How to Import an Anki Deck (.apkg)

Bring your Anki cards into Nebulearn without retyping them. The importer reads .apkg files from Anki Desktop and pulls front/back text, images, cloze deletions, and basic HTML formatting.

Log in or sign up free before you start. Then follow the steps below.

Before you start

• You need Anki Desktop (not just the mobile app) to export a deck package.
• Large decks with lots of images can take a minute to process.
• If you're switching from Anki for good, see how to change your study algorithm.

Step 1: Export from Anki Desktop

1. Open Anki Desktop on your computer.
2. Click the deck you want to move.
3. Go to File → Export.
4. Set Export format to Anki Deck Package (.apkg).
5. Turn OFF "Include scheduling information" (Nebulearn can't use Anki's schedule anyway).
6. Turn ON "Include media" if the deck has images or audio.
7. Click Export and save the file somewhere you can find it.

Step 2: Import into Nebulearn

1. Open the card editor with Import (or go to Create → Manual entry and click Import).
2. Choose Flashcards.
3. Select Anki Deck (.apkg).
4. Upload your .apkg file.
5. Wait for processing. Big decks take longer.
6. Review the imported cards in the editor. Delete junk, split huge cards if needed.
7. Save to a folder when you're happy.

Direct link: /create/editor?import=1

What gets imported

Anki feature	In Nebulearn
Front / back text	Yes
Embedded images	Yes
Cloze deletions	Converted to standard flashcards
HTML formatting	Cleaned up
Multiple note types	Merged into one editor list
Review intervals / ease	No (fresh FSRS schedule)

Common issues

"Nothing imported"

• Make sure the file ends in .apkg, not .colpkg or a text export.
• Re-export with Include media on if cards look empty.

Images missing

• Export again with media included. Anki packs images inside the .apkg zip.

Weird HTML or symbols

• The importer strips most Anki markup. Edit anything that looks wrong before you save.

Deck too big

• Split the deck in Anki first, or import in chunks if you hit storage limits on free.

After import

• Run a quick edit pass (same as any AI draft). See flashcard tips on the blog.
• Start reviewing so FSRS can schedule them: Study.

Switching from Anki entirely? You can keep Anki for one long-term deck and use Nebulearn for weekly PDFs. That's what a lot of people do.