---
title: "Testing & Going Live with Document Exports"
slug: "testing-document-exports"
updated: 2026-03-23T16:35:14Z
published: 2026-03-23T16:35:14Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Testing & Going Live with Document Exports

Now that we’ve [built a document export query](/v1/docs/creating-a-document-export-query-with-configurable-joins) and [configured it to schedule exports](/v1/docs/scheduling-document-exports), we can **test the export process**.

Your options for testing document exports are:

- Run Query
- Run to SFTP

[![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/0ydynyto8egvrwptsgchjamceclip4.png)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/0ydynyto8egvrwptsgchjamceclip4.png)

> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Document export queries return *only new documents* each time the query is run.

## Run query

Select **Run Query** to see query results.

This option does ***not*** generate document files. This is very helpful in testing, providing a method of quickly returning a preview of the filename format, material settings, and records returned.

This is a great option while testing, because it runs quickly and uses fewer resources than a full document export.

## Run to SFTP

When the the query results return the correct information in the correct format, it's time to fully test the document export by manually testing the document creation process.

To test the document creation process:

1. Select **Run to SFTP.**
2. Enter `EXPORT` in the browser dialog. Files are exported to the Technolutions SFTP servers.

The two ways to access these files are:

- **SFTP Explorer**: View files and download them from the designated folder to your desktop in [Database → SFTP Explorer](/v1/docs/locating-sftp-files-sftp-folders).
- **Client that supports the SFTP protocol:** Set up a user account with the necessary credentials for the SFTP client to connect to the [Slate SFTP servers](/v1/docs/provisioning-sftp-user-access).

> [!TIP]
> ⭐ Best Practice
> 
> Consider setting a row limit (10, for example) or adding a **Test Tag** filter to the query when testing. It is often easier to test with a smaller population. Remember to reconfigure the query when ready to officially use the document export.

## Activating the document export

If satisfied with the results of testing and ready to activate, select **Edit Properties** on the query results page, then select **Delete Run** to remove the query result history.

[![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/test_document_export_screenshot1.png)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/8jbs5pnkt0yfwzr87u8riqmceclip5.png)

Since the initial query run was for testing purposes, removing the run allows these documents to be included in the query again, provided the documents still meet the filter criteria.