# Exports

## GIFs and Videos

{% hint style="info" %}
Exports are only for **Pro** and **Growth** users. 
{% endhint %}

### Who can export Arcades?

*Only users on the Pro and Growth plans can export Arcades as GIFs or videos.*\
Exports are great for sharing on:

* Social media
* Email
* Messaging apps
* Presentations

That said, *interactive Arcades* are always the most powerful format, so we recommend only exporting when needed for static channels.

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### How do I export my Arcade?

1. Click the *Share* button in the top right of your Arcade
2. Select the *GIF & Video* option
3. A new modal will open with two tabs:
   * *New export* (create one)
   * *Previous exports* (download again)

\[Insert screenshot: Share dropdown with “GIF & Video”]

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### What are export presets?

At the top of the export modal, you’ll see preset options:

* **Email**: GIF, smaller size and lower resolution (great for email clients)
* **Social media**: MP4 video, higher quality
* **Presentation**: MP4 video, highest resolution
* **Custom**: Choose your own format, resolution, and framerate

Presets automatically adjust the export settings for common use cases.

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### What settings can I configure in Custom mode?

When you choose the *Custom* preset, you’ll be able to configure:

* **Type**: GIF or MP4 video\
  \&#xNAN;*GIFs are smaller but don’t support audio. MP4s are larger and higher quality.*
* **Resolution**: 360p, 480p, SVGA, or 720p\
  \&#xNAN;*Choose based on where you're uploading. Lower = smaller file size.*
* **Frame rate**: 15 FPS or 24 FPS\
  \&#xNAN;*Higher frame rate = smoother motion, but larger file size*
* **Additional features**:
  * *Hotspot cursor animation* toggle (on by default)

\[Insert screenshot: Export modal]

***

### What happens after I click Generate?

1. After selecting your settings, click the *Generate* button
2. The export will begin rendering — this can take up to a few minutes
3. You’ll see a progress %. Once done, the file will be *finalized*
4. You’ll get an in-app download link, and we’ll email you a copy too
5. You can close the modal at any time — the download will still complete

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### Where can I find past exports?

Click the *Previous exports* tab at the top of the export modal to:

* Re-download previous GIFs or videos
* Check the format, resolution, or FPS used

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### Are there limits on how long my export can be?

Yes. You can export Arcades up to:

* *100 steps*
* *59 minutes*

Longer Arcades must be shortened or split into parts.

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### How should I configure my GIF exports?

For best results:

* *Keep Arcades short and movement-rich* (GIFs thrive on fast, visible interaction)
* *Match your capture resolution to your export resolution* — exporting a 1080p-recorded Arcade as 360p can lead to visible quality loss

GIFs are ideal for email, Slack, and quick shares — videos are better for polish and presentation.

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### My .mp4 isn't uploading. What should I do?

Some platforms (like *LinkedIn* and *HubSpot*) have file size or format restrictions.\
Check the upload requirements of that site and confirm your Arcade export matches.

* [LinkedIn upload rules](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/70544)
* [HubSpot upload rules](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/files/what-file-types-are-supported-in-the-files-tool)

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### How can I reduce file size?

To keep your GIF or video lightweight:

* Reduce the number of steps
* Use lower resolution (360p or 480p)
* Use 15 FPS instead of 24 FPS
* Use GIF instead of MP4

Shorter Arcades = stronger performance and smaller files.

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### Are closed captions included?

*Not yet.*\
Video exports don’t include closed captions — but platforms like YouTube will auto-generate them. Support for caption embedding may come in the future.

### I started my export, but its stuck on "Generating", what do I do?

If your export is stuck, you can try duplicating the Arcade and exporting again.

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### Why does my export spend too long on the first step/chapter step?

If your export is spending too long on the first step, it’s usually because the first chapter step is not set to autoplay. As a result, the export can linger on that step for an extended period, often 10+ seconds, before moving forward.

To correct the timing and ensure a smoother playback:

* Set the chapter step to autoplay
* Re-export your video or GIF after making the change

This will ensure the export progresses naturally to the next step without unnecessary delay.