> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pipefile.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pipefile.com/reviewing-and-exporting/download-and-pdf-export.md).
# Download and export to PDF
Preview files in your browser, download one file or a selection, or export a whole request as a zip file or a single merged PDF.
You can work with a request's files in three ways: preview them in the browser, download individual files, or export the whole request as a **Zip file** or a **Merged PDF**. To send files to Google Drive, Dropbox or another storage service instead, see [Cloud storage integrations and auto-export](/reviewing-and-exporting/cloud-storage-and-auto-export.md).
## Preview a file
Select a file on the request page to open the preview. You can step through the request's files without closing it.
| File type | Preview |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| PDF | Shown as a document |
| Word and PowerPoint (`.doc`, `.docx`, `.ppt`, `.pptx`) | Converted to PDF for viewing |
| Excel and CSV (`.xls`, `.xlsx`, `.csv`) | Shown as a spreadsheet |
| Images (`.jpg`, `.png`, `.gif`, `.webp`, `.tiff`, `.bmp`, `.heic` and more) | Shown as an image |
| Video and audio (`.mp4`, `.mov`, `.mp3`, `.m4a`, `.wav` and more) | Played in the browser |
Other file types show **Preview Unavailable**. Download them to open them on your computer. Files encrypted with your own PGP key also can't be previewed (see [Use your own PGP key](/security/pgp-keys.md)).
Keyboard shortcuts in the preview:
| Key | Action |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Left / Right arrow | Previous or next file |
| `Ctrl` / `Cmd` + `Shift` + `S` | Download file |
| `F2` | Rename file |
| `A` / `X` | Accept or reject the file (see [Understanding reviews](/reviewing-and-exporting/understanding-reviews.md)) |
| `Esc` | Close preview |
## Download files
* **One file:** select the **Download** icon next to the file on the request page, or download it from the preview.
* **Several files:** select the files' checkboxes, then select **Download selected files** in the toolbar. Pipefile packages them into a zip file.
## Export the whole request
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Open Export
On the request page, select **Export** above the file list. The same options are in the request's **More options** (…) menu, under **Export**. Export appears once the request has at least one file.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose a format
* **Zip file**: every file, in folders that match your checklist.
* **Merged PDF**: every file combined into one bookmarked PDF.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Generate and download
Select **Generate Zip** or **Generate PDF**. Pipefile shows its progress while it prepares the files, then downloads the result. Large requests can take a minute.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
### How the zip file is organized
Files are placed in a folder for each checklist item, inside a folder for each section if your checklist uses sections. Files from an [open-ended request](/requests/open-ended-requests.md) that aren't attached to a checklist item sit at the top level. If two files have the same name, Pipefile numbers the later ones so nothing is overwritten.
### What's in the merged PDF
* A cover page with the request's overview, then each checklist item's files in checklist order.
* A title page before each checklist item.
* Bookmarks for each section and checklist item, so you can jump around in your PDF reader.
* Word, Excel and PowerPoint files are converted to PDF, and images are placed on their own pages.
Some files can't be merged, such as password-protected PDFs or file types that can't be converted. Pipefile downloads those separately in a second zip file, so you still get everything.
{% hint style="info" %}
Rejected files are left out of zip files, merged PDFs and storage exports. If you need one back in, undo its review first.
{% endhint %}
The downloaded file name looks odd. Where does it come from?
A whole-request export is named after the request's recipients and the date and time of the export, for example `JaneDoe_2026-11-11_T14-05-12.zip`. A selection of files is named `bulk_download-` followed by the date and time.
## Related
* [Understanding reviews](/reviewing-and-exporting/understanding-reviews.md)
* [Cloud storage integrations and auto-export](/reviewing-and-exporting/cloud-storage-and-auto-export.md)
---
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