![still — export complete / download started](https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/traffic-chart-tutorials/helpcenter/en/traffic-plans/export/05-export-complete.png)

![still — map pages, materials list, PDF/Excel toggles](https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/traffic-chart-tutorials/helpcenter/en/traffic-plans/export/02b-include-options.png)

<video controls playsinline src="https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/traffic-chart-tutorials/helpcenter/en/traffic-plans/export/07-full-export.mp4"></video>

*motion — signs → Export → Detail → paper → Export now → complete*

When the drawing is ready, you either share a live link or produce files. This page is the traffic plan path. Event plans use a different exporter — [Export an event plan](/hc/test/articles/export-event-plan).

Use this when a municipality wants a URL, or when someone asked for PDF or Excel. Skip it while you are still placing signs.

## Sharable link (recommended) vs Export files

Click **Export** in the editor header. The screen is **How would you like to export your map?**

![How would you like to export your map? Sharable link recommended versus Export files](https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/traffic-chart-tutorials/helpcenter/en/traffic-plans/export/01-export-choice.png)

**Sharable link** is marked **RECOMMENDED**. Copy it with **Copy** (**Link copied to clipboard**). Benefits in that panel: **Accepted by most municipalities**, **Fastest way to get a permit**, **Also saves some trees**.

The link is the same public URL as **Copy link** on **Plans**. It stays current after you save. How it behaves: [Share a plan and read-only view](/hc/test/articles/share-link-and-read-only).

**Export files** is the file path. On-screen warning: **Only recommended when a municipality or 3rd party explicitly asks for this.**

In that column you can toggle:

- **Include map**
- **Include materials list** — then **PDF** and/or **Excel**
- **Include post orders** (when the catalogue has post signs)

The main button is **Export map** if you included a map (or Excel, which needs an export rectangle). Otherwise it is **Export files**.

**Excel** shows a **Pro** badge when you cannot use it (**This is a pro feature.**). You also need to be logged in with a saved plan (**Log in and save the plan before exporting Excel.**).

## Draw export maps

An export map is a rectangle on the basemap. Each one becomes a PDF page. The sidebar accessible name is **Traffic plan export maps**. The heading is **Export maps**.

![Detail export rectangle on the map (Map 1)](https://hel1.your-objectstorage.com/traffic-chart-tutorials/helpcenter/en/traffic-plans/export/03-export-area-drawn.png)

| Type | Role |
|------|------|
| **Detail** | Standard page. Size is limited so signs stay readable |
| **XL** | Larger coverage. **XL maps require a PRO account.** |

### Steps

1. Save, or wait for **Auto-save: saved**.
2. **Export** → set **Include map** (and materials / post orders if you need them) → **Export map**.
3. The **Export maps** sidebar opens (**Traffic plan export maps**). Empty state: **No export maps yet.** **Use Draw new map below to add a Detail or XL map.** **Start below** points at **Draw new map**. In read-only export: **No export maps have been added to this plan.**
4. Under **Draw new map**, click **Detail** or **XL**.
5. Drag a rectangle over the area you need on paper.
6. Select **Map 1** (and later maps). Set **Paper size** and **Change orientation**. Until paper is chosen the row shows **No paper size**.
7. Confirm **Map pages**, **Materials list**, and **Post instructions**.
8. If **Materials list** is on, choose **Materials PDF** and/or **Materials Excel**.
9. Click **Export now** (while it runs: **Exporting...**). Keep the tab open. Open the download and check every page.

You need **at least one export map** before PDF export is enabled (**Add at least one export map to enable export.**).

If a **Detail** rectangle hits its limit: **This detail map has reached its maximum size. Switch it to XL map if you want to export a larger map.** Changing **Scale:** can reset **Detail** maps — confirm **Confirm scale change** only if you accept redrawing them.

**Close export mode** returns you to the editor. While the file is handed to the browser: **Starting download** / **The PDF is ready. Your browser is starting the download now.** After a successful file: **Download started** / **Your export is ready and the PDF download has started.** / **Your download has started.** **Back to export maps** if you need another run.

## Paper size and orientation

Each export map has its own **Paper size** (A4, A3, and other series in the list) and orientation.

Match what your municipality or printer expects (for example A3 landscape). **XL** still needs a paper size — content scales to that page. It is not infinite paper.

**Remove export map** deletes that rectangle.

## XL maps (Pro)

Use **Detail** for junctions that must stay sharp. Use **XL** for a larger overview. Without Pro, **XL** stays disabled with a **Pro** badge and **XL maps require a PRO account.** Paying for unlimited signs on the plan does not by itself unlock **XL**.

## PDF preview

**PDF preview** (right side of the map) shows paper-relative sizing while you edit, with **Off** / **On**. It appears when your account can use XL maps.

1. Turn **PDF preview** **On**.
2. If you have no XL map yet, **Draw preview map**, pick **Paper size**, then **Draw XL map**.
3. Choose an existing map from **Select XL map**, or **Detail mode** to leave the selector empty.
4. **Lock preview map** before selecting some objects (**Lock the preview map to select this object.**). **Unlock preview map** when you need to move the rectangle.
5. Adjust placements for readability at paper scale.
6. Turn preview **Off**, then run a real **Export now**.

**Scale cannot be changed while PDF preview is on.** Preview is not a substitute for checking the downloaded PDF.

Toast after creating a map: **XL map created. Unlock the preview map to move or resize it.**

The chip, **Select XL map**, **Draw XL map**, and **Lock preview map**: [PDF preview](/hc/test/articles/pdf-preview).

## Materials list

**Materials list** is the packing list: types and **Qty**, plus **Stacked signs** as a mounting overview (those plates are already in the totals).

1. Enable **Include materials list** on the export choice, or **Materials list** in the export sidebar.
2. Choose **PDF** / **Materials PDF** and, if you have access, **Excel** / **Materials Excel**.
3. Export and check the extra PDF pages (and the spreadsheet).

Excel description: **Download the materials list as an Excel file with a total tab and one tab per drawing.** Unsaved changes are saved first. Excel needs at least one export map (**Create an export map first.**).

Combination signs appear under the **Name** you set on the board. Bulk lines show as bulk quantities. Packing-list columns, Excel, and post-order cards: [Materials list and post orders](/hc/test/articles/materials-and-post-orders).

## Post orders

**Post orders** are instructions for traffic controllers.

1. Open **Posts** (**Manage traffic controllers and their orders per post.**).
2. Place a post item from **Post items** if the country has them (**No post signs available for this country.** otherwise).
3. Select a post: **Post name (label)**, **Orders**. **Move post up** / **Move post down**, **Go to post**, **Google Maps**.
4. Save.
5. On export, enable **Include post orders** (choice screen) or **Post instructions** (sidebar).

Fill instructions before the crew PDF goes out.

## Export maps sidebar — every label

These are the English strings on **Export maps** (plus **Export now**, which sits with the area tools).

| Label | When you see it |
|-------|-----------------|
| **Traffic plan export maps** | Accessible name of the sidebar |
| **Export maps** | Sidebar heading |
| **Close export mode** | Leaves export mode |
| **No export maps yet.** | Empty list (title and short empty line) |
| **Use Draw new map below to add a Detail or XL map.** | Empty list when you can edit |
| **No export maps have been added to this plan.** | Empty list in read-only |
| **Start below** | Arrow hint under the empty state |
| **Add at least one export map to enable export.** | **Export now** is disabled |
| **Map 1**, **Map 2**, … | One row per rectangle |
| **Detail** | Standard export map, and the **Draw new map** button for that type |
| **XL** | Large export map, and the **Draw new map** button for that type |
| **No paper size** | The row has no **Paper size** yet |
| **Change orientation** | Portrait / landscape |
| **Remove export map** | Deletes that rectangle |
| **Draw new map** | Add **Detail** or **XL** |
| **XL maps require a PRO account.** | **XL** is locked |
| **Map pages** | Include the map PDF pages |
| **Materials list** | Include the packing list |
| **Post instructions** | Include traffic-controller pages |
| **Export now** | Builds the file (**Exporting...** while it runs) |
| **Download started** | Success heading |
| **Your export is ready and the PDF download has started.** | Success body |
| **Starting download** | Browser is taking the file |
| **The PDF is ready. Your browser is starting the download now.** | Starting-download body |
| **Back to export maps** | Dismiss the complete state |
| **How did the export go?** | Feedback heading |
| **Share what worked well or what should be improved.** | Feedback body |
| **Feedback sent** | After you send |
| **Thanks for the feedback. We use this to keep improving PDF exports.** | Thanks body |
| **Log in to send export feedback.** | Guest cannot send |
| **This detail map has reached its maximum size. Switch it to XL map if you want to export a larger map.** | **Detail** rectangle is at its limit |

## Export status — every label

The progress panel title is **Export traffic plan**.

Headings:

| Heading | When |
|---------|------|
| **Creating export** | The run has started |
| **Finishing export** | Pages are done; the file is wrapping up |
| **Starting download** | The browser is taking the file |
| **Download ready** | The file is ready |
| **Export failed** | The run stopped |
| **Adding materials list** | Materials PDF pages |
| **Creating Excel** | Materials spreadsheet |
| **Adding post instructions** | Post-order pages |

Messages:

- **Your download has started.**
- **Something went wrong while creating your export.**

Warnings (full text):

- **This is taking longer than usual. A slow network connection can delay map tiles and layers. Please keep this window open while the export finishes.**
- **Some map layers took longer than expected to load. The export may be incomplete; please check the PDF before using it.**

Row labels (a page is **Page 1**, **Page 2**, …):

| Row | Meaning |
|-----|---------|
| **Export maps** | Map pages in the job |
| **Materials list** | Materials PDF |
| **Materials list Excel** | Spreadsheet |
| **Post instructions** | Controller pages |
| **Queued** | Not started yet |
| **Finished** | That row is done |
| **Failed** | That row failed |
| **Preparing your document** | Opening the PDF |
| **Preparing this page** | That page has started |
| **Sizing the page** | Paper size |
| **Positioning the map** | Rectangle on the map |
| **Scaling signs and drawings** | Signs at paper size |
| **Waiting for map layers** | Tiles and overlays |
| **Preparing bulk signs** | Bulk lines |
| **Capturing the page image** | Screenshot |
| **Placing the page image** | Image onto the PDF |
| **Adding the page header** | Header |
| **Adding the scale and labels** | Scale bar |
| **Saving this page** | Footer / page write |
| **Finalizing this export** | Closing the file |
| **Building the materials list** | Materials PDF work |
| **Creating the Excel file** | Spreadsheet work |
| **Building the post instructions** | Post-order work |

## When PDF fails

Leave the tab open if you see **This is taking longer than usual. A slow network connection can delay map tiles and layers. Please keep this window open while the export finishes.** Check the file if **Some map layers took longer than expected to load. The export may be incomplete; please check the PDF before using it.**

After a failure, **Export Feedback** may appear. Stay logged in if asked (**Log in to send export feedback.**), describe blank pages or stuck progress, and **Send feedback**. You can also use **How did the export go?** after a successful run. After send: **Feedback sent** / **Thanks for the feedback. We use this to keep improving PDF exports.**

See [Export fails or is blank](/hc/test/articles/export-fails).

## What good looks like

Municipalities who can work from a URL have **Sharable link**. File packs have a **Detail** page per junction, optional **XL** overview, materials pages that match the map, and post orders the crew can follow. You opened the PDF before you sent it.

## If something blocks you

| Situation | Where to go |
|-----------|-------------|
| Blank or stuck PDF | [Export fails or is blank](/hc/test/articles/export-fails) |
| **XL** or **Excel** locked | [Feature not available for my account](/hc/test/articles/feature-not-available) |
| Cannot draw rectangles | Read-only or review lock — [I can’t open or edit a plan](/hc/test/articles/cannot-edit-plan) |

## Related articles

- [Create, organise, and share traffic plans](/hc/test/articles/create-organise-and-share)
- [Tour of the traffic plan editor](/hc/test/articles/editor-tour)
- [Working with signs](/hc/test/articles/working-with-signs)
- [Drawing and measuring](/hc/test/articles/drawing-and-measuring)
- [Materials list and post orders](/hc/test/articles/materials-and-post-orders)
- [PDF preview](/hc/test/articles/pdf-preview)
- [Share a plan and read-only view](/hc/test/articles/share-link-and-read-only)
- [Export fails or is blank](/hc/test/articles/export-fails)