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Anki import file checker: text and CSV

Anki imports plain text files whose fields are separated by commas, semicolons or tabs, in UTF-8, with the number of fields taken from the first non-commented line. A record with fewer fields gets blank values, extra fields are not imported, and a field that contains the separator or a line break must be wrapped in double quotes. Paste your file below to check these things before you import.

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What Anki's text import documents

The rules this checker tests, from the Anki manual section on importing text files.

TopicWhat the manual says
File typePlain text. Other formats such as .xls or .doc must be saved as plain text first.
SeparatorCommas, semicolons or tabs. Anki tries to guess it, and you can change it in the import options or with a #separator line.
Field countTaken from the first non-commented line. Records with fewer fields are imported with blanks; extra fields are not imported.
QuotingWrap a field containing the separator or a newline in double quotes; double a quote mark inside a quoted field.
Header linesLines such as #separator:tab, #html:true, #columns, #notetype, #deck and #tags (Anki 2.1.54 and later). Other lines starting with # are comments.
EncodingUTF-8, so that non-Latin characters import correctly.
HTMLFields are plain text unless HTML is allowed; <br>, <img> and [sound:] references need Allow HTML in fields.
DuplicatesThe first field decides uniqueness. Matching notes of the same type are updated by default; you can ignore them or import them as new.

What this checker does not do

  • It does not run Anki or guarantee an import result. The import dialog decides the final separator, note type and field mapping.
  • It cannot tell whether a delimiter inside an unquoted field was intended; it reports records whose field count differs from the first record.
  • It reads pasted text and files of up to about 2 million characters.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my Anki import put the wrong text in the wrong fields?
The usual causes are a wrong separator or a separator inside an unquoted field. Anki guesses the separator and counts fields from the first non-commented line; a comma inside a meaning splits it into extra fields that are not imported. Wrap such fields in double quotes, or set the separator with a #separator line.
How do I put a line break or a comma inside a field?
Wrap the field in double quotes. To include a double quote inside a quoted field, write it twice. Alternatively use an HTML line break (<br>) and enable "Allow HTML in fields".
What encoding does Anki need for non-English text?
UTF-8. A file saved in another encoding shows garbled characters for non-Latin text. The checker flags the replacement character that appears when a file is not valid UTF-8.
What happens to duplicate rows?
Anki uses the first field to decide whether a note is unique. By default a matching note of the same type is updated with the file's data; the import dialog can instead ignore duplicates or import them as new notes.
Does this tool import into Anki or open .apkg files?
No. It reads text you paste or open and reports what Anki's documented text import would do with it. It cannot run Anki, so confirm the separator and field mapping in Anki's own import dialog.
Can I turn a word list into an Anki text file?
Yes, with the vocabulary CSV formatter on this site, which downloads Anki text with word, pronunciation and meaning columns. Then check the result here.

Sources