---
title: "Fetching External Data to a CSV"
slug: "fetching-external-data-to-a-csv"
description: "This document shows how to fetch data from an external database to put into a CSV file, and then display that data on a form in a CSV Editor.  The document demonstrates how to create a two step flow to accomplish this task."
updated: 2025-06-20T14:36:02Z
published: 2025-06-20T14:36:02Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fetching External Data to a CSV

## Overview

Database entities represent external databases that can be integrated with a flow and then displayed on a CSV file.

Pre-requisiteBefore following this example, create a table integration with the **dbo.entity_acount** with the database LOCAL CONNECTION. Refer to [Integrate with Database Table](/v9/docs/integrate-with-database-table)

## Example

In this example, fetch data from the database and place it into a CSV file. Next, the data from the database will display on a form using a CSV editor step. This process can be assembled in two steps in the Flow Designer.

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1. Begin in a Designer Folder, select****[**Create Flow**](/v9/docs/creating-your-first-flow-2) in the top action panel.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-17_12h40_48.png)
2. In the Flow Designer, navigate to **Integrations > Database > Local Connection > dbo_entity_account (Table)** category and select **Get all from dbo_entity_account** step. Select **Add** to add this element to the flow. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-20_10h32_41.png)
3. In order to convert the data from the database to a CSV file set the Return Data Option property to **CSV File** and choose to limit the count to a constant if needed.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-20_10h35_26.png)
4. After the **Return Data Option** is selected on the **Get All from entity_account** step, [create a Form](/v9/docs/create-forms) by using a **Show Form** step to display the data in CSV control.
5. The Form uses a **CSV Editor** component to display the specified data as a CSV file. Name this component **CSVEditor** and choose **Optional**for the **Outcome Scenario**. This Form also has a **Button**to close the Form and continue the Flow. Save and close the Form Designer.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-12_16h55_09.png)
6. Back in the Flow Designer, set the input data on the form. With the Form selected, in the **Properties**panel under **Inputs > CSVEditor** choose **e****ntity_account_result.**Connect the remaining outcome paths to the **End**step.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-20_10h15_10(1).png)

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## Debug

Select Debug in the top action panel of the Flow Designer. When the Flow runs the Form opens and shows the CSV Editor component displays data from the accounts table as designed. Select **Done**on the Form to finish the Flow.

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For further information on Integrations, visit the [Decisions Forum](https://community.decisions.com/categories/Integrations).