5 Steps to Export Your Google Reader Data

You've heard the news. Google Reader will officially say "So, long" Monday. If you are a procrastinator like I am, you probably haven't taken any action on your Reader account. But now is the time! You don't want to lose your info!

Today's "How To" shows how to export your Google Reader data. This is a great option to have on hand if you don't know what program you want to use quite yet but want to make sure not to lose feeds. (If you DO know what program you'll use, you'll likely have the option to switch the data directly, i.e. go to the program site and see if there's an obvious "Import from Reader" option. I just don't know if that option will be available after July 1.) I'll go over basic steps for some programs tomorrow

OK, here goes:

If you don't know what program you want to use as a replacement for Google Reader:

Step 1: Sign into Reader and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Then click Reader settings.  (Gear icon = )

Step 2: In settings, click the "Import/Export" tab.

Step 3: Under "Export your information," click on the "Download your data through Takeout" link. (You can also go to https://www.google.com/takeout/#custom:reader directly.) Remember, you will have to enter your Google password again. 

Step 4: Once Takeout shows 100 percent, click the "Create Archive" button.

FYI Step: Takeout also provides these services for any Google product. Just click "Choose services" and select what information you'd like to export. 

Step 5: Takeout will prepare your data for download, and you'll see a screen like the one below. Click "Download" (and know where'll you save your file). You now have this data to upload later if needed.