Support guide - anki import not working

Anki import troubleshooting in Deckbase

When import fails, use this decision path to isolate format, mapping, or content issues quickly and recover without starting over.

Deckbase8 min read

When to use this workflow

For learners and teams who already attempted migration and need a repeatable process to diagnose and fix import errors.

Treat this as an operational migration process, not just a one-time file upload. The goal is not only successful import, but better review consistency and lower card maintenance overhead in the weeks after switching.

Pre-import checklist

  • A sample of failed rows or cards for debugging.
  • Access to original source file and export settings.
  • A pilot deck where fixes can be tested safely.

If one checklist item fails, fix it before import. Upstream cleanup is faster than repairing hundreds of cards after migration.

Step-by-step migration flow

  1. 1
    Check file integrity first: encoding, delimiter, and row consistency.
  2. 2
    Validate field mapping in preview mode with sample rows.
  3. 3
    Identify whether errors are global (format) or local (specific rows).
  4. 4
    Apply targeted fixes and rerun a small pilot import.
  5. 5
    Only after pilot success, retry full import batch.

Common errors and fixes

Skipping preview mapping

Always run preview and verify representative rows before full import.

Editing source manually in multiple tools

Use one source of truth file and track versioned fixes.

Retrying full file repeatedly

Switch to small pilot batches to isolate root cause faster.

No post-import review check

Run one real review session to confirm practical card quality.

Use a small pilot deck after each fix. If pilot quality holds, apply the same correction pattern to the full batch.

Example output quality checks

  • Pilot check: 10 cards across different tags and formats.
  • Validation check: one card with media, one with long text, one with symbols.
  • Outcome check: session completion and lapse rate after first review.

During QA, verify each sample card for clarity, atomicity, and answer precision. Avoid importing cards that only test wording without testing understanding.

A practical test: if you can answer accurately in under 10 seconds during review, the card is usually scoped well. If not, split or rewrite it.

FAQ

Should I restart from scratch after errors?

Usually no. Isolate root cause with a pilot file, fix, and retry.

What is the fastest debug loop?

Edit source once, run a tiny import, verify, then scale.

When should I change file format?

Switch format when persistent delimiter or encoding issues keep repeating.

Fix import failures with a controlled pilot loop

Use a small batch and recover cleanly before full migration.

Retry importReturn to CSV guide

Tip: for advanced workflows, keep your original export as backup and track each migration attempt by batch name and date.

Query intent targeted: anki import not working. This guide is reviewed as a practical migration workflow page, not a generic informational article.