TITLE: How to Download SEC Filings and Exhibits from EDGAR
SEO DESCRIPTION: Learn how to download SEC filings and exhibits from EDGAR, including main documents, filing index pages, exhibit files, XBRL data and complete filing packages.
How to Download SEC Filings and Exhibits from EDGAR
SEC EDGAR lets users download not only the main filing document, but also exhibits, data files and complete filing packages. This matters because the main filing often summarizes the disclosure, while the exhibits may contain the contracts, agreements, certifications, financial data or transaction documents that support the filing. For serious research, downloading the full filing package is usually better than saving only the first page.
Start by finding the correct company or filer in EDGAR. Use the company name, ticker or CIK, then filter by filing type and date. After selecting the filing, open the filing detail or filing index page. This page usually shows the form type, filing date, report date, accession number, company CIK and a document table listing the main filing and related attachments.
The main document is usually the first HTML file in the table. For example, it may be a Form 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, S-1, DEF 14A, Form D or Schedule 13D. You can open the document in the browser and save it as HTML or PDF using the browser’s save or print function. However, saving only the visible page may miss attached exhibits and machine-readable data.
The exhibit list is where many important source documents appear. Exhibits may include merger agreements, credit agreements, employment contracts, underwriting agreements, auditor consents, bylaws, certificates, legal opinions, asset-backed securities documents or prospectus supplements. To download an exhibit, open the exhibit file from the document table and save it separately with a clear filename.
Some filings include XBRL or Inline XBRL data. These files are useful for structured financial analysis because they tag financial statement information in a machine-readable format. EDGAR may show files such as XML, XSD, calculation links, definition links, label files or inline documents. Casual readers may not need every XBRL file, but analysts working with company facts or financial data should preserve them.
For a complete record, use the “complete submission” text file when available. This file may include the full filing submission in a single text document, including headers and submitted documents. It is useful for archiving, source verification and parsing. The complete submission may look less readable than the HTML version, but it often preserves important filing metadata.
File naming is important. A good naming system includes the company name, form type, filing date and accession number. For example: CompanyName_10-K_2026-03-01_0000000000-26-000001. For exhibits, add the exhibit number or description. Clear file names help prevent confusion when comparing original filings, amendments and multiple submissions from the same company.
When downloading amended filings, keep the original and amended versions separate. A Form 10-K/A, S-1/A or 13D/A is not the same filing as the original version. It has its own accession number and may change only part of the disclosure. Downloading both versions allows you to compare what changed and avoid relying on outdated or corrected information.
Key points:
- EDGAR filings often include main documents, exhibits and data files.
- The filing index page is the best starting point for downloads.
- The main filing document may not contain every important source document.
- Exhibits can include contracts, agreements, legal opinions and transaction documents.
- XBRL files are useful for structured financial data analysis.
- The complete submission file can help preserve the full filing package.
- File names should include company name, form type, filing date and accession number.
- Original filings and amendments should be downloaded and stored separately.