# Migrate from other diagram apps

There is no one-click path from every other diagram app, but there is a reliable one: export the source and import it. Because Capable reads thirty-one formats, most exports come in as fully editable diagrams rather than as pictures.

The exception is anything exported as a flat image, which cannot be recovered into an editable diagram by anybody.

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## When this applies

* Moving from a diagram app with no direct migration.
* Bringing in diagrams that live outside Confluence entirely.
* Consolidating diagrams held in a repository or a shared drive.

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## How it works

| **Step**                                       | **What happens**                                          |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| draw.io files                                  | Import directly. .drawio, .xml, and .drawio.png all work. |
| Visio                                          | Re-save as .vsdx in Visio 2013 or later, then import.     |
| Mermaid, PlantUML and the other text languages | Paste the source, or attach the file.                     |
| Lucidchart and similar                         | Export as draw.io XML or Visio where the tool allows it.  |
| Flat images                                    | Cannot be converted. They have no diagram source to read. |

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## A few things that catch people out

* Check whether the source tool can export draw.io XML or .vsdx. That is usually the best available path.
* Legacy Visio binaries (.vsd, .vdx, .vss, .vsx) are not readable. Re-save them first.
* The full extension list and how the language is decided is in [Reference](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/reference.html).

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## Related

[Migrate from draw.io for ConfluenceExisting diagrams, converted in place.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/migrate-from-draw-io-for-confluence.html)

[Run a migrationThe five steps, and what to do at each.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/run-a-migration.html)

[ExamplesWorking diagrams you can copy.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/examples.html)

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_Nothing is deleted. Try a dry run._