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Public records requests for data come with their own unique set of challenges — from agencies that insist their databases can only export documents, to those that will only send a fraction of the fields that are disclosable under the law. We’ll give you tips on writing rock-solid public records request for data, and how to respond to the common excuses used to deny these requests. Topics will include: Common sources that prove the agency has a database and can export data; statute, case law and language to make it more likely you’ll receive data (versus a PDF, or even worse, scans of redacted printouts); how to negotiate the confidentiality issues that come with medical and educational data; and managing the mass FOIA request project. We’ll provide a sample data request, a few good war stories, and links to helpful resources.