Import/Export overview

Import/Export provides an efficient and streamlined ability to import raw data files, document load files, image load files, production files, RDO files, as well as to export folders and subfolders, production sets, saved searches, and RDO files. It is the recommended method for importing and exporting data for RelativityOne.

Import Export overview diagram

You can use Import/Export with or without activating Express Transfer, however, we recommend activating Express Transfer. For more information on Express Transfer, see Express Transfer overview and review the section below on considerations when to use and not use Express Transfer.

  • For customers whose file shares haven’t 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 checklist

Ready to get up-to-speed with Import/Export? Learn more about the functionality, how to get it installed in your instance of RelativityOne, and workflow specifics with the resources listed below.

Overview Sessions:

Take a deeper dive by watching our recorded Import/Export Foundations: Comprehensive Overview webinar, in addition to other Import/Export self-paced webinars on the Relativity Learning site under Data Ingestion & Management.

Before you can start working with Import/Export, you will have to set things up in your RelativityOne instance:

  1. Reach out to your IT Department and ensure TCP port 443 is open to transfer data in RelativityOne with Express Transfer.
  2. Install Import/Export from the Relativity Application Library.
  3. 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 with Import/Export.
  4. Ensure that users have the proper permissions.
    5. As of February 2025, the new Feature Permissions redefines Relativity's security management by shifting the focus from Object Types and Tab Visibility to feature-based permissions. This new method is simply another option; any feature-specific permissions information already in this topic is still applicable. This new 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.

Now that Import/Export is set up, you are ready to perform these workflows and benchmark your speeds:

Have questions?

Available import and export workflows

The following workflows can be performed using Import/Export.

Import/Export transfer modes

There are two methods available to transfer data using Import/Export. Refer to the next section for considerations 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

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

  • data file size is greater than 20GB, 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 20GB.
  • 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. Formats supported: 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 20GB 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're 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.