Import your writing

Import is available in the desktop app. Open the library you want to import into before you begin.

Use Import documents… for individual .md, .markdown, or .txt files. Use Import folder… for an unpacked folder of Markdown documents with nested folders, local links, and referenced attachments.

If your writing app exports a ZIP archive, extract it first. PDF, Word, and HTML files are not supported by the individual document importer; export your writing as Markdown or plain text first. Keep the original export until you have checked the results.

1. Open the library name at the top of the sidebar.
2. Choose Import documents… and select one or more supported files.
3. Open the imported documents in your library and review the content. Ligature opens the last imported document.

Folder import creates a new folder in the active library and leaves the source files untouched. YAML tags become labels; frontmatter is also preserved in YAML code blocks. Inline hashtags remain text.

1. Open the library name and choose Import folder….
2. Choose Choose folder… and select your unpacked Markdown folder.
3. Review the document, folder, and attachment counts and any items to review.
4. Choose Import and wait for it to finish. Review the imported folder before removing your source export.

Check complex formatting, app-specific syntax, internal links, and images against your original export. Folder import brings in referenced attachments; do not assume a standalone Markdown file also imports neighboring assets.

Individual imports create new documents. If a title already exists, Ligature adds a numbered suffix rather than overwriting it. Repeating an import can create additional copies.

In the folder import dialog, expand items to review and use Copy report for details. A partial import is kept so you can inspect it. Undo import moves the imported items to the library’s trash and leaves the source folder unchanged.

If no documents are found, check that you selected an unpacked folder containing .md or .markdown files. Try a small folder first to check your export format. Remove private text and paths from a report before sending it to support.