Frequently asked questions
The practical details behind TidyExport's private, local-first workflow.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The current cleaner reads, analyzes, and generates downloads in your browser. There is no file-upload API in the core workflow.
Which files are supported?
CSV files up to 25 MB or 100,000 rows, and XLSX files up to 15 MB or 50,000 data rows. Legacy XLS, encrypted workbooks, and password-protected files are not supported.
What happens to Excel formatting?
Cell values, dates, numbers, and number/date formats are retained where the XLSX file provides them. The cleaned workbook uses a new simple table style; formulas are exported as their last calculated values.
Does it support multiple worksheets?
TidyExport cleans the first worksheet only. The workspace warns you when additional worksheets exist, and they are not included in the cleaned download.
Why protect formula-like text?
Text starting with =, +, -, or @ can be interpreted as a formula by spreadsheet apps. The default safety option prefixes these values so they open as text. You can turn it off before downloading.
Can I undo a cleanup?
Yes. Recipe edits can be undone and redone before download. Your original file is never changed, so it remains your backup.
What is saved in a recipe?
A recipe contains its name, expected column names, schema fingerprint, ordered cleanup rules, and any literal find/replace text you enter. It does not automatically copy spreadsheet rows. Browser-local recipes are stored only in this browser and can be exported or deleted.
What happens when next month’s columns change?
TidyExport compares the new file with the recipe schema. Reordered columns are flagged, and missing columns can be mapped to their current names before dependent steps run.
What is included for free?
After signing in, you receive one successful cleaned-file export per UTC calendar month. You can upload, clean, and preview locally without an account, but downloading the full cleaned file requires sign-in so the allowance can be enforced by the server.
What does the $5 option include?
It provides one successful cleaned-file export and does not automatically expire. Previewing, failed processing, or an interrupted authorization does not consume the credit.
How does the monthly plan work?
The $10 USD plan includes 100 successful exports per provider billing period and renews until canceled. Unused exports do not roll over. A normal cancellation keeps access through the paid period after verified provider confirmation.
Which allowance is used first?
TidyExport uses an active monthly allowance first, then the current month’s free export, then a purchased single-export credit.
Can I export or delete my account data?
Yes. The Account page provides a JSON export after a recent sign-in. Confirmed account deletion removes authentication and cloud-recipe data; local browser recipes remain under your control, and required billing records are de-identified.
Can I request a refund?
Yes. A single-export purchase may be eligible within 24 hours if no successful export was used. For first monthly payments on subscriptions purchased from October 1, 2026, 00:00 UTC, you may request a refund within 48 hours if no successful export was used in that paid period. Earlier purchases retain the prior 7-day, up-to-5-exports rule. A monthly renewal may be eligible within 48 hours if no export was used after renewal. Duplicate charges, confirmed payment errors, and TidyExport service failures may also be reviewed. Submit the payment reference through the signed-in Support page. Applicable consumer rights still apply, and a verified full refund or reversal immediately withdraws the related access.
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