# How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Mac

## Quick answer

In TextPort for Mac:

1. Click the chat in the list on the left.
2. Click **Export** in the top right, or press **Command-E**.
3. Click **PDF**, **Spreadsheet**, or **Text File**.
4. Pick a folder and click **Export**.

TextPort then says **Export complete.**

## What you need

- TextPort for Mac, set up with Messages access

## Steps

1. Click the chat

   It is in the list on the left. Its messages show on the right.

2. Click **Export**

   It is the blue button in the top right. **Export Conversation** opens.

   Tip: Or press **Command-E**.

3. Click **PDF**, **Spreadsheet**, or **Text File**

   **PDF** is a document to print or share. **Spreadsheet** is a CSV file. **Text File** is plain text. A save window opens.

4. Click **Export**

   Pick a folder next to **Where** first, like Documents. TextPort saves the file.

5. Click **Show in Finder**

   The sheet says **Export complete.** Finder opens with the file selected.

## Done

Your chat is saved as a file on your Mac.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The file has dates you do not need. | [Filter the chat by date](https://textport.com/guides/filter-a-chat-by-date-on-mac.md). Then click **Export** in the toolbar. That export keeps only those dates. **Command-E** exports every date. |
| Photos show as placeholders in the PDF. | TextPort cannot read the Attachments folder. See [missing photos](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac#problem-no-photos), then export again. |
| **Export** is gray. | The date range has no messages. Click the date range in the toolbar. Click **Reset**, then **Done**. |
| **Export** is gray on the **Attachments** tab. | The chat has no attachments in those dates. Click **Messages**. |
| The file has only photos and files, and no text. | You clicked **Export** in the toolbar on the **Attachments** tab. Click **Messages** at the top of the chat. Then export again. |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Tips

- To print instead, see [how to print a chat](https://textport.com/guides/print-a-chat-from-your-mac.md).

## Questions

### What is in the spreadsheet?

One row per message: the chat name, date and time, sender, the message, and its attachments. It opens in Excel, Numbers, and Google Sheets.

### Can I export many chats at once?

Yes. See [how to export many or all chats](https://textport.com/guides/export-many-or-all-chats-on-mac.md).

### Can I use the PDF in court?

Yes, exports can be used in court. Each message shows who sent it and when. See [how to prepare messages for court](https://textport.com/guides/prepare-messages-for-court.md).

## Next guides

- [How to save all photos and files from a chat on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac.md): You will get one ZIP file with every photo, video, and file from a chat.
- [How to export many or all chats on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/export-many-or-all-chats-on-mac.md): You will get one file for each chat, all in one folder on your Mac.
- [How to prepare text messages for court](https://textport.com/guides/prepare-messages-for-court.md): You will have a PDF of the chat that shows who said what, and when, with phone numbers.
- [How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac.md): You will get TextPort for Mac to show your chats again, with photos and names.

## On other platforms

- On iPhone: [How to export a chat to PDF](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-chat-to-pdf.md)
- On Windows: [How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-conversation-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for Mac. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/export-one-chat-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-mac