Export Data from MongoDB

Exporting data from MongoDB is a common requirement for sharing data with external applications or performing data analysis using different tools. MongoDB provides a command-line tool called mongoexport to facilitate this process.

In this article, We will learn about How to Export data from MongoDB with the help of various examples and so on.

Exporting Data Using mongoexport

• MongoDB allows us to export its data into other file formats like JSON or CSV so that the data can be used externally by other applications.
  
• So, to export data from the MongoDB database, MongoDB provides a command-line tool known as mongoexport.
  
• Using this tool we can export data of a collection in JSON or CSV(comma-separated value) format.
  
• We can also use features like limit and sort on a collection while exporting the data.

Note: mongoexport does not run in the mongo shell. So, when we use mongoexport tool we have to exit from the Mongo shell.

Exporting data from MongoDB is essential for data backup and migration.

Syntax:

For exporting data in JSON format

mongoexport --db database_name --collection collection_name --out path_or_name_of_the_file

For exporting data in CSV format

mongoexport --db database_name --collection collection_name --type=csv --fields fields_names --out path_or_name_of_the_file

Important Points: 

• Here, the out command specifies the directory and the file in which the exported data is to be stored. In case we don't use --out the file gets created at path where we are at the time of running cmd.
  
• If the specified file is not created then mongoexport tool will automatically create a file and store data in it.
  
• If the mongoexport tool is not present in your system then you can install it from here.
  
• The mongoexport tool also provides options. Some of the commonly used options are:

Examples of How to Export Data from MongoDB

In the following examples, we are working with:

Database: GeeksforGeeks

Collection: students

Documents: five documents that contain the details of the students in the form of field-value pairs.

Output:

👁 Image

Example 1: Exporting the whole collection in JSON format

In this example, we are going to export all the documents present in the student collection to a JSON file(named as exportstudents.json) using mongoexport tool.

mongoexport --db GeeksForGeeks --collection students --out C:\Users\Darksider\exportstudents.json 

So, here we export all the 5 documents present in the student collection to a JSON file.

Output:

👁 Image

Example 2: Exporting Only 2 Records using Limit

In this example, we are going to export only 2 documents from the student collection to a JSON file(named as studentslim.json) using mongoexport tool.

mongoexport --db GeeksForGeeks --collection students --limit 2 --out C:\Users\Darksider\studentslim.json

So, here we only export 2 documents from the student collection by setting up the value of --limit to 2.

Output:

👁 Image

Example 3: Exporting the Whole Collection in CSV Format

In this example, we are going to export all the documents present in the student collection to a CSV file(named as students.csv) using mongoexport tool.

mongoexport --db GeeksForGeeks --collection students --type=csv --fields name,age --out C:\Users\Darksider\students.csv

Output:

Conclusion

Exporting data from MongoDB using the mongoexport tool is a straightforward process that can be customized with various options to fit specific requirements. Whether you need JSON or CSV formats, mongoexport provides the flexibility to export data efficiently, making it accessible for use in other applications or for further analysis.