Import
Move from Notion to Readbird
Notion exports pages as a ZIP of Markdown files. Readbird reads it: every page becomes a note with its headings, lists, checklists and links, and pictures can come along. Databases are the exception.
How the move works
In Notion you export a page or the whole workspace in the “Markdown & CSV” format and download the ZIP. Give it to Readbird without unpacking: big workspaces arrive as a ZIP of several ZIPs, and Readbird opens those itself.
Each Notion page becomes one note in the Notes section. Text, headings, lists and checklists keep their shape, and everything is searchable. Notes can also be shared with others and edited together.
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How to move your Notion pages
Notion’s export is a ZIP with one Markdown file per page, sub-pages as their own files, pictures in folders and databases as CSV tables. Readbird recognises it by the file names Notion writes.
How to move the file
- In Notion export a page, or the whole workspace, as “Markdown & CSV” and include sub-pages. Download the ZIP.
- Open Readbird, choose “Add content” and go to the “Move everything to Readbird” block.
- Pick the ZIP as it is. Leave “Transfer note images” on if you want your pictures to come along.
- Wait for the report: how many notes were found, imported and skipped, and why — including how many databases were left out.
What moves over from Notion and what does not
| What | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pages | Moves over | Each page becomes a note. The title comes from the page name; the ID Notion appends to file names is cut off. An empty page arrives as an empty note with its title. |
| Text and structure | Moves over | Headings (down to three levels), bullet and numbered lists, checklists with their ticked state, quotes, links, bold, italic and strikethrough. |
| Sub-pages | Partly | Each sub-page arrives as a separate note. The parent–child tree itself is not carried over. |
| Tables and code blocks | Partly | They arrive as plain lines of text, without table or code formatting. |
| Databases | Does not move | Databases are exported as CSV tables and are not turned into notes. The report counts how many were left out. |
| Pictures | Partly | Pictures from the export are moved when the option is on, up to 20 per note. Other files (PDFs and so on) are not. |
| Dates | Does not move | Notion’s files carry no creation date, so imported notes get the date of the import. |
Limits to know about
- A ZIP can be up to 256 MB with pictures on, 64 MB without them. Up to 40 ZIPs inside it are opened; if there are more, the report says so and you load the rest separately.
- One note keeps up to about 120 KB of text; a longer one is cut and the report counts it.
- The Notes list loads up to 5,000 notes and draws the first 500, then more as you scroll or tap “Show more”. If the import takes you above 5,000, the report says how many of the oldest are not visible in the list; they stay saved and are included in the export.
- Import the same ZIP again and nothing is doubled: notes already in Readbird are recognised and skipped.
Import
Questions about moving from Notion
Which export format should I choose in Notion?
“Markdown & CSV”, with sub-pages included. HTML and PDF exports are not read.
What happens to my databases?
They are not turned into notes: Notion exports them as CSV tables. The report says how many were left out. If the export also holds the pages of a database as Markdown files, those arrive as notes.
Why do my notes have the date of the import?
Notion’s Markdown files do not carry creation dates, so there is nothing to keep. The notes are dated by the moment you imported them.
Does importing cost anything?
No. Import is free, and so is leaving: one button in Settings exports everything you have in Readbird.
Switching
Bring your pages over
Start with the import window, or simply write your first note.