and process encrypted materials, such as password-protected zip files or Case files (L01/N01) that require Password Bank functionality. If you cannot use Express Transfer for such imports, zip your encrypted materials in a single unencrypted ZIP container. The 20 GB limit for the zip file size applies. Import/Export will transfer and extract the top-level zip file, preparing your encrypted materials for Processing. Then, Processing will utilize Password Bank to decrypt materials.

Supported file types

Import/Export supports the following file types. Refer to Import/Export load file specifications for more information regarding load files. Also see General recommendations for structured data import and export jobs.

ZIP and PST files—for transferring data to the server-side.
Native files for processing—see the list of supported file types for processing.
Document Load File import—.dat, .csv and .txt load files.
Image Load File import—Opticon-formatted page-level files. Supported formats: single page TIFF (Group IV) files, single page JPG files, and single and multiple PDF files.
Access DB load file import—.mdb or .accdb. For more information, see Access DB (MDB) load file specifications.

RelativityOne allows users to restrict given file types from being imported into their instances with the RestrictedFileTypes instance setting. Import/Export reads and applies this instance setting when importing materials into RelativityOne, therefore, all file types listed as restricted file types will be skipped.

Data upload size limitation

When Express Transfer is activated for use with Import/Export, there is no data upload limit. See Express Transfer overview and Activating Express Transfer for more information. When Express Transfer is not activated for use with Import/Export, the application accepts single .zip or .pst containers or a single structured import data set load file up to 20 GB for a single import.

Concurrent and consecutive jobs

The concurrent or consecutive nature of a job depends on what stage the job is at, which data transfer mode you are using:—web only or Express Transfer, and what type of job you're running—Processing, Import, or Export. For more information, see the Community article Import/Export Concurrent and Consecutive Jobs.