# Import your data

> Bring your tasks over from Todoist, Linear or Notion exports, or from any CSV or pasted list. Files are read on your device and nothing is saved until you confirm.

Source: https://priortasks.com/docs/getting-started/import-your-data/
Last updated: 2026-11-05

Import works from files you export from your old app. Prior does not connect to Todoist, Linear or Notion and needs no key from them. Files are read in your browser or desktop app, so nothing is uploaded unless you turn on the optional AI mode.

## Import in three steps

Open **Settings → Import**, or run **Import from Todoist, Linear or Notion** in the [command palette](https://priortasks.com/docs/getting-started/command-palette/). On a phone, use **Import** on the **More** screen. The setup screen of a new account links to it as well.

1. **Source.** Pick **Todoist**, **Linear**, **Notion** or **Other**. The card only changes the export instructions shown below it: Prior recognizes each file by its columns. Drop your files (CSV, ZIP or text, several at once) or paste text, then choose **Preview**.
2. **Preview.** Check the tasks, grouped by project, with sub-tasks indented and any warnings. Untick what you do not want. Choose whether to include completed tasks (off by default), skip tasks that already exist (on by default), and where new projects go.
3. **Import.** Choose **Import N tasks**. When it ends you see how many tasks and projects were added, with **Open tasks** and **Import more**.

Nothing is saved before step 3. Completed tasks you import earn no XP.

## What comes over

| From | How to export it | What Prior does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Todoist** | Export a project as CSV, or download a backup in Settings and add the `.zip`. | Each CSV becomes a project named after the file. Sections like "Doing" put tasks in progress, indentation makes sub-tasks, and priorities carry over with Todoist's highest as P1. The date, or else the deadline, becomes the due date. |
| **Linear** | **Settings → Import/Export → Export CSV**. | Issues of a Linear project become a software project. Loose issues go to a project named after their team. Triage becomes Inbox, Backlog stays Backlog, Todo becomes Todo, In Progress and In Review become In progress. A numeric estimate becomes story points. |
| **Notion** | Export a database as **Markdown & CSV** and add the `.zip` or the `.csv`. | The database name becomes the project when there is no project column. |
| **Other** | Any CSV from a spreadsheet, or a pasted list. | Columns are found by their header (title, notes, due date, priority, status, done, project, labels, parent) and you can change them in the preview. A pasted list uses one task per line, indentation for sub-tasks, `[x]` for done and `# Heading` for projects. |

Details to know:

- Dates are read in many formats and languages. A date Prior cannot read is kept in the description as `Date: …`.
- Repeat phrases like "every monday" become [repeat rules](https://priortasks.com/docs/tasks/recurring-tasks/). Open repeating tasks without a date start today or on the next listed weekday.
- Linear labels, assignee, milestone and issue ID go in the description. Assignees are not matched to Prior members. Story points show once the project uses Scrum or Scrumban, a Pro feature.
- Canceled and completed tasks stay out unless you tick **Include completed tasks**.
- A pasted list also understands what quick add understands, like `tomorrow p1` or `Friday 3pm`. See [Create a task](https://priortasks.com/docs/tasks/create-a-task/).

## Organise with Prior AI

> [!pro]
> The optional **Organise with Prior AI** switch needs Prior AI, included in Pro, Team and Enterprise. Without it your files are still read and imported, using the rules above.

It reads free text and files Prior does not recognize, spots priorities and dates written in words, finds repeat phrases and suggests projects. It never overwrites what a file already says, and you review every result in the preview before anything is saved. Only this mode sends your text to a server.

## Limits

- 5,000 tasks per file. Only the first 5,000 rows are read, and a warning says so.
- 25 MB per file, and 200 CSV files per archive.
- To go the other way, see [Export your data](https://priortasks.com/docs/account/export-your-data/).