Exporting Axure prototypes is an essential skill for every product manager and UX designer. This guide will walk you through the entire export process, helping you quickly master Axure export techniques.

Why Export Axure Prototypes?

Before diving into the technical details, let's understand why we need to export Axure prototypes:

  • Team Collaboration: Share designs with team members who don't have Axure installed
  • Client Presentation: Demonstrate interactive prototypes to clients
  • User Testing: Deploy prototypes for user testing and feedback
  • Archive Management: Save project milestones for future reference

Step 1: Prepare Your Prototype

Before exporting, ensure your prototype is complete:

  1. Check all page links are functioning correctly
  2. Verify interactive elements work as expected
  3. Review and organize page names and structure
  4. Test on different screen sizes if responsive

Step 2: Choose Export Method

Axure RP offers several export options:

HTML Export (Recommended)

This is the most common and versatile method:

  1. Open your Axure RP project
  2. Click "Publish" in the top menu or press F8
  3. Select "Generate HTML Files"
  4. Choose export location and settings
  5. Click "Generate" to start the export process

Axure Cloud Publishing

For quick sharing with team members:

  1. Click "Publish" → "Publish to Axure Cloud"
  2. Sign in to your Axure Cloud account
  3. Set project name and access permissions
  4. Click "Publish" to upload

Step 3: Configure Export Settings

Optimize your export with these important settings:

Basic Settings

  • Output Directory: Choose where to save exported files
  • File Name: Name your prototype appropriately
  • Include Notes: Option to include annotations and notes

Advanced Options

  • Generate Type: Choose between "HTML Prototype" or "Specification"
  • Mobile/Device: Optimize for specific devices
  • Password Protection: Add security to your prototype
  • Plugins: Include or exclude Axure viewer plugins

Step 4: Test Your Export

After exporting, always test your prototype:

  1. Open the index.html file in a web browser
  2. Test all interactive elements and page transitions
  3. Check on multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
  4. Test on mobile devices if applicable

Common Export Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: Images Not Displaying

Solution: Ensure all image files are in the correct directory structure. Keep the entire export folder together when moving files.

Issue 2: Interactions Not Working

Solution: Check that JavaScript is enabled in the browser. Some browsers block local file scripts - consider hosting online instead.

Issue 3: Large File Size

Solution: Optimize images before importing to Axure. Consider using web-optimized formats and compress when possible.

Issue 4: Slow Loading

Solution: Break large prototypes into smaller sections. Remove unused widgets and optimize resource files.

Best Practices for Exporting

  • Version Control: Include version numbers in export file names
  • Documentation: Include a README file with navigation instructions
  • Compression: ZIP exported files for easy sharing
  • Hosting: Use services like Axure Viewer for easy online sharing
  • Backup: Keep copies of both .rp source files and exports

Sharing Your Exported Prototype

Once exported, you have several options for sharing:

Option 1: Email

ZIP the export folder and send via email. Good for small prototypes and limited distribution.

Option 2: Cloud Storage

Upload to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. Share the link with stakeholders.

Option 3: Web Hosting

Upload to a web server or use Axure Viewer for instant online hosting. This provides the best user experience with no downloads required.

Conclusion

Mastering Axure export techniques will significantly improve your workflow efficiency. Whether you're sharing with team members, presenting to clients, or conducting user testing, proper export methods ensure your prototypes look and function exactly as intended.

Remember to always test your exports before sharing, and choose the sharing method that best fits your team's needs. For quick and easy online sharing, try Axure Viewer - no registration required!

Ready to Share Your Prototype?

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