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How to View and Export Form Submissions in WordPress

Using Joomla instead? See How to View and Export Form Submissions in Joomla.

WordPress doesn't include a contact form on its own. Forms come from a form plugin, and each one has its own screens. The steps below work for most of them.

Find your form plugin

  1. Log in at yoursite.com/wp-admin.
  2. Look in the left menu for your form plugin's name, or go to Plugins > Installed Plugins to see which one is active.

View entries

  1. Open your form plugin's menu and look for Entries, Submissions, or Messages.
  2. Pick the form.
  3. Click an entry to see its details.

Not seeing any entries? Some form plugins only send emails and don't save entries unless you turn that on, or only save entries in a paid version. Check your plugin's settings.

Export entries

Most form plugins have an Export option on the entries screen or under their Tools or Settings menu. Choose the form, the fields, and a date range, then download a CSV file. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets.

WordPress's own Tools > Export doesn't include form entries.

Change who gets notification emails

  1. Open the form in your form plugin.
  2. Look for Notifications or Email settings.
  3. Update the Send to address. Many plugins let you add several addresses.
  4. Save, then send a test submission.

Keep entry data safe

  • Form entries can include personal details. Only give access to people who need it.
  • Delete old entries you don't need.
  • Store exported files securely and delete them when you're done.
  • WordPress's Tools > Export Personal Data and Erase Personal Data tools can help with privacy requests, but they may not include form entries unless your form plugin supports them.

Not getting form emails?

Check spam folders first. WordPress sites often need an SMTP plugin, or your host's email settings, to send mail reliably. See Domain, DNS, and Business Email Basics: Who Owns What, or open a ticket if you're a client.

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