# Customize CDR Download Settings

A call detail record (CDR) is the log entry the system writes for every call, listing who called, who answered, when, and for how long. When you download CDR by hand from the Cloud Voice portal, the record list is exported as a CSV (comma-separated values) file unless you tell the system otherwise.

Download Settings let you decide, one time, exactly how much detail to include, which file type to produce, how call durations are shown, and which columns end up in the file. You would set these when the default CSV export does not give you the layout or detail you need, for example when you want a printable PDF or only a few columns.

:::note
These settings control how CDR is exported to a file. They do not change the call records the system keeps, so you can adjust them as often as you like without affecting your data.
:::

## Adjust your download preferences

1. Sign in to the Cloud Voice portal and open **Reports and Recordings > CDR**.
2. Open the **CDR (Advanced)** tab, click the **Download CDR** drop-down, and choose **Download Settings**.

   ![The Download CDR menu expanded with the Download Settings option highlighted](/images/pbx/cdr-download-settings.png)

3. In the dialog that appears, set your preferences.

   ![The download settings dialog with options for range, format, duration, and fields](/images/pbx/cdr-download-setup.png)

   Each option controls a different part of the export:

   | Setting | What it does |
   |---------|--------------|
   | **Range** | Chooses how much of the record data to include: **Only List**, **Only Call Leg Data**, **List & Call Legs Data**, or **List, Call Legs, and Timeline Data**. |
   | **File Format** | Sets the file type produced by the download: **CSV**, **XLS**, **PDF**, or **HTML**. |
   | **Duration Format** | Sets how every duration field is displayed, either **Display in Second (s)** or **Display as HH:MM:SS** (hours, minutes, seconds). |
   | **Fields to Export** | Determines the columns included: **Download All Fields**, or **Download Selected Fields** to pick specific columns. |

   :::note
   The Range option decides how much of each record goes into the file. **Only List** exports just the summary row for each call. The call leg options add the individual segments of a call: a call leg is one part of the call's path, such as the leg that reaches an automated menu and the leg that rings an extension. **List, Call Legs, and Timeline Data** also adds a step-by-step timeline of what happened during the call. The more you include, the larger and more detailed the file.
   :::

   :::tip
   Pick the file format that matches what you will do with the file. **CSV** and **XLS** open in spreadsheet apps and are best when you want to sort, filter, or run calculations on the data. **PDF** and **HTML** produce a fixed, ready-to-read report that is easier to share or print. CSV is the default and a safe choice if you are unsure.
   :::

   :::tip
   Leave **Fields to Export** on **Download All Fields** when you are not sure what you need. Switch to **Download Selected Fields** when you only want a few columns (for example, caller, time, and duration) to keep the file small and easy to read.
   :::

4. Click **Save**.

Your choices are saved and applied to every future manual download until you change them here again.

## Next step

[Download CDR from the Cloud Voice Portal](/pbx/administrator-guide/download-cdr-from-pbx-web-portal/).