How to Export Connections from LinkedIn [Guide]

Your LinkedIn connections are one of your most valuable professional assets. Whether you are switching to a new CRM, creating a personal backup, organizing your networking contacts, or preparing for a job search, exporting your LinkedIn connections can save you a lot of time.

LinkedIn allows users to download a copy of their connections through its Data Export feature. The exported file is usually available in CSV format, making it easy to open in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or other spreadsheet applications.

Depending on your privacy settings and your connections’ preferences, the exported file may include names, email addresses (if shared), companies, positions, and the date you connected.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the methods to export LinkedIn connections.

Table of Contents

Export Connections from LinkedIn

LinkedIn offers multiple ways to export your professional network. The easiest and most common method is downloading only your connections, while another option lets you request your complete LinkedIn account data, which also includes your connections.

Below are both methods explained in detail.

1: Export Only Your LinkedIn Connections

This is the quickest method if you only need your contact list.

Step 1: Sign In to Your LinkedIn Account

Open your preferred web browser and visit the LinkedIn website. Sign in using your email address and password. If you use two-factor authentication, complete the verification process before continuing.

After signing in, make sure you are using the account that contains the connections you want to export. If you manage multiple LinkedIn accounts, double-check that you’re logged into the correct one before proceeding.

Step 2: Open Your Settings and Privacy Page

Look toward the top right corner of the LinkedIn homepage and click your profile picture or the Me menu. A drop-down menu will appear with several account options.

Select Settings & Privacy. This page contains all the controls for your LinkedIn account, including security, visibility, notifications, and data management.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the page, as you’ll use it for many account management tasks in the future.

Step 3: Navigate to Data Privacy

On the left side of the Settings page, you’ll see several categories.

Click Data Privacy.

This section allows you to manage how LinkedIn stores, processes, and shares your information. You’ll also find options for downloading your account data.

Scroll down until you locate the section related to obtaining your account information.

Step 4: Choose the Export Data Option

Find the option labeled Get a copy of your data and open it.

LinkedIn now displays several download choices. Instead of downloading everything, choose Connections if your goal is simply exporting your professional network.

Selecting only your connections usually results in a much faster download because LinkedIn doesn’t need to prepare your complete account archive.

Step 5: Request Your Connections File

After selecting Connections, click the Request archive button.

For security reasons, LinkedIn may ask you to enter your password again. This extra verification helps ensure that only you can download your personal information.

Once your request is submitted, LinkedIn begins preparing your export file.

Step 6: Wait for the Download Email

The export file is not always available immediately. Depending on LinkedIn’s current workload, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

When your file is ready, LinkedIn sends an email to your registered email address.

You can also return to the Get a copy of your data page, where the download link often appears once the archive has been prepared.

Step 7: Download the CSV File

Click the download link provided by LinkedIn.

The downloaded file is usually compressed as a ZIP file. Save it somewhere you can easily find, such as your Downloads folder or Desktop.

Extract the ZIP file if necessary. Inside, you’ll find a CSV file containing your LinkedIn connections.

Step 8: Open and Review Your Connections

Open the CSV file using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet application.

The spreadsheet may contain information such as your connections’ names, current companies, job titles, dates connected, and email addresses when those have been shared through LinkedIn.

Review the information to make sure everything exported correctly before importing it into another application.

2: Export Your Complete LinkedIn Data

If you want more than just your connections, LinkedIn also lets you download your entire account information.

Step 1: Visit the Data Download Section

Go to Data Privacy, then open Get a copy of your data.

This is the same location used for exporting only your connections.

Step 2: Select the Complete Archive

Instead of selecting Connections, choose the option that downloads your larger data archive or complete account data.

This archive may include profile information, invitations, messages, articles, recommendations, account history, and connection information.

Because this archive is significantly larger, LinkedIn usually takes more time to prepare it.

Step 3: Submit Your Request

Click Request archive.

You may be asked to verify your password again.

LinkedIn starts creating your complete data package in the background.

Step 4: Download the Archive

When LinkedIn finishes preparing your archive, you’ll receive an email notification.

Download the ZIP file and extract it to a folder on your computer.

Inside, you’ll find multiple CSV files covering different parts of your LinkedIn account.

Locate the file related to your connections if that’s the information you need.

How to Open the Exported Connections File

Once your CSV file has been downloaded, you can open it with several applications.

If you use Microsoft Excel, simply double-click the CSV file. The spreadsheet will automatically display your exported data in rows and columns.

If you prefer Google Sheets, create a new spreadsheet and use the Import option to upload the CSV file.

You can also import the CSV into many CRM platforms, email marketing tools, or contact management applications that support CSV imports.

Before importing the data elsewhere, review the columns carefully to ensure they match the required format of your destination application.

Tips Before Exporting LinkedIn Connections

Always verify that your LinkedIn email address is still active because your download notification is sent there.

Keep your exported CSV file in a secure location since it may contain personal contact information.

If you’re importing the data into another application, create a backup of your original CSV file before making any edits.

Remember that not every connection will have an email address available. LinkedIn only includes information that users have chosen to share.

FAQs

Can I export LinkedIn connections for free?

Yes. LinkedIn allows both free and Premium members to export their connections using the built-in data export feature.

Why are some email addresses missing?

Some LinkedIn users choose not to share their email addresses. In those cases, LinkedIn will not include that information in your exported CSV file.

Can I export connections from the LinkedIn mobile app?

The mobile app does not provide the complete export feature. It’s much easier to use the LinkedIn website in a desktop browser to request your data.

How long does LinkedIn take to prepare the export?

Most connection exports are available within a few minutes, although larger data requests may take several hours depending on account size and system activity.

Can I import the CSV into Excel?

Yes. The exported CSV file is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and many CRM applications.

Will exporting my connections notify them?

No. Your connections are not notified when you download your own LinkedIn data.