# Export: Protobuf

> Export a data contract to a Protobuf schema.

#  Export: Protobuf

Converts the data contract to a [Protocol Buffers](https://protobuf.dev/) schema.

{/* AUTOGENERATED EXAMPLE: do not edit by hand; regenerate with the update script. */}

```bash
datacontract export protobuf orders.odcs.yaml --output orders.proto
```

Running this against the [example `orders` contract](https://github.com/datacontract/datacontract-cli/blob/main/examples/orders/orders.odcs.yaml) produces:

```protobuf
syntax = "proto3";

package example;

// One row per customer order.
message Orders {
  // Unique identifier of the order.
  string order_id = 1;
  // Timestamp when the order was placed.
  string order_timestamp = 2;
  // Reference to the customer who placed the order.
  string customer_id = 3;
  // Total amount of the order in cents.
  double order_total = 4;
  // Current fulfilment status of the order.
  string status = 5;
}

// One row per line item within an order.
message LineItems {
  // Unique identifier of the line item.
  string line_item_id = 1;
  // Reference to the parent order.
  string order_id = 2;
  // Stock keeping unit of the purchased product.
  string sku = 3;
  // Number of units purchased.
  int32 quantity = 4;
}
```

{/* END AUTOGENERATED EXAMPLE */}

## Configuration

You can customize the generated Protobuf package name using the data contract's `customProperties`:

```yaml
kind: DataContract
apiVersion: v3.1.0
id: my-contract
version: 1.0.0
customProperties:
  - property: protoPackageName
    value: com.example.mydata
schema:
  - name: Orders
    properties:
      # ... fields ...
```

### Supported Properties

- **`protoPackageName`** (optional) — The package name for the generated Protobuf file. Defaults to `"example"` if not specified.

All options: **[`datacontract export protobuf`](../commands/export/protobuf.md)**.