# Read history and export retained records

Distinguish label content, printing evidence, selected history exports and complete site exports.

Source: https://help.smartfact.ai/manuals/labels/history-and-exports

Review edition: 25 October 2026

Roles: supervisor, viewer, owner

LabelRules retains source revisions, accepted work, stored labels and print attempts. These records answer different questions. A stored PDF shows what the label contained; the attempt and observed-outcome records explain what is known about printing.

## Follow the right identity

Start with the exact work-order reference, source revision and line. Open the accepted run and inspect **Stored label**, **Copies and outcomes** and **Run history**. Follow reprint links when investigating replacement labels.

Retained work keeps the configuration and content used at the time. A newer release does not silently change an older accepted label.

## Request selected history

Supervisor can open **Your account → History retention**, review the relevant source revision and choose **Request private history export**.

1. Check the source and scope being exported.
2. Request the export and keep its receipt.
3. Use **Check status** while it is queued or running. This does not create another export.
4. When ready, download while signed in as the authorised requester, completing recent authentication when asked.
5. Check that the file downloaded successfully and store it through your organisation's approved process.

The current selected-history export expires one hour after its request, including time in the queue. Checking status does not extend that deadline. Changed source or recovery state can invalidate a prepared export. Review the current evidence and request a new export deliberately when required.

Viewer cannot request these exports. Owner alone cannot request selected production-history exports either; an Owner doing that work also needs Supervisor.

## Request a complete site export

Owner or Supervisor can open the Closure page and choose **Prepare complete export**. It contains the records and private files LabelRules holds for that site, with a manifest describing its contents and omissions.

This is broader than an investigation export. Handle it as sensitive organisational data. It excludes sign-in credentials and does not generate a new signed, importable portable configuration package.

Keep the receipt and use the available status/download controls. A queued request is not a completed file. Download promptly and retain it independently before closing, moving or deliberately expiring the source history.

## Retention changes the available evidence

An export request does not stop legitimate history expiry. Temporary generated files can also become unavailable after a restore. Ask the Owner to coordinate retention with any investigation or export requirement.

Downloaded files are your organisation's responsibility. A download-authorisation record is not proof that a complete file arrived on your computer; check the result.