---
title: "How to trigger a GravityExport Save Feed"
date: 2026-04-23
author: "GravityKit"
link: "https://www.gravitykit.com/docs/gravityexport/trigger-manual-export-2/"
---

You can trigger a GravityExport Save feed in two ways: by scheduling it to run automatically at a set interval, or by calling a public trigger URL (webhook).

## How to configure

When creating a new "GravityExport Save" feed, choose an option under "Export Trigger":

- **Scheduled** — Runs automatically at a set interval (hourly, twice daily, daily, weekly, or a custom interval in hours). After saving, the feed settings will show when the next export is scheduled and the status of the last export.
- **Webhook** — Runs only when a public trigger URL is accessed. After saving the feed, a "Public trigger URL" will be generated. Click the button to copy it to your clipboard.

Scheduled exports also generate a trigger URL for on-demand use.

When the URL is accessed, the export will be run and the file will be saved, as you have configured.

![](https://www.gravitykit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/file-YZmvvNOpvl.png)

## Ways to trigger your export

### Option 1: Schedule regular exports

Select the "Scheduled" trigger when configuring your feed, then choose an interval (hourly, twice daily, daily, weekly, or custom). Exports will run automatically in the background — no external services or plugins required.

You can monitor the next scheduled run and last export status directly in the feed settings. If a scheduled export fails, enable "Failure Alerts" to show a dashboard notice until the next successful export.

**Ensuring scheduled exports run reliably**

Scheduled exports use WordPress background processing (not WP-Cron), which checks for pending jobs on each page visit. This means scheduled exports will still work even if WP-Cron is disabled on your site.

To ensure exports run reliably, use an external service like FastCron ([www.fastcron.com](https://www.fastcron.com/)) to visit your site at regular intervals. These services send a request to your site on a schedule (e.g., every hour), which keeps WordPress background processing active. Simply point the service at your site's homepage, you do not need to use the export trigger URL for this.

### Option 2: Trigger via Webhooks

Webhooks let you trigger exports automatically when something happens. No coding required with these tools:

#### [**Zapier**](https://zapier.com/learn/getting-started-guide/) (No-Code Automation)

Create a "Zap" to trigger exports when:

- A row is added to Google Sheets
- A payment is completed in Stripe
- An order is placed in WooCommerce
- Any of 5000+ app events occur

**Setup:**

- Choose your trigger event
- Add "Webhooks by Zapier" as the action
- Set it to GET request
- Paste your trigger URL
- Turn on the Zap

#### [**Make**](https://help.make.com)

Similar to Zapier with visual workflow builder:

- Select a trigger (form submission, schedule, etc.)
- Add HTTP "Make a request" module
- Enter your trigger URL
- Activate the scenario

### Manual Use

Save the trigger URL as a browser bookmark to run the export anytime.

## Common use cases

### Daily reports

- Schedule a daily export using the "Scheduled" trigger with the "Daily" interval
- Automatically email or save to Dropbox using Zapier

### After each submission

- Use Gravity Forms Webhooks Add-On
- Or create a Zapier workflow triggered by new entries

### Weekly summaries

- Schedule regular exports using a weekly or custom interval
- Combine with email automation for distribution

### On-demand exports

- Add bookmark for quick webhook exports
- Create Slack command for team access

## Best practices

- **Test your setup**: Run the trigger URL manually first to ensure it works
- **Monitor your exports:** Check the feed settings for next run time and last export status
- **Enable failure alerts:** Turn on dashboard notifications so you're aware if a scheduled export fails
- **Keep URLs secure**: Don't share trigger URLs publicly
- **Document your automations**: Keep track of what triggers your exports
- **Keep background processing active:** If your site has low traffic, use an external service like FastCron to visit your site regularly so scheduled exports run on time