# Exporting an enterprise application into an EAR file

Enterprise applications are deployed in the form of an EAR file. Use the Export wizard to export an enterprise application project into an EAR file for deployment.

To export an enterprise application project into an EAR file, complete the following steps:

1. In the Java™ EE perspective, click File > Export.
2. Under Select an export destination, click J2EE > EAR file, and then click Next.
3. In the EAR project list, select the enterprise application project you want to export.
4. In the Destination field, enter the full path and EAR file name where you want to export the enterprise application project that is selected in the EAR application field.
5. Optional: To export source files, select the Export source files check box.
6. Optional: If you are exporting to an existing EAR file and you do not want to be warned about overwriting it, select the Overwrite existing file check box.
7. Click Finish.

The wizard exports the contents of the EAR project to the specified EAR file. Additionally, for each project that corresponds to a module or utility JAR in the application, the project contents are exported into a nested module or JAR file in the EAR file. If any unsaved changes exist on any of the files in any of the referenced projects, you are prompted to save these files prior to export.

Related concepts
J2EE architecture
Enterprise application projects
Related tasks
Creating an enterprise application project
Importing an enterprise application EAR file