Overview
This article addresses an issue where a downloaded bulk user export file, which has a .gz extension, decompresses into many small files instead of a single data file. This can occur after downloading the user export and attempting to open the .gz archive.
Applies To
- Bulk User Export
Cause
This issue typically occurs because the software or operating system utility used to decompress the .gz file does not support the archive format. A bulk user export .gz file, when properly decompressed, should yield a single data file in the chosen Comma-Separated Values (CSV) or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format.
Solution
To correctly decompress the .gz file and obtain a single data file, consider the following:
- On Unix-based systems and macOS, native tools are typically available that can correctly decompress .gz files. Ensure these native utilities are used.
- On Windows operating systems, verify that the software used for decompression properly supports the .gz format. If default utilities result in multiple files, additional software specifically designed for handling .gz archives may be required.
- If new software needs to be installed and administrator privileges are not available on the device, contact the organization’s IT department for assistance or to obtain approved software for decompressing .gz files.