The short answer: Use the encrypted proof pack when someone else must review scoped books with integrity and expiry. Treat CSV/PDF as plaintext exports that do not expire and do not carry the same guarantees.
Quick comparison
| Format | Best for | Risk note |
|---|---|---|
| Proof pack | Accountant / reviewer handoff | Scoped, encrypted, expiring — preferred share path |
| CSV | Your own spreadsheets | Plaintext, non-expiring |
| PDF summary | Printable overview | Plaintext, non-expiring |
Pick with intent
External review → proof pack
Someone else needs evidence without your vault. Pack wins.
Your Excel model → CSV
You are the only consumer and you accept plaintext on disk.
Printed packet → PDF
Use for summaries you are willing to leave in a folder forever.
Common mistakes
- Emailing CSV and calling it “the same as a pack.”
- Assuming PDF redacts memos you already exported in full.
- Reusing an old plaintext export after classifications changed.
Ready for Mac?
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