Notion Import and Export
Import brings content from other apps into Notion. Export saves your Notion content out to a file on your computer. Both features matter when moving between tools or keeping a backup of your work.
Why Import and Export Matter
A team switching from another tool does not want to retype years of existing notes by hand. Import handles this transfer automatically in most cases. Export protects you from losing access to your data if you ever need a copy outside of Notion.
Importing Content
Open Settings and find the Import option in the menu. Choose the source app you are importing from, such as Evernote, Google Docs, or a plain CSV file. Notion converts the source content into pages and blocks automatically.
Common Import Sources
| Source | What Transfers |
|---|---|
| CSV File | Rows and columns become a database |
| Google Docs | Text and formatting become pages |
| Trello | Cards become database entries |
| Markdown Files | Text and headings become formatted pages |
Importing a CSV as a Database
A CSV file uses commas to separate columns of data, similar to a basic spreadsheet export. Notion reads the first row as column headers and each following row as a database entry. Column data types are guessed automatically, so review them afterward and correct any that were mismatched.
Exporting a Single Page
Open the page you want to export and click the three dots menu. Choose Export and select a file format, such as PDF, Markdown, or HTML. Notion generates a downloadable file containing that page's content.
Export Format Options
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Sharing a fixed, print-ready document | |
| Markdown | Moving content into another note-taking app |
| HTML | Publishing content on a website |
| CSV | Moving a database into a spreadsheet |
Exporting an Entire Workspace
Open Settings and find the Export All Workspace Content option. This creates a single compressed file containing every page you have access to. Use this method for a full backup rather than exporting pages one at a time.
Practical Example: Backing Up Before a Big Change
Export your full workspace before restructuring a large section of pages. Store this backup file somewhere safe outside of Notion. If the restructuring goes wrong, you have an exact snapshot of the previous state to reference.