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

# Export a backup

> Export a backup to your Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage bucket.

<Note>
  This feature is available on [Standard and Enterprise plans](https://www.pinecone.io/pricing/).
</Note>

Exporting namespaces from a backup is the recommended way to rearchitect your use case and perform large-scale data revisions. It is faster and cheaper than using other API calls.

## What you can do

* Export a full backup or selected namespaces to your Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage bucket.

  <Note>
    Azure Blob Storage support is coming soon.
  </Note>

* Handle the exported data accordingly (e.g., add metadata fields, split into more namespaces).

* The exported data is already formatted for [import](/guides/index-data/import-data). For a seamless import, maintain the existing Parquet schema when handling your data.

## Before you export

Ensure you have a storage integration and a backup of the index you want to export.

### Add a storage integration

Create an integration that allows Pinecone to write exported data to your object storage.

<Note>
  Storage integrations are scoped to the Project level. Be sure your storage integration is created within the Project in which your target index resides.
</Note>

<Tip>
  You'll need a [storage integration with read permissions](/guides/index-data/import-data#add-a-storage-integration) to import your data back into Pinecone. We recommend also creating it at this time.
</Tip>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Amazon S3">
    Follow [Integrate with Amazon S3](/guides/operations/integrations/integrate-with-amazon-s3) to create an IAM policy, IAM role, and storage integration.

    For export, the IAM policy must allow `s3:ListBucket` and `s3:PutObject` on your destination bucket or [subdirectory](/guides/operations/integrations/integrate-with-amazon-s3#targeting-a-subdirectory-optional). For example:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "Version": "2012-10-17",
      "Statement": [
        {
          "Effect": "Allow",
          "Action": [
            "s3:ListBucket",
            "s3:PutObject"
          ],
          "Resource": [
            "arn:aws:s3:::BUCKET_NAME",
            "arn:aws:s3:::BUCKET_NAME/*"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
    ```

    When creating the IAM role, use a trust policy that allows Pinecone's AWS account to assume the role. For example:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "Version": "2012-10-17",
      "Statement": [
        {
          "Effect": "Allow",
          "Principal": {
            "AWS": [
              "arn:aws:iam::713131977538:root"
            ]
          },
          "Action": "sts:AssumeRole",
          "Condition": {}
        }
      ]
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Google Cloud Storage">
    Follow [Integrate with Google Cloud Storage](/guides/operations/integrations/integrate-with-google-cloud-storage) to create a service account, grant bucket access, and add a storage integration.

    When [granting access to the bucket](/guides/operations/integrations/integrate-with-google-cloud-storage#2-grant-access-to-the-bucket), assign the **Storage Object User** role (instead of Storage Object Viewer) so Pinecone can write exported objects.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Create a backup

[Create a backup](/guides/manage-data/back-up-an-index#create-a-backup) of the serverless index you want to export.

Then [list the backups for the index](/guides/manage-data/back-up-an-index#list-backups-for-an-index) and copy the `backup_id` of the backup to export.

## Request an export

To start an export, [contact Support](https://app.pinecone.io/organizations/-/settings/support/ticket) and share the following:

* **Destination URI** — The full URI of the location in your bucket where the exported data should be written. For example:
  * Amazon S3: `s3://BUCKET_NAME/EXPORT_DIR`
  * Google Cloud Storage: `gs://BUCKET_NAME/EXPORT_DIR`
* **Storage integration ID** — The ID of the storage integration you created, as found in the [Pinecone console](https://app.pinecone.io/organizations/-/projects/-/storage).
* **Project ID** — The ID of the project containing the backup to export, as found in the [Pinecone console](https://app.pinecone.io/organizations/-/projects).
* **Backup ID** — The ID of the [backup](#create-a-backup) to export.
* **Namespaces** (optional) — The namespace name(s) to export, as found in the [Pinecone console](https://app.pinecone.io/organizations) or via [list\_namespaces](/guides/manage-data/manage-namespaces#list-all-namespaces-in-an-index). Only needed if exporting specific namespaces.

Once Pinecone Support receives this information, the export operation will begin and you'll be periodically updated on its status.