To export reports from accessibility compliance software, open the reporting or analytics section, apply filters for date range, project, or conformance level, select an export format (typically PDF, CSV, or XLSX), and download the file. Most platforms also support scheduled exports delivered by email and shareable links for recipients without platform access. The export options available depend on the platform’s reporting features and your account permissions.
| Element | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Common Formats | PDF for distribution, CSV or XLSX for data analysis, JSON for system integrations |
| Filter Options | Date range, project, page or screen, WCAG version, conformance level, issue severity, status |
| Report Types | Audit reports, scan results, remediation progress, portfolio summaries, VPAT and ACR documents |
| Permissions | Export access is typically tied to user roles, with admin and project lead accounts having broadest access |
| Automation | Scheduled exports can be delivered weekly or monthly by email to designated recipients |
Where to Find the Export Function
Most accessibility compliance platforms place export controls inside the reporting dashboard or alongside individual reports. Look for an export, download, or share button near the top right of any report view. Some platforms also offer bulk export from a portfolio or workspace level, allowing data across multiple projects to be pulled in one action.
If you cannot locate the option, check account permissions. Read-only roles often see reports but cannot generate exports.
Choosing the Right Export Format
The format you select depends on who receives the report and what they do with it.
- PDF: Best for sharing with executives, legal teams, or external parties who need a fixed-format document. Preserves visual layout, charts, and branding.
- CSV or XLSX: Best for development teams, project managers, or anyone analyzing issue data. Allows sorting, filtering, and pivot table analysis of issues and remediation status.
- JSON: Best for engineering teams integrating issue data into ticketing systems or internal dashboards.
- DOCX: Common for VPAT and ACR documents, which often require editing before distribution.
Filtering Before You Export
Exporting an unfiltered report often produces a file too large to be useful. Apply filters first so the export contains only the data your audience needs.
Useful filters include date range (to show progress over a specific quarter), project or property (to isolate one site or app), WCAG conformance level (2.1 AA versus 2.2 AA), issue status (open, in progress, resolved), and severity. Filtered exports are easier to read and faster to act on.
Types of Reports You Can Export
Compliance platforms typically support several report categories, each serving a different purpose.
Audit reports document issues identified through manual evaluation, including location, WCAG criterion, severity, and remediation guidance. Scan reports show automated check results, with the understanding that scans only flag approximately 25% of issues. Remediation progress reports track open versus resolved issues over time. Portfolio reports aggregate data across multiple projects for executive review. VPAT and ACR exports produce the formatted documents used for procurement.
Scheduled and Recurring Exports
Many platforms support scheduled exports delivered by email on a recurring basis. This is useful for keeping leadership or external partners informed without requiring them to log in.
Typical schedule options include weekly digests of new issues, monthly progress summaries, and quarterly portfolio reports. Recipients can usually be added without granting full platform access, which keeps reporting visibility separate from editing permissions.
What to Verify in an Export Before Sharing
Before sending an exported report externally, confirm a few details. Check that the date range and filters applied reflect what the recipient expects. Confirm the WCAG version and conformance level shown match the audit scope. Review for any internal notes or comments that should not appear in an external document.
For VPAT and ACR exports, verify that scope statements and evaluation methods are accurate. Exported reports become the record procurement teams and legal reviewers rely on, so the data inside should reflect the current state of the project at the moment of export.