gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/user/project/settings/import_export.md

# Project import/export

Existing projects running on any GitLab instance or GitLab.com can be exported
with all their related data and be moved into a new GitLab instance.

>**Note:** 
  - This feature was [introduced][ce-3050] in GitLab 8.9
  - Importing will not be possible if the import instance version is lower
  than that of the exporter.
 
## Exported contents
 
- The following items will be exported:
  - Project and wiki repositories
  - Project uploads
  - Project configuration including web hooks and services
  - Issues with comments, merge requests with diffs and comments, labels, milestones, snippets,
   and other project entities
- The following items will NOT be exported:
  - Build traces and artifacts
  - LFS objects

## Exporting a project and its data 

1. Go to the project settings page and find the Export button

    ![export_1](./img/export_1.png)

1. Once the export is generated, you should receive an e-mail with a link to download the file

    ![export_3](./img/export_3.png)

1. You can come back to project settings and download the file from there, or delete it so it
can be generated again

    ![export_4](./img/export_4.png)

## Importing the project

1. The new GitLab project import feature is at the far right of the import options on New Project

    ![import_1](./img/import_1.png)

1. After choosing a namespace or path, you can then select the file exported previously

    ![import_2](./img/import_2.png)

1. Click on Import to begin importing  and you will see your newly imported project page soon


## Advanced

The GitLab Import/Export version can be checked by using:

```bash
sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:import_export:version
```

The current list of DB tables that will get exported can be listed by using:

```bash
sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:import_export:data
```

[ce-3050]: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/3050