How to Import Your Anki Decks into Deckbase (CSV, Excel, and More)

Why migrate from Anki to Deckbase?

If you are searching for anki import or anki import csv, you likely want to migrate without losing progress or wrecking your review habit. Anki’s import system works, but it requires manual steps, format knowledge, and tolerance for edge cases. Deckbase is designed to accept the same formats Anki exports — CSV, TSV, and APKG-style packages — while offering a cleaner mobile experience and AI-assisted card creation built in.

Before you start, read the Deckbase Anki import hub for format-specific guides. The steps below give you the migration framework.

Before you import

Three rules that prevent most migration failures:

1. Keep source backups. Export each deck from Anki and store the original files before any cleanup. Never import from a file you’ve already edited.

2. Prioritize active decks. Focus first on decks you’ve reviewed in the last 30 days. Dormant decks can wait — they don’t carry urgent scheduling state.

3. Define your field mapping before bulk import. Know which Anki fields map to Deckbase front and back before you run a large batch. Template mismatches are the most common source of garbled cards.

Import paths

CSV migration

Best for field-level cleanup and spreadsheet-assisted normalization. Export from Anki as a tab-separated or comma-separated file, open in Excel or Google Sheets to clean up formatting, then import into Deckbase. This path gives you full control over field values before cards go into review.

Key points:

• Use UTF-8 encoding to preserve special characters and diacritics

• Keep one header row with field names matching your Deckbase template

• Strip HTML tags from cells unless Deckbase is configured to render them

See the Deckbase CSV import guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

APKG-style migration

Best for preserving packaged deck structure and fast transfer of large decks. Export from Anki as .apkg, then import into Deckbase. This path is faster but gives you less opportunity to clean individual cards before they enter review.

See the APKG import guide for format requirements and known edge cases.

Excel migration

If your cards live in a spreadsheet rather than Anki directly, export to CSV from Excel and follow the CSV path above. The Excel-to-Deckbase guide covers column formatting and common encoding issues.

Post-import quality checks

Import completion does not mean migration success. Run these checks before your first real review session:

• Card count matches source. Compare Anki deck count to Deckbase deck count. Any gap means lost cards.

• Front and back fields are not swapped. Review five random cards manually to confirm field mapping held.

• Media files are attached. Audio and images require separate handling in most import paths — verify at least one media card renders correctly.

• Run one real review session. Do not declare success until you have completed a live session and confirmed the scheduling feels correct.

Bulk migration strategy

If you have more than 10 active decks in Anki, do not migrate everything at once. Use the pilot approach:

1. Pick one high-priority deck (your most-reviewed topic in the last month)

2. Import it and review for one week

3. Evaluate lapse rate and session feel before migrating the next deck

The bulk migration guide covers this process in detail, including how to batch by topic rather than file size.

Not ready to migrate yet?

If you’re still evaluating whether to leave Anki, see the best Anki alternatives in 2026 for a feature-by-feature comparison across the main options. Deckbase is the only one with native FSRS scheduling, AI card creation, and a no-subscription iOS app.