Exporting Reports
After generating a report, two export buttons appear: PDF and CSV. Both formats include the same core data (summary statistics, flights by UAV, condition breakdowns, recent flights) but with different structures optimized for different use cases. Export files are named with a timestamp to distinguish between multiple exports.
When Export Buttons Appear
The PDF and CSV export buttons are only visible after you have clicked "Generate Report" and populated the results. If no report has been generated yet, the buttons remain disabled or hidden.
CSV Export
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format is ideal for importing into spreadsheets, data tools, or external systems. The CSV export is a text file structured in sections.
CSV Filename
flight-report-YYYY-MM-DD.csv
Example: flight-report-2025-02-20.csv (generated on February 20, 2025).
CSV Content Structure
The CSV is divided into labeled sections for easy parsing:
Section 1: Report Header
Generated on: 2025-02-20T15:30:00Z Filters Applied: Date Range (Jan 1 - Feb 20), Flight Type (Physical Only)
Section 2: Summary
Key-value pairs for the four main metrics:
Total Flights | 42 |
Total Duration | 15h 32m |
Total UAVs | 5 |
Total Takeoffs | 47 |
Total Landings | 47 |
Section 3: Flights by UAV
A table with headers:
Drone Name,Manufacturer,Type,Flights,Duration (h:m),Takeoffs,Landings Phantom-01,DJI,Quad,8,3:45,12,12 Mavic-02,DJI,Quad,10,4:20,15,15
Section 4: Recent Flights
A comprehensive table with all captured flight attributes:
Date,UAV,Departure,Landing,Duration (sec),Light Conditions,Ops Conditions,Pilot Type 2025-02-20,Phantom-01,Site A,Site A,1250,Day,VLOS,PIC 2025-02-19,Mavic-02,Site B,Site B,980,Day,VLOS,Dual
CSV Size and Limits
The CSV export includes all matching flights with no row limit. If your report matches 10,000 flights, the CSV will contain all 10,000 rows (plus header and summary sections). This makes CSV ideal for bulk analysis and external archiving.
PDF Export
PDF format is ideal for sharing reports with stakeholders, regulatory bodies, or archiving as a formatted document. The PDF is printer-friendly and includes styled tables.
PDF Filename
flight-report-YYYY-MM-DD.pdf
Example: flight-report-2025-02-20.pdf (generated on February 20, 2025).
PDF Content Structure
The PDF is formatted as a professional report with the following sections:
Page 1: Title and Header
- Report title: "Flight Report"
- Generation timestamp
- Applied filters summary
Summary Table
A blue-header table with two columns:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Flights | 42 |
| Total Duration | 15h 32m |
| Total UAVs | 5 |
| Total Takeoffs | 47 |
Flights by UAV Table
A table with columns: UAV, Manufacturer, Flights, Duration, Takeoffs.
Flight Conditions Table
A breakdown of light conditions, operations conditions, and pilot type with flight counts:
| Category | Type | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Light Conditions | Day | 38 |
| Light Conditions | Night | 4 |
| Operations Conditions | VLOS | 35 |
| Operations Conditions | BLOS | 7 |
| Pilot Type | PIC | 30 |
| Pilot Type | Dual | 12 |
Recent Flights Table
A table with the most recent flights. Columns: Date, UAV, Departure, Landing, Duration, Type (Flight/Simulator).
PDF Row Limit
The Recent Flights table in PDF is limited to the first 20 rows to keep the PDF file size manageable and readable in print. If your report contains more than 20 recent flights, only the most recent 20 appear on the PDF. To access the full list, export to CSV instead.
⚠ Warning: PDF exports cap the Recent Flights table at 20 entries. For compliance or audit purposes that require all flights, always use the CSV export to get the complete untruncated dataset.
Choosing Between CSV and PDF
| Use Case | Recommended Format | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory filing, compliance audit | CSV | Unlimited rows, machine-parseable, integrates with external systems. |
| Sharing with non-technical stakeholders | Professional formatting, printable, no special software needed. | |
| Data analysis, pivot tables, cross-reference | CSV | Plain text, compatible with Excel, Python, R, and other tools. |
| Archival, signed record-keeping | Fixed layout, digital signature compatible, proof of report format. |
Tip: For maximum auditability, export both CSV (for completeness) and PDF (for presentation) of the same report. Store them together as a matched pair.
Next: Best Practices