# Canvas API

You can use the Canvas API to download the tables that you've built in Canvas programatically.

### 1. Create an API key

This step can only be done by a user with Owner permissions. Navigate to the [Settings](https://canvasapp.com/team_settings) page and click the `Create Key` button, then copy the generated key. This key is only generated one time and is not recoverable; however, you can create new keys.

**Important**: this key has permission to view the data associated with all tables on all canvases on the team. Control access to the key as such.

### 2. Get Canvas and Element IDs

Navigate to the canvas and table that you want to download. Open the three-dot menu on the table, and select `Share Element` (or click `⌥ + Shift + S`). This will copy a URL containing the canvas and element ID to your clipboard in the format `https://canvasapp.com/canvas/[canvasId]/element/[elementId]/new-canvas`\
Note down the IDs for the next step.

### 3. Write the API Call

In the language of your choice, call the API. The plain HTTP spec is:

```
POST /data/table HTTP/1.1
Host: api.canvasapp.com
x-api-key: [your_api_key]
Content-Type: application/json
{
    "canvasId": "[your_canvas_id]",
    "elementId": "[your_element_id]"
}
```

For Python:

```python
import requests
url = "https://canvasapp.com/api/data/table"
payload="{ \"canvasId\": \"[your_canvas_id]\", \"elementId\": \"[your_element_id]\" }"
headers = {
  'x-api-key': '[your_api_key]',
  'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
response = requests.request("POST", url, headers=headers, data=payload)
print(response.text)
```

For NodeJS:

```javascript
var axios = require('axios');
var data = JSON.stringify({"canvasId":"[your_canvas_id]","elementId":"[your_element_id]"});

var config = {
  method: 'post',
  url: 'https://canvasapp.com/api/data/table',
  headers: { 
    'x-api-key': '[your_api_key]', 
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  data : data
};

axios(config)
.then(function (response) {
  console.log(JSON.stringify(response.data));
})
.catch(function (error) {
  console.log(error);
});

```