Troubleshooting Notion data import and export issues requires understanding common pitfalls, supported file formats, and structural dependencies. Notion supports imports from CSV, Markdown, Microsoft Word, HTML, and PDF (beta), as well as direct migrations from platforms like Confluence, Asana, and Trello ^[1]. However, users frequently encounter problems with broken backlinks, unsupported file types, or partial transfers—especially when dealing with large datasets or complex hierarchies. Exporting content is similarly prone to errors, particularly with formatting limitations (e.g., custom emojis in PDFs) or size constraints that trigger email-based delivery for large exports ^[6].

Key findings from the sources include:

• Backlink dependencies: Imports may fail if child pages lack explicit backlinks to parent pages, requiring manual preparation before migration ^[2].
• File format restrictions: Notion only supports specific formats (e.g., Markdown, CSV), and unsupported types like RTF will cause import failures ^[7].
• Size and complexity limits: Large databases (e.g., 1,000+ items) may crash during import or require chunking into smaller batches ^[8].
• Export workflows: Users can export pages as PDF, HTML, or CSV, but must account for limitations like missing custom emojis or delayed email delivery for large files ^[6].

Common Solutions for Notion Import and Export Problems

Preparing Data for Successful Import

Before importing data into Notion, ensure compatibility by verifying file formats and structural integrity. Notion officially supports imports from CSV, Markdown, Word, HTML, and PDF (beta), as well as direct migrations from tools like Asana, Confluence, and Trello ^[1]. However, unsupported formats or improperly structured data often trigger failures.

• Supported file types for direct import:
• CSV (from Excel or Google Sheets)
• Markdown (.md)
• Microsoft Word (.docx)
• HTML (for web content)
• PDF (beta, with text extraction but potential formatting loss) ^[1]
• Unsupported formats:
• Rich Text Format (RTF) ^[7]
• Proprietary note-taking formats (e.g., Evernote’s .enex without preprocessing)
• Structural requirements:
• For hierarchical data (e.g., nested pages), ensure every child page includes a backlink to its parent to prevent "page not found" errors during import. A Reddit user reported failures when migrating 1,000+ pages due to missing backlinks ^[2].
• For databases, split large datasets (e.g., 1,000+ items) into smaller chunks to avoid crashes. A Coda Community user resolved import failures by breaking their database into lists of 500–800 items ^[8].

For platform-specific migrations (e.g., Evernote to Notion), preprocess data by:

• Removing attachments, web clips, or tables, which frequently cause import stalls ^[10].
• Converting notes to Markdown or plain text if the original format isn’t supported ^[7].

Resolving Export Issues and Limitations

Exporting Notion content involves selecting formats (PDF, HTML, Markdown, CSV) and customizing options like subpage inclusion. However, users report delays, formatting inconsistencies, and size-related failures. The export menu is accessible via the ••• icon on any page, but limitations apply based on workspace size and plan type ^[6].

• Format-specific limitations:
• PDF exports: Do not preserve custom emojis, and complex layouts (e.g., nested tables) may render incorrectly ^[6].
• HTML/Markdown exports: Retain most formatting but may exclude embedded files or databases if not explicitly included in the export settings.
• CSV exports: Only applicable to databases; non-tabular content (e.g., text blocks) will not transfer.
• Size and delivery constraints:
• Large exports (e.g., entire workspaces) are sent via email rather than downloaded directly, which can delay access ^[6].
• Users experiencing stalled exports should try smaller batches by exporting individual pages or subpages first. A Hacker News thread suggests navigating to top-level pages and exporting them incrementally to bypass system timeouts ^[9].
• Common errors and fixes:
• "Export failed" messages: Often resolve by clearing browser cache or switching browsers (e.g., from Firefox to Chrome) ^[8].
• Missing content in exports: Verify that "Include subpages" is enabled in the export menu, as this option is disabled by default ^[6].
• Delayed email deliveries: Check spam folders or contact Notion support if exports exceed 24 hours without arrival.

For critical data, Notion’s per-minute cloud backups provide a fallback, but users should manually back up complex workspaces before attempting large-scale exports ^[4]. If issues persist, Notion’s support team or community forums can assist with diagnostics, though response times may vary ^[3].