Export and Compare Disk Usage Reports
Save a project or archive drive's usage as spreadsheet-friendly CSV or a hierarchical JSON report. Understand the scope before comparing the numbers.
A scan report can help record project growth, inspect an archive drive, or compare a folder before and after organizing it. DiskTreeSize exports CSV, a row-based format for spreadsheets, and JSON, a hierarchical data format for programs.
Both formats require optional Pro access or an active trial. Free scanning and folder analysis do not require Pro.
Choose the format for the task
| Task | Format | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Sort or compare paths in Numbers or Excel | CSV | One exported item per row, with path, type, and size columns |
| Read directory structure in your own script | JSON | A tree, plus an available scan summary |
| Inventory every file | Check scope and export limits first | Neither format guarantees complete coverage |
Reports record scan results. They do not contain file contents and cannot restore removed files.
Analyze, then save
- Click Choose Location, select the project or folder, and start analysis.
- Wait for completion. If the displayed results were restored from a previous scan, click Rescan and wait first.
- Open Export → Export CSV… or Export JSON… in the toolbar.
- Choose a save location and a useful name, such as
project-before-2026-10-03.csv. - Open the file and verify its root path, size fields, and relevant entries.
Export is unavailable without scan data. A Pro prompt requires purchased access or a valid trial. You can choose a 30-day trial on the first Pro request; it does not automatically charge you when it ends.
Export begins at the current scan root. Selecting a child in the tree does not narrow the report to it. To record one project, select that project with Choose Location and analyze it separately.
Read the CSV columns
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
Path / Name |
Actual path and item name |
Type |
File, folder, or symlink; a symlink points to another location |
Size (bytes) |
Logical size in bytes |
Allocated (bytes) |
File system allocated space in bytes |
Files / Folders |
File and folder counts recorded by the app |
Last Modified |
Formatted modification time |
Export keeps numeric byte values rather than the interface's automatic units. For decimal GB in a spreadsheet, divide by 1000000000 and label the new column. See the size measurement guide.
Do not sum every size row. A folder includes its descendants, which also have their own report rows. Adding parent and child totals counts the same usage again. Compare items with the same parent or the before-and-after values for one matching path.
Understand the JSON structure
The tree includes names, paths, directory flags, logical and allocated sizes, counts, and modification times. children represents exported descendants. When a scan summary is available, summary includes scanned counts, sizes, skipped items, and duration.
This records a scan rather than continuously monitoring files. It is not a content backup. After changing a directory, rescan and export again.
Check depth and quantity limits
The current exporter reaches up to five levels below the scan root, reads up to 10000 children per directory, and controls overall quantity. CSV is capped at 200000 rows. Large or deeply nested folders should not be treated as completely inventoried by a report.
To capture a deeper project, choose it as a new scan root and export separately. Access permissions still apply, and skipped files are not reconstructed. Verify that the saved file contains the paths needed for your comparison.
Compare before and after manually
Keep the same drive, root location, and measurement for both scans. Save separate CSV files, match Path values, and compare the same size column. DiskTreeSize currently has no automatic report comparison.
For example, after organizing project exports, compare that project's Allocated (bytes) value, then check actual available disk space. A report difference is not a promise of recovered capacity or a reconstruction of macOS System Data.
Reports contain real paths and names. The app's user-home display replacement setting affects the interface only; it does not automatically replace report paths. Review names and paths before sharing a report.
Frequently asked questions
Does CSV or JSON export require Pro?
Yes, Pro access or an active trial is required. Free scanning and analysis remain available. Open the toolbar's Export menu and choose where to save the report.
Does export use only the folder selected in the tree?
No. It begins at the current scan root, not the selected tree item. To report on one project alone, choose that project as the analysis location before exporting.
Is the report a complete inventory of every file?
Not necessarily. Export reaches up to five levels below the root, reads up to 10000 children per directory, and has overall quantity limits. Scan access also limits coverage. Choose a deeper folder as a new scan root if needed.
Can DiskTreeSize compare two reports automatically?
The current version has no automatic report comparison. Rescan the same location, save separate CSV files, and compare matching paths manually in a spreadsheet.
