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

# Share and import observation files

> Send observations to another Sightline user as a password-protected file, import one, or export and import all your records.

There are two ways to move records to another copy of Sightline:

| | Observation file | Records export |
| - | - | - |
| Holds | The observations you choose | All students, or one student's records |
| Protection | Encrypted with a password you set | Not encrypted |
| Where | Sessions or Results, Export → Share | Settings → Privacy & Data |

## Share observations

**1. Choose the observations**

In the student's **Sessions**, select the observations, then select **Export** → **Share**. With nothing selected, Share includes every observation. From **Results**, **Export** → **Share** shares that one.

**2. Set a password**

Enter a password of at least 8 characters in **Password** and **Confirm Password**, then select **Export**.

**3. Send the file**

Choose where to save the `.sightline` file. Its name starts with the student's name and today's date. Send the password separately from the file.

The file holds the student's name and each observation's recording, notes, and observer name. It leaves out the school, the teacher, and any write-up.

## Import an observation file

**1. Open Import**

Turn off **Demo mode**. Open any student. At the top of the sidebar, select **⋯** (More actions), then **Import**.

**2. Choose the file**

Select **Choose file**, pick the `.sightline` file, enter its password, and select **Import**.

Each observation goes to the student with the same name, whichever student you opened, or to a new student if none matches. "Wrong password or corrupted file" means the password doesn't match this file or the file is damaged.

## Export or import all records

Turn off Demo mode first. In Settings → Privacy & Data, under Transfer records, select Export records…. Choose All students or One student, select Save JSON…, and choose where to save. The file holds identifiable student records, so store it as your district requires.

To bring records in, select Import… beside Import records and choose a Sightline records file (`.json`). Check the counts in Import raw data?, then select Import.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Import adds new records and updates existing records that have the same internal ID, so an older file can overwrite newer changes. [Back up first](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/backup-and-restore.md).

Records import doesn't match students by name, so a student added on two computers can appear twice.

## Related

* [Export a report](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/exporting.md)
* [How Sightline handles student data](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/student-data.md)
* [Add and organize students](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/students.md)


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