For AI agents: the complete documentation index is available at https://docs.flashnerd.com/llms.txt, the full documentation bundle is available at https://docs.flashnerd.com/llms-full.txt, and this page is available as Markdown at https://docs.flashnerd.com/guide/import-export/flashnerd.md.
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Import Flashnerd files

There are two Flashnerd import workflows. Use Import from Home or SRS for an archive containing decks, sets, presets, or settings. Use Add Card inside a deck when you want to add or update cards against that deck's existing template.

To prepare a file yourself or with an AI tool, use the Flashnerd file format reference for archive structure, record definitions, field values, and validation rules. To generate cards for a deck you already have, use Cards-only files.

Import an archive

  1. Make the .flashnerd file available on your device.
  2. From Home or SRS, open the create menu and choose Import.
  3. Choose Flashnerd under Import From, then tap Upload File.
  4. Decide whether to enable Override existing. Keep it off for an independent copy.
  5. Tap Next and inspect Import Preview, including both Home and SRS content where present.
  6. Turn on Include study progress when the file contains schedules/history you want to restore. The option starts off.
  7. Review any warnings and tap Import.

A file can contain only settings or presets. In that case, the preview may say Settings only rather than showing decks.

Choose copy or override

ChoiceIntended use
Override existing offImport a separate copy with new identities. Useful for trying a shared deck without updating existing content.
Override existing onUpdate records whose stored identities match records already in your collection, while adding records without a match.

Matching is based on identities in the archive, not just names. Renaming a deck does not turn it into a new record. Importing as a copy repeatedly can create duplicates. Before overriding valuable content, export a backup.

For instruction presets, archives can restore both the preset catalog and a deck's selection if those were exported. Archives without selection information leave an existing deck selection unchanged.

Add cards to an existing deck

  1. Open the destination deck and tap Add Card.
  2. Choose the Flashnerd file import option.
  3. If you need a starting file, tap Download Starter Template. Fill its example card, duplicate the card line for additional cards, and keep the field IDs.
  4. Select the .flashnerd file under Flashnerd File.
  5. Set Override existing deliberately. With it enabled, matching cards already in this deck are updated and keep their study progress; unmatched cards are added.
  6. Tap Next, inspect the review cards, and make any required corrections.
  7. Tap Import Cards with the displayed count.

This workflow accepts a cards-only file using the destination's field IDs, or an ordinary archive containing cards from one source deck with a compatible template. Cards-only files omit deck records and every card's deckId; start with this deck's downloaded starter. The app rejects duplicate card IDs, extra or missing template fields, incompatible field types/sides, and updates targeting cards from another deck. Individual card values may be omitted to leave fields blank. Turning off override permits an independent copy rather than updating a foreign card.

If the template changes during preparation, select the file again so the import can be checked against the new template. A destination deck cannot grow beyond 20,000 cards.

For moving an entire collection, follow Back up and restore. For transferring a deck to someone else, see Export and share.