# Dump Data

![](https://894783789-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LPHXQ1I3gb93zpLrLZf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f31114530839174a591847893eb2ee66cc312db6%2FDump_Data.png?alt=media)

![](https://894783789-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LPHXQ1I3gb93zpLrLZf%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-da7138d6016dbd2f818f64c6e50baea26e662224%2FDump_Data.png?alt=media) - [\[source code\]](https://github.com/ladybug-tools/ladybug-grasshopper/blob/master/ladybug_grasshopper/src/LB%20Dump%20Data.py)

Dump any Ladybug data collections into a file. You can use "LB Load Data" component to load the data collections from the file back into Grasshopper.

### Inputs

* **data \[Required]**

A list of Ladybug data collections to be written to a file.

* **format**

Text or an integer to set the format of the output file. Choose from the options below. (Default: CSV).

```
* 0 = CSV - Compact, human-readable, importable to spreadsheets

* 1 = JSON - Cross-language and handles any types of collections

* 2 = PKL - Compressed format only readable with Python
```

* **name**

A name for the file to which the data collections will be written. (Default: 'data').

* **folder**

An optional directory into which the data collections will be written. The default is set to a user-specific simulation folder.

* **dump \[Required]**

Set to "True" to save the data collection to a file.

### Outputs

* **report**

Errors, warnings, etc.

* **data\_file**

The path of the file where the data collections are saved.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ladybug.tools/ladybug-primer/components/4_extra/dump_data.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.