Chatter: How to Retrieve and Export Chatter Messages Using Data Loader for Admin Compliance

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following permissions are enabled on the administrator's profile or permission set:

• Manage Chatter Messages — Allows the admin to view and delete all users' Chatter messages.
• API Enabled — Required for Data Loader connectivity.

Note: Standard Profiles in Salesforce cannot be edited directly. If you are using a Standard Profile, first clone the profile, then edit the cloned version to add these permissions. Alternatively, assign the permissions via a Permission Set.

Step 1: Export Chatter Messages Using Data Loader

1. Open Data Loader on your computer.
2. Click Export.
3. Log in to Data Loader with your Salesforce credentials.
4. Check Show all Salesforce Objects to display all available objects.
5. Select Chatter Message from the object list.
6. Choose the file path and name for the exported CSV file.
7. Click Next.
8. Select all desired query fields (such as SenderId, Body, CreatedDate, etc.).
9. Click Finish.

The exported CSV file contains the full history of Chatter messages between users in your organization.

Additional Notes

• Mass deletion of Chatter messages can only be performed via the Salesforce API, not through the UI.
• If the Manage Chatter Messages permission is not available on the System Administrator standard profile, assign it via a Permission Set instead.