If you receive an error while importing a file, try the following steps.
Convert the file to PDF
Some file types, including PowerPoint presentations and Word documents, import more reliably as PDFs. You can convert them using Keynote, Pages, or Numbers.
On iOS:
- Open the file in Keynote, Pages, or Numbers.
- Tap "…" in the top right corner.
- Tap Export or Send a Copy.
- Tap PDF.
- Tap Copy to Notability.
On Mac:
- Open the file in Keynote, Pages, or Numbers.
- Click File > Export To > PDF… from the menu bar.
- Click Next…, then Export.
- Open the new PDF in Notability.
Check for password protection
Password-protected PDFs cannot be imported into Notability. Remove the password protection from the file before importing.
Try a different browser
If you are importing a file from Chrome for iOS and receive an error, try Safari instead.
Download the file first
If you are sending a file from a browser to Notability, try downloading it first and importing it through the Files app.
Reverse your workflow
If an import is getting stuck, try approaching it from the other direction. For example, instead of importing from within Notability, open your cloud storage app and share the file directly to Notability from there.
Compress or split large files
Large files can cause import issues and may put strain on your device's available memory over time. Before importing, consider compressing the file or splitting it into smaller sections if it runs to hundreds of pages. Smallpdf is a free tool that can help with both.
Still having trouble?
Submit a ticket and our Support Team will be happy to investigate. Please include:
- One or two files you are unable to import.
- The steps you take to import them.
- The specific error message you receive.
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