How to generate a HAR file (4307354)

What’s a HAR file?

A HAR file is a HTTP archive. It is a file format used by HTTP session tools to export data that has been captured by the browser. This includes request and response headers, the body content, and page load times.

Why do we need/use a HAR file?

HAR files contain the content of the pages that your browser received while the HAR file was recording. This will often show us an error response that was sent by the server, and may give more information to us to track where the issue is in the code-base. It can also show us the time taken for different parts of the browser-to-server communication, so it can help with issues related to how fast (or slow) a page may load in a browser window.
Note: HAR files may contain sensitive data:

• The content of the pages received in your browser tab, while recording the HAR file/session.
• Cookies used, which might allow someone to impersonate you.
• All the information you submitted during the session, this might include some personal details.

If you have any questions about what is included, discuss that with the Customer Experience Team.

How do I generate a HAR file?

The steps vary from browser to browser. Please see the section below appropriate to your browser.  These steps are applicable to desktop browsers on both Windows and MacOS.

1. Open Developer tools (use F12 as a shortcut) and select the Network tab.
2. Browse to the URL that causes issues.
3. After duplicating the issue, click on Export as HAR followed by Save As….

1. In Safari, ensure a Develop menu appears at the top of the browser window. Otherwise, go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and select Show Develop Menu in menu bar
2. Navigate to Develop > Show Web Inspector.
3. Browse to the URL that causes issues.
4. Ctrl + click on a resource within Web Inspector and click Export HAR.

1. From the application menu, select Tools > Web Developer > Network or press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+I (OS X).
2. Browse to the URL that causes issues.
3. After duplicating the issue, right-click and choose Save All As HAR.

1. In a browser page, right-click anywhere and select Inspect Element.
2. The developer tools either appear at the bottom or left side of the browser. Click the Network tab.
3. Check Preserve log.
4. Click record.
5. Browse to the URL that causes issues. Once the issue is experienced, right click on any of the items within the Network tab and select Save all as HAR with Content.

What’s next?

Once the HAR file has been generated, it’s good practice to zip the file and send it to Support.
 

More information

Google has a great page that allows a HAR file to be analyzed.