The Problem: Instagram Doesn't Let You Export Reels Data
Instagram Insights shows you basic metrics for each Reel, but there's no way to export that data. If you want to track performance over time, create reports for clients, or analyze trends across dozens of Reels, you're stuck manually copying numbers into a spreadsheet.
For creators managing multiple accounts, agencies tracking client performance, or anyone trying to understand what content works, this means hours of tedious manual work. And even then, you're only getting surface-level metrics like views and likes.
IShort solves this by automatically collecting your complete Reels data and exporting it in formats you can actually use: CSV files for Excel, or clipboard export for Google Sheets.
How IShort's Export Feature Works
IShort is a Chrome extension that collects comprehensive data from your Instagram Reels as you browse. Here's how to export your data:
- Install IShort from the Chrome Web Store (free)
- Visit any Instagram profile's Reels tab (yours or anyone else's public profile)
- Scroll through the Reels to let IShort collect the data automatically
- Click the IShort extension icon in your Chrome toolbar
- Choose your export method:
- CSV Export - Downloads a .csv file to your computer
- Copy to Clipboard - Copies tab-separated data that pastes directly into Google Sheets
Export Speed: Exporting is instant. The data is already collected as you scroll through Instagram, so clicking Export CSV or Copy to Clipboard happens immediately.
CSV Export vs. Clipboard Export
| Export Method | Best For | Data Format | Caption Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSV Export | Excel, Numbers, data analysis tools | .csv file download | Truncated to 200 characters |
| Copy to Clipboard | Google Sheets, quick sharing | Tab-separated (TSV) | Truncated to 100 characters |
CSV Export Details
When you click "Export CSV", IShort generates a downloadable .csv file with this filename format:
reels_{account}_{timestamp}.csv
For example: reels_natgeo_2026-02-13.csv
The CSV includes these columns in order: URL, Caption (200 chars), Views, Likes, Comments, Duration, Engagement %, Date, Hashtags, Music.
Clipboard Export Details
When you click "Copy to Clipboard", IShort copies your data in tab-separated format. You can paste it directly into Google Sheets or Excel, and it will populate across columns automatically.
After copying, you'll see "Copied!" confirmation for 1 second. Captions are truncated to 100 characters (with newlines removed) to keep spreadsheet cells readable.
19 Data Points Exported Per Reel
IShort doesn't just export views and likes. It captures 19 comprehensive data points for every Reel, giving you a complete picture of performance:
| Data Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Views | Total number of views |
| Likes | Total number of likes |
| Comments | Total number of comments |
| Shares | Number of times shared |
| Saves | Number of times saved |
| Caption | Full caption text |
| Timestamp | Date and time posted |
| Duration | Video length in seconds |
| Thumbnail URL | Link to Reel thumbnail image |
| Video URL | Direct link to video file |
| Reel URL | Instagram post URL |
| Shortcode | Instagram's unique Reel identifier |
| Hashtags | List of hashtags used |
| Mentions | List of accounts mentioned |
| Video Dimensions | Width and height in pixels |
| Audio Type | Original audio or licensed music |
| Music Title | Name of audio track |
| Music Artist | Artist/creator of audio |
| Pin Status | Whether Reel is pinned to profile |
This level of detail lets you answer questions like: Do Reels with licensed music perform better than original audio? What's the optimal video duration for your niche? Which hashtags correlate with higher engagement?
Export Limits by Plan
| Plan | Export Limit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | First 100 Reels | $0 |
| Hobby | First 10,000 Reels | $4.99/month |
| Creator | Unlimited | $9.99/month |
| Agency | Unlimited | $24.99/month |
Note: The export limit applies to how many Reels are included in each export file, not how many times you can export. You can export as many times as you want on any plan.
Real Use Cases for Exporting Instagram Reels Data
Client Reporting
Export data monthly to create performance reports for clients. Show them exactly which content drives results, with real numbers to back it up.
Content Audits
Export all your Reels from the past 6 months and analyze patterns. What topics get the most engagement? What posting times work best?
Trend Tracking
Export weekly to track how your metrics change over time. See if your engagement rate is improving or if certain content types are declining.
Team Sharing
Export to CSV and share with your team for collaborative analysis. Everyone can filter and sort the data in their preferred tool.
Competitive Analysis
Export data from competitor profiles to benchmark your performance. See what types of content work in your niche.
Hashtag Research
Export data and filter by hashtags to see which ones correlate with higher views and engagement for your content.
Step-by-Step: How to Export Your Instagram Reels Data
Step 1: Install IShort
Visit the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome". IShort is free to install and works immediately.
Step 2: Navigate to Instagram Reels
Go to instagram.com and visit any profile's Reels tab. This works on your own profile or any public account. The URL should look like: instagram.com/username/reels/
Step 3: Scroll to Collect Data
IShort automatically collects data as you scroll through the Reels grid. Scroll down until you've loaded all the Reels you want to export. The extension icon will show a badge with the number of Reels collected.
Step 4: Open IShort Extension
Click the IShort icon in your Chrome toolbar (top-right corner of browser). The popup will show all collected Reels in a sortable table.
Step 5: Choose Export Method
Click either:
- "Export CSV" - Downloads a .csv file to your Downloads folder
- "Copy to Clipboard" - Copies tab-separated data, then open Google Sheets and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac)
Step 6: Analyze Your Data
Open the exported file in Excel, Google Sheets, or your preferred spreadsheet tool. You can now sort, filter, create charts, and analyze patterns across all your Reels.
Export Your Instagram Reels Data in 30 Seconds
No manual copying. No API setup. Just install IShort, scroll through your Reels, and export. Works on your account or any public profile.
Install IShort FreeWhat You Can Learn from Exported Data
Once you have your Reels data in a spreadsheet, you can run analyses that aren't possible inside Instagram Insights:
Correlation Analysis
Do longer Reels get more views or less? Do certain hashtags drive higher engagement? Sort your exported data by different columns to find patterns.
Time Series Trends
Export monthly and track how your average engagement rate changes over time. Are you improving? Stagnating? Declining?
Content Type Breakdown
Filter by audio type to compare original audio vs. licensed music performance. Or filter by duration ranges to find your optimal video length.
Outlier Identification
Sort by views to find your top performers. What made those Reels successful? Can you replicate the topic, hook, or format?
Hashtag Performance
Group Reels by specific hashtags and compare average engagement. Which hashtags should you use more often? Which ones don't work?
Export vs. Instagram's Native Data Download
Instagram offers a "Download Your Information" feature in settings, but it's not designed for analytics. Here's how IShort's export compares:
| Feature | IShort Export | Instagram Data Download |
|---|---|---|
| Export Speed | Instant | Up to 48 hours wait |
| Format | Clean CSV/TSV ready for analysis | JSON files requiring technical parsing |
| Metrics Included | 19 data points including engagement | Basic post data, no metrics |
| Works on Other Profiles | Yes (any public account) | No (only your own data) |
| Ease of Use | One click | Multiple steps, technical knowledge required |
Privacy & Data Security
IShort only collects publicly visible data from Instagram. It doesn't access your Instagram password, DMs, or any private information. All data is stored locally in your browser, not on external servers.
When you export to CSV, the file is saved directly to your computer. Clipboard export copies data to your system clipboard. IShort never uploads your data anywhere.
If you're exporting data from other accounts for competitive analysis, you're only collecting information that's already publicly visible to anyone who visits that Instagram profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I export my Instagram Reels data?
Install the IShort Chrome extension, visit your Instagram Reels tab, let it collect your Reels as you scroll, then click "Export CSV" or "Copy to Clipboard" in the extension popup. CSV downloads a .csv file to your computer. Clipboard copies tab-separated data that pastes directly into Google Sheets or Excel.
What data points does IShort export for each Reel?
IShort exports 19 data points per Reel: Views, Likes, Comments, Shares, Saves, Caption, Timestamp, Duration, Thumbnail URL, Video URL, Reel URL, Shortcode, Hashtags, Mentions, Video dimensions, Audio type, Music title, Music artist, and Pin status.
Is there a limit to how many Reels I can export?
Free plan: First 100 Reels. Hobby plan: First 10,000 Reels. Creator and Agency plans: Unlimited exports.
Can I export data from other people's Instagram accounts?
Yes, IShort works on any public Instagram profile. Visit their Reels tab, scroll to collect data, and export. This is useful for competitor analysis, client reporting, or researching content in your niche.
What file format is the CSV export?
Standard .csv (comma-separated values) format that opens in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, and any spreadsheet application. The filename format is: reels_{account}_{date}.csv
How is clipboard export different from CSV export?
Clipboard export copies tab-separated data directly to your clipboard, which you can paste into Google Sheets or Excel without downloading a file. It's faster for quick analysis. CSV export downloads a file to your computer, which is better for archiving or sharing.
Does IShort export Instagram Stories or Posts data?
Currently, IShort focuses exclusively on Reels. It doesn't export data for Stories, carousel posts, or single-image posts.
Can I automate exports on a schedule?
Not yet. You need to manually trigger each export. However, exporting is instant (one click), and you can export as frequently as you want.
Will Instagram ban me for using IShort to export data?
No. IShort only reads publicly visible data that Instagram already shows in your browser. It doesn't violate Instagram's Terms of Service. Thousands of creators use IShort daily without issues.