2.21 features: --media, new gui menu, updated screenshots

Yudi
2020-07-18 18:58:17 -03:00
parent f71edf2079
commit a947b68ac3

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
# Getting started
Welcome to the getting started page!<br/>
Here you'll learn how to use every **DiscordChatExporter** (DCE for short) feature.<br/>
Welcome to the getting started page!<br>
Here you'll learn how to use every **DiscordChatExporter** (DCE for short) feature.<br>
For other things you can do with DCE, check out the [Guides](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki#guides) section.
If you still have unanswered questions after reading this page or if you have encountered a problem, please check our [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Troubleshooting) section.<br/>
If you still have unanswered questions after reading this page or if you have encountered a problem, please visit our [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Troubleshooting) section.<br>
> The information presented in this page is valid for **all** platforms.
@@ -22,15 +22,15 @@ If you still have unanswered questions after reading this page or if you have en
# GUI or CLI? ↴
![](https://i.imgur.com/n9RlhUY.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/j9OTxRB.png)
**DCE** has two different versions:
* **Graphical User Interface** (**GUI**) - it's the preferred version for newcomers as it provides ease of use.<br/>
You can get it by [downloading](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/releases/latest) the `DiscordChatExporter.zip` file.<br/><br/>
* **Command Line Interface** (**CLI**) - offers greater flexibility and more features for advanced users, such as export scheduling, ID lists, and more specific date ranges.<br/>
* **Graphical User Interface** (**GUI**) - it's the preferred version for newcomers as it provides ease of use.<br>
You can get it by [downloading](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/releases/latest) the `DiscordChatExporter.zip` file.<br><br>
* **Command Line Interface** (**CLI**) - offers greater flexibility and more features for advanced users, such as export scheduling, ID lists, and more specific date ranges.<br>
You can get it by [downloading](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/releases/latest) the `DiscordChatExporter.CLI.zip` file.
If you're not comfortable with **Windows'** Command Line (cmd), please choose the GUI.<br/>
[**macOS**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/macOS-usage-instructions), [**Linux**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Linux-usage-instructions) and [**Docker**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Docker-usage-instructions) users can only use the CLI version.<br/>
If you're not comfortable with **Windows'** Command Line (cmd), please choose the GUI.<br>
[**macOS**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/macOS-usage-instructions), [**Linux**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Linux-usage-instructions) and [**Docker**](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Docker-usage-instructions) users can only use the CLI version.<br>
**(Skip to [Using the CLI](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#using-the-cli-) or [File Formats](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#file-formats-))**
# Using the GUI ↴
@@ -43,36 +43,43 @@ Special thanks to [TroubleChute](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkih2oVTbXPEpV
### Text Guide ↴
**1.** After extracting the `.zip`, open `DiscordChatExporter.exe`
**2.** Please refer to the on-screen instructions to get your token, then paste your token in the upper text box and hit ENTER or click the arrow (→). <br/>
**2.** Please refer to the on-screen instructions to get your token, then paste your token in the upper text box and hit ENTER or click the arrow (→). <br>
**NEVER SHARE YOUR TOKEN**. A token gives <u>full access</u> to an account, treat it like a password.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/vqJSVrV.png" height="400" />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/SuLQ5tZ.png" height="400" />
**3.** DCE will display your Direct Messages and a sidebar with your server list. Select the channel you would like to export, then click the ![](https://i.imgur.com/dnTOlDa.png) button to continue.<br/>
> 💡 Tip: You can export multiple channels at once by holding `CTRL` or `SHIFT` while selecting.<br/>
> Double-click a channel to export it without needing to click the ![](https://i.imgur.com/dnTOlDa.png) button.
**3.** DCE will display your Direct Messages and a sidebar with your server list. Select the channel you would like to export, then click the ![](https://i.imgur.com/dnTOlDa.png) button to continue.<br>
> 💡 Tip: You can export multiple channels at once by holding `CTRL` or `SHIFT` while selecting.<br>
> You can also double-click a channel to export it without clicking the ![](https://i.imgur.com/dnTOlDa.png) button.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/w4PCVxK.png" height="400" />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/JHMFRh2.png" height="400" />
**4.** In this screen you can customize the following:
* **Export format** - HTML (Dark), HTML (Light), TXT, CSV and JSON
* **Date range (from/to)** (Optional) - Only exports messages sent in the provided date range. Only one value (from/to) is required if you want to use this option.
> Please notice that the time defaults to **12:00 AM** (midnight/00:00). This means that if you choose to export between Sep 17th and Sep 18th, messages from the 18th won't be exported.
Click the menu button (<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google/material-design-icons/master/navigation/2x_web/ic_menu_black_18dp.png" height="15"/>) to see more options:
* **Date range (from/to)** (Optional) - If set, only messages sent in the provided date range will be exported. Only one value (either from or to) is required if you want to use this option.
> Please note that the time defaults to **12:00 AM** (midnight/00:00). This means that if you choose to export between Sep 17th and Sep 18th, messages from the 18th won't be exported.
* **Partitioning** (Optional) - Splits files after a given number of messages. For example, a channel with 36 messages set to be partitioned every 10 messages will output 4 files.
* **Download media** (Optional) - If this option is set, the export will include additional files such as user avatars, attached files, images, etc.<br>
Only files which are referenced by the export are downloaded, which means that, for example, user avatars will not be downloaded when using the plain text (TXT) export format.<br>
A folder containing the media will be created among the exported chat. They must be kept together.
**5.** Click `EXPORT` to export.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/Moi6iqW.png" height="400" />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/KPgMH2D.png" height="400" /><img src="https://i.imgur.com/mtUFojS.png" height="400" />
**Date formats**<br/>
You can customize how dates are formatted in the exported files in the settings menu (![](https://i.imgur.com/0K3tt1M.png)). <br/>
* The default one is `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM` - `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt`<br/>
* To change it to `09-17-19 11:34 PM` use `MM-dd-yy hh:mm tt`<br/>
* To change it to `17-09-2019 23:34` use `dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm`<br/>
* To change it to `2019-09-17 23:34:05.6534` use `yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.ffff`<br/>
* To change it to UTC `2019-09-18 04:34:05Z` use `u`<br/>
* To display the time zone, add `K`. E.g. to change it to `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM (UTC-05:00)` use `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt (UTCK)`<br/>
**Date formats**<br>
You can customize how dates are formatted in the exported files in the settings menu (![](https://i.imgur.com/0K3tt1M.png)). <br>
* The default one is `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM` - `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt`<br>
* To change it to `09-17-19 11:34 PM` use `MM-dd-yy hh:mm tt`<br>
* To change it to `17-09-2019 23:34` use `dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm`<br>
* To change it to `2019-09-17 23:34:05.6534` use `yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.ffff`<br>
* To change it to UTC `2019-09-18 04:34:05Z` use `u`<br>
* To display the time zone, add `K`. E.g. to change it to `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM (UTC-05:00)` use `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt (UTCK)`<br>
More info about .NET date formats [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings).
@@ -80,24 +87,24 @@ More info about .NET date formats [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet
**(Skip to [File Formats](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#file-formats-))**
# Using the CLI ↴
> Make sure you have [.NET Core installed](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Install-.NET-Core-runtime) before attempting to run the commands bellow.<br/>
> Make sure you have [.NET Core installed](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Install-.NET-Core-runtime) before attempting to run the commands bellow.<br>
**Docker** users, please refer to the [Docker usage instructions](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Docker-usage-instructions).
**1.** After extracting the `.zip`, open Command Prompt, aka `cmd` (`Terminal` on **macOS** and **Linux**).
**2.** Change the current directory to DCE's folder with `cd C:\path\to\directory`, then press ENTER to run the command.
<br/><br/>
**Windows** users can quickly get the directory's path by clicking the address bar while inside the folder.<br/>
![](https://i.imgur.com/XncnhC2.gif)<br/><br/>
**macOS** users can select the `.exe`, hit Command+I (⌘I) and copy what's after `Where:` to get the directory<br/>
![](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/3c51a904b0099c9f68a4797461d4a7914902fc04/68747470733a2f2f692e696d6775722e636f6d2f323975364e79782e706e67)<br/><br/>
You can also drag and drop the folder on **every platform**.</br>
<br><br>
**Windows** users can quickly get the directory's path by clicking the address bar while inside the folder.<br>
![](https://i.imgur.com/XncnhC2.gif)<br><br>
**macOS** users can select the `.exe`, hit Command+I (⌘I) and copy what's after `Where:` to get the directory<br>
![](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/3c51a904b0099c9f68a4797461d4a7914902fc04/68747470733a2f2f692e696d6775722e636f6d2f323975364e79782e706e67)<br><br>
You can also drag and drop the folder on **every platform**.<br>
![](https://i.imgur.com/sOpZQAb.gif)
**3.** Now we're ready to run the commands, but please notice that the commands differ depending on your platform. The examples in this page follow the Windows format.<br/>
**3.** Now we're ready to run the commands, but please note that the commands differ depending on your platform. The examples in this page follow the Windows format.<br>
Non-Windows users will need to change the examples according to what is described below.
Let's run the following to list DCE's options:
Let's do the following to list DCE's options:
**Windows:** Type the following in Command Prompt, then press ENTER to run it:
```powershell
@@ -141,6 +148,7 @@ DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe command -h
||[-f](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-format-) | [Output file format](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#file-formats-)
||[-o](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-output-filename-) | Output file or directory path
||[-p](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#partitioning-) | Split output into partitions limited to this number of messages
||[--media](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#Downloading-media-) | Download referenced media content
||[--dateformat](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-formats-) | Date format used in output
||[--after](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-)| Limit to messages sent after this date
||[--before](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-) | Limit to messages sent before this date
@@ -174,33 +182,43 @@ DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 -o myserver
```
### Changing the output directory ↴
You can change the export directory by using `-o`<br/>
You can change the export directory by using `-o`<br>
If any of the folders has a space in its name, add quotes (")
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 -o "C:\Discord Exports"
```
### Changing the filename and output directory ↴
You can change both the filename and export directory by using `-o directory\name`<br/>
You can change both the filename and export directory by using `-o directory\name`<br>
If any of the folders has a space in its name, add quotes (")
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 -o "C:\Discord Exports\myserver"
```
### Partitioning ↴
You can use partitioning to split files after a given number of messages<br/>
You can use partitioning to split files after a given number of messages<br>
For example, a channel with 36 messages set to be partitioned every 10 messages will output 4 files
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 -p 10
```
### Downloading media ↴
If this option is set, the export will include additional files such as user avatars, attached files, images, etc.<br>
Only files which are referenced by the export are downloaded, which means that, for example, user avatars will not be downloaded when using the plain text (TXT) export format.<br>
A folder containing the media will be created among the exported chat. They must be kept together.
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 --media
```
### Date formats ↴
This setting changes how dates are formatted in the exported files.<br/>
* The default one is `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM` - `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt`<br/>
* To change it to `09-17-19 11:34 PM` use `MM-dd-yy hh:mm tt`<br/>
* To change it to `17-09-2019 23:34` use `dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm`<br/>
* To change it to `2019-09-17 23:34:05.6534` use `yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.ffff`<br/>
* To change it to UTC `2019-09-18 04:34:05Z` use `u`<br/>
* To display the time zone, add `K`. E.g. to change it to `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM (UTC-05:00)` use `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt (UTCK)`<br/>
This setting changes how dates are formatted in the exported files.<br>
* The default one is `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM` - `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt`<br>
* To change it to `09-17-19 11:34 PM` use `MM-dd-yy hh:mm tt`<br>
* To change it to `17-09-2019 23:34` use `dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm`<br>
* To change it to `2019-09-17 23:34:05.6534` use `yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.ffff`<br>
* To change it to UTC `2019-09-18 04:34:05Z` use `u`<br>
* To display the time zone, add `K`. E.g. to change it to `17-Sep-19 11:34 PM (UTC-05:00)` use `dd-MMM-yy hh:mm tt (UTCK)`<br>
More info about .NET date formats [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings).
@@ -210,24 +228,24 @@ DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 --dateformat "yyyy-MM-
```
### Date ranges ↴
**Messages sent before a date**<br/>
**Messages sent before a date**<br>
Use `--before` to export messages sent before the provided date. E.g. messages sent before September 18th 2019:
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 --before 2019-09-18
```
**Messages sent after a date**<br/>
**Messages sent after a date**<br>
Use `--after` to export messages sent after the provided date. E.g. messages sent after September 17th 2019 11:34 PM:
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 --after "2019-09-17 23:34"
```
**Messages sent in a date range**<br/>
**Messages sent in a date range**<br>
Use `--before` and `--after` to export messages sent during the provided date range. E.g. messages sent between September 17th 2019 11:34 PM and September 18th:
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.Cli.exe export -t "mfa.Ifrn" -c 53555 --after "2019-09-17 23:34" --before "2019-09-18"
```
You can try different formats like `17-SEP-2019 11:34 PM` or even refine your ranges down to milliseconds `17-SEP-2019 23:45:30.6170`!<br/>
Don't forget to quote (") the date if it has spaces!<br/>
You can try different formats like `17-SEP-2019 11:34 PM` or even refine your ranges down to milliseconds `17-SEP-2019 23:45:30.6170`!<br>
Don't forget to quote (") the date if it has spaces!<br>
More info about .NET date formats [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings).
@@ -239,11 +257,12 @@ More info about .NET date formats [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet
||[-f](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-format-) | [Output file format](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#file-formats-)
||[-o](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-output-filename-) | Output file or directory path
||[-p](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#partitioning-) | Split output into partitions limited to this number of messages
||[--media](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#Downloading-media-) | Download referenced media content
||[--dateformat](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-formats-) | Date format used in output
||[--after](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-) | Limit to messages sent after this date
||[--before](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-) | Limit to messages sent before this date
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br/>
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br>
This command exports all your Direct Messages.
@@ -257,11 +276,12 @@ This command exports all your Direct Messages.
||[-f](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-format-) | [Output file format](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#file-formats-)
||[-o](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#changing-the-output-filename-) | Output file or directory path
||[-p](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#partitioning-) | Split output into partitions limited to this number of messages
||[--media](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#Downloading-media-) | Download referenced media content
||[--dateformat](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-formats-) | Date format used in output
||[--after](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-) | Limit to messages sent after this date
||[--before](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#date-ranges-) | Limit to messages sent before this date
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br/>
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br>
This command exports all channels of a Server.
@@ -272,10 +292,10 @@ This command exports all channels of a Server.
||[-b](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#using-a-bot-token-) | Whether this authorization token belongs to a bot
**\***|-g| [Server ID](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Obtaining-Token-and-Channel-IDs#how-to-get-guild-id-or-guild-channel-id)
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br/>
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br>
This command outputs the server channels in the following format:<br/>
`Channel ID | Channel Name`<br/><br/>
This command outputs the server channels in the following format:<br>
`Channel ID | Channel Name`<br><br>
To save the output to a file, run the command below. If the file already exists, it will be overwritten.
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.exe channels -t "mfa.Ifrn" -g 21814 > C:\path\to\output.txt
@@ -287,9 +307,9 @@ DiscordChatExporter.exe channels -t "mfa.Ifrn" -g 21814 > C:\path\to\output.txt
**\***|[-t](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#basic-usage-) | [Authorization token](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Obtaining-Token-and-Channel-IDs#how-to-get-user-token)
||[-b](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#using-a-bot-token-) | Whether this authorization token belongs to a bot
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br/>
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br>
This command outputs the list of Direct Messages.<br/>
This command outputs the list of Direct Messages.<br>
To save the output to a file, run the command with `> C:\path\…` like the in example below. If the file already exists, it will be overwritten.
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.exe dm -t "mfa.Ifrn" > C:\path\to\output.txt
@@ -302,9 +322,9 @@ DiscordChatExporter.exe dm -t "mfa.Ifrn" > C:\path\to\output.txt
**\***|[-t](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#basic-usage-) | [Authorization token](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Obtaining-Token-and-Channel-IDs#how-to-get-user-token)
||[-b](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#using-a-bot-token-) | Whether this authorization token belongs to a bot
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br/>
> Options with an asterisk (**\***) are required. The order of the options doesn't matter.<br>
This command outputs a list of your Server List.<br/>
This command outputs a list of your Server List.<br>
To save the output to a file, run the command with `> C:\path\…` like the in example below. If the file already exists, it will be overwritten.
```powershell
DiscordChatExporter.exe guilds -t "mfa.Ifrn" > C:\path\to\output.txt
@@ -318,37 +338,36 @@ This command explains [how to get your token, guild, and channel IDs](https://gi
## HTML ↴
![](https://i.imgur.com/S7lBTkV.png)
The HTML format replicates Discord's interface, making it the most user-friendly option.<br/>
It's the best format for attachment preview and sharing.<br/>
You can open `.html` files with a web browser, such as Google Chrome.<br/>
> Please notice that if a picture is deleted, or if a user changes its avatar, the respective images will no longer be displayed.<br/>
[Save the file for offline viewing to avoid this problem](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Storing-HTML-locally)!<br/>
![](https://i.imgur.com/9uAHT3o.png)
The HTML format replicates Discord's interface, making it the most user-friendly option.<br>
It's the best format for attachment preview and sharing.<br>
You can open `.html` files with a web browser, such as Google Chrome.<br>
> Please note that if a picture is deleted, or if a user changes its avatar, the respective images will no longer be displayed.<br>
Export using the "Download referenced media content" (`--media`) option to avoid this.
## Plain Text ↴
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/PbUyRXD.png" height="400" />
The Plain Text format is the best option for archiving due to its small size.<br/>
You can open `.txt` files with text editors, such as Notepad.
The Plain Text format is the best option for archiving due to its small size.<br>
You can open `.txt` files with a text editor, such as Notepad.
## JSON ↴
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/FAeSA4O.png" height="400" />
The JSON format contains more technical information and is easily parsable.<br/>
You can open `.json` files with text editors, such as Notepad.
The JSON format contains more technical information and is easily parsable.<br>
You can open `.json` files with a text editor, such as Notepad.
## CSV ↴
![](https://i.imgur.com/VEVUsKs.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/1vPmQqQ.png)
The CSV format allows for easy parsing of the chat log. Depending on your needs, the JSON format might be better.<br/>
You can open `.csv` files with text editors, such as Notepad, or spreadsheet programs, like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
The CSV format allows for easy parsing of the chat log. Depending on your needs, the JSON format might be better.<br>
You can open `.csv` files with a text editor, such as Notepad, or a spreadsheet program, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
**([Back to top](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/GUI%2C-CLI-and-Formats-explained#getting-started))**
#
Further reading: [Storing HTML files locally for offline viewing](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter/wiki/Storing-HTML-locally), [.NET date formats](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings)<br/>
Further reading: [.NET date formats](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/custom-date-and-time-format-strings)<br>
Special thanks to [@Yudi](https://github.com/Yudi)