Download all attachments from Airtable.

A CSV link is not a downloaded attachment

Airtable’s CSV export represents attachments with filenames and URLs. Airtable documents that these URLs expire after a few hours. Keeping the CSV alone therefore does not preserve the attached documents.

For an archive, save the actual files while you have access to them. Solid Backup downloads attachment files to your computer alongside the exported records, so you can keep your images, PDFs and documents with the data they belong to.

Bulk download Airtable attachments without scripts

Solid Backup downloads the accessible attachment files in your selected Airtable data as part of the export. You do not need to write a script or open and save each file individually. Choose Excel for the records and keep the actual files alongside the workbook.

Airtable’s own attachment documentation offers a scripting method for bulk downloads. That is another option if you are comfortable working with a script. Solid Backup provides a desktop workflow for people who want to choose the data and run an export without coding.

Downloads go directly from Airtable to your computer. Solid Backup does not store your exported records or files on its servers. The app still needs access to the selected Airtable data and an internet connection to retrieve it.

Download Airtable images, PDFs and documents

Here are three everyday uses for the same export workflow. These are illustrative examples, not extra file-conversion features.

Images

Export a product catalogue to Excel and download its product photos as image files. Use the workbook for the item data and open the images in your usual image viewer.

PDFs

Keep a project or invoice register in Excel, with the attached PDF documents downloaded alongside it. Open a local PDF to check that you have the file rather than just a URL.

Documents

Archive a project tracker with the documents attached to its records. Keep those downloaded files together with the exported data when moving or sharing the archive.

This workflow downloads the existing files. It does not turn records into PDF reports, convert document formats, or insert product photos into Excel cells.

Download attachments alongside an Excel export

1. Select the right data. Connect your Airtable account in Solid Backup and choose the base you want to export. Confirm that the account can access the relevant attachment fields.
2. Choose your output folder. Pick a local destination with space for the records and files. Large images and documents may take up more space than the spreadsheet.
3. Run the export with attachments. Export to Excel, CSV or JSON and download the attachment files as part of your local archive.
4. Open a sample. Check one image, one document and a record with several attachments before relying on the archive.

The attachment files are saved separately. They are not embedded inside Excel cells. When you copy the export to another location, keep the downloaded files with it.

Check what you can open offline

After the download completes, open a file from the local destination rather than from an Airtable URL. This confirms that you have a downloaded copy, rather than a shortcut that still depends on internet access.

Review the completion status in the app and inspect any download errors before calling the archive complete. Existing access permissions, available disk space and an interrupted connection can affect an export. If the Airtable attachment is no longer accessible, a saved link cannot recreate the missing file.

For a repeated archive, schedule your exports and periodically check the saved files. Add optional archive encryption when those documents need password protection.

Attachment download questions

Can I download all attachments from Airtable?

Solid Backup can bulk download the attachment files in the Airtable data you select and can access. Choose the correct bases and check the completed export before treating the archive as complete.

Can I keep the files on my Windows PC?

Yes. Solid Backup is a desktop app for Windows and macOS, and saves the exported data and downloaded files locally.

Does Solid Backup store my files on its servers?

No. Your Airtable exports are downloaded to your computer. Solid Backup does not store that exported data on its own cloud servers.

Is downloading attachments the same as backing up my whole Airtable app?

No. Records and files are part of your data archive. They do not, by themselves, reproduce interfaces, automations or account permissions. See the local backup guide for recovery planning.