Quick Answer
If a Notion export stays on “exporting,” first try an export path that matches the content you need. Notion supports PDF export for pages and databases. [1]Notion also supports HTML export for pages and databases. [1]A PDF export that fails is exported as HTML instead. [1]If you are exporting a database Form view, switch to Table view because Form view cannot be exported. [1]
What This Problem Actually Means
A stuck export means you have not yet received the file or download link you expected. The symptom alone does not identify whether the issue is related to the selected content, the selected export format, the current browser session, or the connection being used.
What Notion Officially Documents
- Notion lets you save any page or database to your computer as a PDF file. [1]
- Notion lets you export any page or database as an HTML file. [1]
- Notion cannot export a database Form view. [1]
- Notion recommends exporting questions and responses from Table view instead of Form view. [1]
- A failed PDF export is exported as HTML instead. [1]
- PDF export settings include an option to include all content or exclude files and images. [1]
- PDF export settings include a page-format selection. [1]
- PDF export settings include a scale-percent field. [1]
- HTML exports are downloaded as a ZIP file containing an HTML version of the exported page or pages. [1]
- HTML exports can include separate files for subpages. [1]
- HTML exports that include subpages organize those subpages in folders after the ZIP file is unzipped. [1]
- PDF export with Include subpages is available on Business and Enterprise plans. [1]
- A PDF export with Include subpages creates a ZIP file containing nested pages as PDF files. [1]
- A PDF export with Include subpages sends an email containing a download link. [1]
- Custom emojis do not appear in PDF exports. [1]
Why This Happens
- The database is being exported from Form view Notion states that a database Form view cannot be exported. [1]Export the questions and responses from Table view instead. [1]
Checks You Can Make
Confirm whether the page can export as PDF without files and images
Notion’s PDF settings let you choose whether to include all content or exclude files and images. [1]This gives you a defined comparison export that does not include those assets.
- Open the Notion page or database you want to export.
- Open the page’s ••• menu and choose Export on desktop. [1]
- Select PDF as the export format. [1]
- In Include content, choose the option that excludes files and images. [1]
- Choose a page format. [1]
- Select Export and save the resulting file if the download completes. [1]
Confirm whether HTML export completes
Notion supports HTML export for pages and databases. [1]Notion also states that a failed PDF export is exported as HTML. [1]HTML export provides a different supported output path for the same content.
- Open the page or database that is stuck during export.
- Open the page’s ••• menu and choose Export on desktop. [1]
- Select HTML from the export format choices. [1]
- Leave Include subpages off for a single-page comparison export.
- Select Export to download the ZIP file. [1]
- Unzip the downloaded file and check for the HTML version of the page. [1]
Confirm that the database is in Table view
Notion cannot export a Form view of a database. [1]Notion directs you to export the questions and responses from Table view. [1]
- Open the database that you are trying to export.
- Change from Form view to Table view.
- Start the export again from the database after Table view is active.
- Choose the output format you need from the Export options. [1]
Confirm whether subpages are part of the stalled request
Notion offers an Include subpages option for PDF export on Business and Enterprise plans. [1]That option generates a ZIP file containing the nested pages as PDF files. [1]Testing the current page without that option separates a one-page export from a multi-page request.
- Open the top-level Notion page you are exporting.
- Open Export from the page’s ••• menu. [1]
- Select PDF. [1]
- Turn off Include subpages if it is enabled.
- Export only the current page.
- If that works, repeat the export later with Include subpages enabled only if you need the nested pages. [1]
Confirm whether a mobile PDF export produces a shareable link
Notion supports PDF export from a phone. [1]The mobile export flow provides a share menu. [1]Notion also sends an email with a download link for the mobile PDF export flow. [1]
- Open the same page in the Notion mobile app.
- Tap the ••• icon in the upper-right corner of the page. [1]
- Scroll down and select Export. [1]
- Choose the PDF export format and the page format you want. [1]
- Tap Export.
- Use the share menu to save the result or copy the download link into a mobile browser. [1]
Advanced Fixes
Compare PDF layout settings with a fresh PDF export
Notion’s PDF export flow lets you select a page format. [1]Notion’s PDF export flow also lets you adjust scale with a Scale percent field. [1]A new request with deliberately chosen layout settings helps you distinguish the current request from a fresh one.
- Open the page you need to export.
- Choose Export from the page’s ••• menu. [1]
- Select PDF. [1]
- Choose a page format from the Page format setting. [1]
- Set a scale in the Scale percent field if needed. [1]
- Export the page as a new PDF request. [1]
Use HTML with subpages when you need a structured page archive
Notion’s HTML export can include separate files for pages contained inside the current page. [1]After unzipping the result, included subpages are organized in their own folders. [1]This is a supported alternative when your goal is to retain a parent page and its nested content.
- Open the parent page that contains the pages you need.
- Open the page’s ••• menu and select Export. [1]
- Choose HTML. [1]
- Turn on Include subpages. [1]
- Select Export to download the ZIP file. [1]
- Unzip the file and review the folders for the included subpages. [1]
What Not To Assume
- Do not assume that an export is permanently lost merely because the PDF export appears stuck. The official instructions say that a failed PDF export is exported as HTML.
- Do not assume that a database Form view is an exportable format.
- Do not assume that the same output type is required for every backup or sharing need.
- Do not assume that missing custom emojis prove the export failed.
- Do not assume that a large page, a browser extension, a VPN, or a Notion service outage is the cause. The supplied official source does not establish any of those causes.
If Uploads Still Do Not Work
If the supported comparison exports above do not complete, report the issue through your normal Notion support route. Include enough detail for support to reproduce the specific request rather than reporting only that exporting is stuck.
- Include the page or database type you were exporting.
- Include whether the request used PDF or HTML.
- Include whether the export included subpages.
- Include whether you were exporting a database from Table view or Form view.
- Include whether a PDF attempt produced an HTML export instead.
- Include the exact text shown on screen and a screenshot with private content removed.
- Include the time of the attempt and the device or browser you used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export a Notion page as a PDF?
Yes. Notion says that any page or database can be saved to your computer as a PDF file. [1]
What happens if a Notion PDF export fails?
Notion says that it exports the content as HTML instead. [1]
Can I export a database Form view?
No. Notion says that Form view cannot be exported. [1]Export the questions and responses from Table view instead. [1]
Can I export Notion content as HTML?
Yes. Notion says that any page or database can be exported as an HTML file. [1]The download is a ZIP file containing an HTML version of the exported page or pages. [1]
Can an HTML export include subpages?
Yes. Notion’s HTML export includes an Include subpages option. [1]Included subpages are separate files. [1]
Why are custom emojis missing from my PDF export?
Notion says that custom emojis do not appear in PDF exports. [1]