I'd say that exporting/importing generally refers to a change in file format
from/to an application, or the movement of data in or out of an application
for the purposes of manipulation in some other way. I.E., you export your
contact list from your webmail into a .csv file so you can import it into
your mail application.

Uploading/downloading implies that the thing remains a discrete object in
its original form. E.g. you download an add-on to be used as intended, or yu
upload an image to be viewed by others in it's original form

Does that help?

~N~

Nicole Maron
Maron UX Consulting

On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 8:40 AM, Laurie Roshak <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Are there any guidelines on when to use export vs. download for a button
> label in a Web application? How about import vs. upload?
>
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