How should an Anki import file be structured?
A simple Anki text import has one note per line and one field per column. For a basic question-and-answer flashcard, two fields are enough: the question and its answer. A consistent separator, such as a tab, comma, or semicolon, keeps the fields apart. The file must be plain text saved in UTF-8 encoding.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
A minimal semicolon-separated line could read: “What is an isotope?;Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons”. During import, the first field can go on the front and the second on the back of the note. A header row is not always necessary. Anki also supports file headers when you want to specify column names or import settings explicitly.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
Should I use CSV or TXT?
CSV is a text file whose fields are separated by a delimiter. TXT works too when it follows the same plain-text structure. Anki can read commas, semicolons, and tabs in text files; the file extension alone does not guarantee which delimiter was used. What matters is that every data row follows the same column pattern.
Spreadsheet programs may export a different separator depending on your regional settings. Check the saved file or Anki’s import preview after exporting. If a row appears as a single field, the detected separator is wrong. You can change it in the import options and inspect the preview again before importing the full collection.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
Which columns does a flashcard note need?
A basic note needs a question and an answer. A third column can hold a tag or category. In the import dialog, map each file column to a field in the selected note type. Additional columns are not automatically useful: Anki infers the field count from the first non-commented data row and ignores extra content in later rows.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
A tag helps you filter notes later, but it does not replace a content field on the card. If a note type creates more than one card from a note, check the preview to see which fields appear on each side. This catches cases where a column imports successfully but is not displayed by the selected card template.
| File column | Example content | Possible mapping |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What does half-life describe? | Front |
| 2 | Time for half the original amount to decay. | Back |
| 3 | Radioactivity | Tags, if selected |
Why are special characters or line breaks missing?
Accented letters and other non-Latin characters can look wrong if the file was saved with an encoding other than UTF-8. The Anki manual lists UTF-8 as a requirement for text imports. If your spreadsheet asks about encoding during export, check that setting. Use the import preview to inspect accented words, symbols, and formulas before processing the entire file.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
A field that contains a line break or the separator itself needs to be escaped. Anki accepts quoted fields; a double quote inside a quoted field must be doubled. You can also use HTML line breaks if the option to allow HTML in fields is enabled. Try either format with a few sample rows first, because a preview can reveal a misplaced quote or broken column immediately.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
How can I check the file before importing it?
Start with a small sample or inspect the import preview before importing a large collection. Check that the question appears on the front and the answer on the back. Look for blank fields, line breaks, delimiters, and special characters. If the first row contains column headings, decide whether to handle it as a header or mark it as a comment so it does not become a note.
Confirm the selected note type and destination deck too. The import screen lets you change the mapping. For text imports, Anki normally uses the first field to identify an existing note of the same type. Depending on the duplicate option, a match may update an existing note, be ignored, or be imported as a new one.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
What happens to notes that already exist?
In text imports, the first field is normally used to find an existing note of the same type. Anki’s import screen lets you choose whether to update that note, ignore the duplicate, or add another copy. If you import the same file repeatedly, review this setting carefully. An unexpected choice can create duplicates or change the contents of notes you already use.Source Anki project (2026). Text Files. Anki Manual. docs.ankiweb.net · in the sources list
A CSV file usually contains text fields, but it does not automatically include every property of an Anki deck. Media, card templates, and review history are separate parts of a collection. When moving between learning apps, check what the specific import method actually transfers. Our article on Anki and its different editions explains the product context, while the guide to useful practice feedback covers how to review answers after importing questions.
What should I do after the import?
A valid text file is only the first step. Write one clear question per note, keep the answer focused, and check terminology and source references. If an answer contains several independent claims, splitting it often makes it clearer what you are expected to recall. That also makes it easier to rate your confidence honestly during a review.
Before exporting a new collection, build a small group of examples and walk through the mapping once. The article on how many flashcards to study each day explains why an imported total is not the same as a suitable daily workload. Our guide to learning from multiple-choice feedback covers another practice format. Quanta lists the supported formats and process on its flashcard import page; the flashcard app overview describes the subsequent study view.