How to Automate Square Data Export (No API Required)

Introduction

Square's point-of-sale system generates valuable sales and transaction data. While Square offers API access, browser automation can complement or serve as an alternative for exporting comprehensive reports, accessing dashboard-only analytics, and automating regular data collection workflows.

Use Cases for Square Data Export Automation

• Daily Sales Reports: Automated daily export of sales summaries
• Inventory Reconciliation: Export inventory data for external systems
• Employee Performance Reports: Collect sales data by employee
• Tax Documentation: Generate tax-ready financial reports
• Multi-Location Aggregation: Collect data from multiple Square locations

Setting Up Square Automation

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const setupSquareSession = async () => {
  const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
      "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
      "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({'headless': false}),
  });

  const { id } = await response.json();
  const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

  const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
  const context = browser.contexts()[0];
  const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
  const page = context.pages()[0];

  await page.goto("https://squareup.com/login");
  
  return { page, ai };
};

Exporting Sales Reports

const exportSquareSalesReport = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  // Navigate to Reports
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Log in to Square and navigate to the Reports section'
  }));
  
  // Select sales report
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Select Sales Report and set the date range'
  }));
  
  // Configure report
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set date range from ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end} and include all locations`
  }));
  
  // Export
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click Export, select CSV format, and download the report'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Collecting Transaction Details

const collectTransactionDetails = async (page, ai) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to Transactions and filter to show all completed transactions'
  }));
  
  // Extract transaction data
  const transactions = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract transaction data including: transaction ID, date, amount, payment method, items, and customer information. Continue scrolling to collect all transactions.'
  }));
  
  return transactions;
};

Multi-Location Data Collection

const collectMultiLocationData = async (page, ai, locations) => {
  const locationData = {};
  
  for (const location of locations) {
    await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
      prompt: `Switch to location: ${location.name} and navigate to its reports`
    }));
    
    await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
      prompt: 'Export the sales summary report for this location'
    }));
    
    const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
    locationData[location.name] = await download.path();
  }
  
  return locationData;
};

Best Practices

• Schedule exports during off-peak hours
• Implement error handling for network issues
• Validate exported data completeness
• Use secure storage for credentials and data
• Respect Square's rate limits and terms of service

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser

Conclusion

Browser automation enables comprehensive Square data export workflows that complement or extend API capabilities, making it easier to collect, analyze, and integrate sales data into your business systems.