--- title: "How to export Ultimate Member users to Excel (.xlsx)" date: 2026-08-06 modified: 2026-08-06 author: "userelements_wh8sr3" url: "https://www.userelements.com/export-ultimate-member-users-to-excel/" markdown_url: "https://www.userelements.com/export-ultimate-member-users-to-excel.md" type: post excerpt: "Need a proper Excel workbook of your Ultimate Member users — not a CSV you open and re-save? UM Export […]" categories: - "Ultimate Member" --- Need a proper Excel workbook of your Ultimate Member users — not a CSV you open and re-save? **UM Export Pro** exports members directly to **.xlsx**, with the same filters, columns, presets, and background jobs you use for CSV. Use Excel when you’re sending reports to non-technical stakeholders, preserving column types for board packs, or avoiding CSV encoding surprises in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets uploads. --- ## Free vs Pro — what you need CapabilityFreeProExport to **CSV**YesYesExport to **Excel (.xlsx)**No**Yes — required**Format picker on Download nowCSV onlyCSV or ExcelBackground export as .xlsxNoYesScheduled automatic Excel deliveryNoYes (email / Dropbox; Sheets destination is CSV-only)Export row limit2,000Unlimited**Bottom line:** Excel (.xlsx) export is a **Pro-only** feature. Free can export CSV (which Excel can open), but it cannot generate a native `.xlsx` workbook. Upgrade: [UM Export Pro](https://www.userelements.com/ultimate-member-export) --- ## Before you start - Ultimate Member is installed and active - **UM Export Pro** is installed, activated, and Freemius-licensed - You’re logged in as an administrator (`manage_options`) If both Free and Pro are installed, use the top-level **UM Export** menu — Free’s UI is disabled while Pro is active. --- ## Export to Excel in 3 steps ### Step 1 — Choose who to include 1. Go to **UM Export → Export**. 2. On **1. Target & filters**, set filters as needed, for example: - Account status = Approved - Registration = Last 30 days - Role, WooCommerce, FluentCRM, or custom meta rules (Pro) 3. Leave filters empty to include all members matching no restriction. Active filters show as summary chips at the top. Optional: load a saved preset or a suggested starter (All members, Incomplete profiles, WooCommerce customers). > **📸 Screenshot 1 — Filters** > Step 1 with Basics expanded (status + registration) and summary chips visible. ### Step 2 — Choose columns 1. Open **2. Columns**. 2. Select fields from Basic Details (ID, Name, Email, Role, Username, Display Name, Registered Date, Profile Photo, Cover Photo). 3. Add Ultimate Member custom fields from the searchable list; drag to reorder on the right. 4. If WooCommerce / FluentCRM are active, add commerce or CRM columns as needed. 5. Optional: click **Preview first 25 rows** in the sticky footer to confirm the match count and sample data. > **📸 Screenshot 2 — Columns** > Step 2 with selected columns ordered on the right and the live preview available from the footer. ### Step 3 — Download as Excel 1. Open **3. Review & export** and confirm the summary (who / columns / format). 2. In the sticky footer, set the format dropdown to **Excel (.xlsx)**. 3. Click **Download now**. Your browser downloads a native Excel workbook. Open it in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, or upload it to Google Drive. > **📸 Screenshot 3 — Format + Download now** > Sticky footer on step 3 with format set to Excel (.xlsx) and Download now highlighted. --- ## Large lists: background Excel export For thousands of members, prefer a background job instead of waiting on a browser download. 1. On step 3, under **Export now**, set the background format to **Excel (.xlsx)**. 2. Click **Background export (email when ready)**. 3. Optional: enable **Attach the file to the completion email** (only when under the size limit; default ~15 MB). 4. When the job finishes, open the secure link in the email (manual background links last about **7 days**), or download from the **Activity → Background downloads** table. Background exports process members in chunks (500 users per chunk) via Action Scheduler, so they are much less likely to time out on shared hosting. > **📸 Screenshot 4 — Background Excel** > Background format set to Excel, progress card showing rows processed. --- ## Schedule automatic Excel reports Send a repeating Excel file without logging in each month. 1. Build your filters and columns, then **Save preset** with a clear name (e.g. “Board members monthly”). 2. Expand **Send this member list automatically**. 3. Enable the repeating schedule. 4. Set **File type** to **Excel workbook (.xlsx)**. 5. Choose destinations: - Email me a download link - Email me the file as an attachment - Save a copy to Dropbox (connect under **UM Export → Deliveries**) 6. Pick frequency: every day, every hour, or once a week. 7. Save the preset, then use **Send now** to test. **Note:** Google Sheets destination accepts **CSV schedules only** (Excel is binary and cannot replace sheet cells the same way). For Sheets, schedule CSV; for a true .xlsx file, use email or Dropbox. **Also note:** “Embed rows in webhook” is CSV-only. Webhooks still work with Excel schedules for metadata + download URL, but not inlined row JSON. --- ## CSV vs Excel — when to pick which Use casePreferBoard / management report opened in Microsoft Excel**Excel (.xlsx)**Zapier / Make webhook with embedded rowsCSVUpdate a Google Sheet destinationCSVRe-import into UM Export laterCSV (round-trip friendly)Meta / Google Ads hashed audience uploadCSV (+ Hash PII on Pro)Dropbox archive of monthly workbooksExcel (.xlsx)--- ## Example: monthly approved members workbook 1. Step 1: Account status = **Approved**, Registration = **Last 30 days**. 2. Step 2: ID, Name, Email, Role, Registered Date (+ first/last name from custom fields if needed). 3. Step 3: Format = **Excel (.xlsx)** → Download now. 4. Optional: save as preset “Monthly approved” and schedule weekly email delivery as Excel. --- ## WP-CLI (Pro) Generate Excel from a saved preset without using the admin UI: ``` wp um-export run --preset=monthly-approved --format=xlsx wp um-export run --preset=monthly-approved --format=xlsx --background ``` --- ## Troubleshooting IssueFixNo Excel option — only “Download CSV”You’re on Free, or Free UI. Activate **UM Export Pro** and use **UM Export → Export**.Download times out on large sitesUse **Background export** with format Excel.Email arrives but attachment missingFile may exceed the attachment size limit; use the download link instead, or enable S3 storage.Google Sheets destination won’t take ExcelExpected — Sheets sync is CSV-only. Schedule CSV for Sheets, or Excel for email/Dropbox.Webhook has no embedded rowsEmbed rows only works for CSV schedules.File won’t open in old ExcelUse a current Excel / LibreOffice build that supports Office Open XML (`.xlsx`).--- ## Quick decision You want…UseCSV export for small listsFree or ProNative **.xlsx** workbook**Pro**Excel for 5,000+ membersPro + background exportAutomatic monthly Excel email / DropboxPro + saved preset + scheduleGet Excel export: [UM Export Pro](https://www.userelements.com/ultimate-member-export)