How to import Zim notebooks into Obsidian
Convert your Zim pages to Markdown, then put the resulting files in your vault.
How to import OPML outlines into Obsidian
Convert each outline root into a Markdown note, with its children as nested lists. As of October 2026, Obsidian supports nested Markdown lists, but its import guide lists no dedicated OPML route. OPML Note Import creates those notes from a local outline and lets you preview names and text first.
Background
An outline export can carry root items, child items, item notes and URL attributes. OPML Note Import creates one file per root, or per item at a level you choose. It keeps the supported nested text and doesn't download content from the URLs.
2 ways to do it
Rebuild an outline as nested Markdown lists
Create a note for a root item and put its children in a Markdown list. Indent child lines to preserve the hierarchy, following Obsidian's nesting syntax.
Copy the item notes beneath the relevant list items and check their order against the source outline. You can choose which roots deserve separate notes.
- limits
- You have to transfer item notes and URLs yourself. This workflow doesn't parse XML or report filename conflicts.
OPML Note Import from this site
Copy an
.opmlfile into the vault, run Import an outline file, and choose your destination and prefix. Preview the planned roots and expand a path to read its Markdown.The importer preserves supported nested text, item notes and common URL attributes. Source properties can record the source path and root position, while existing output paths are skipped.
- limits
- The parser has text, depth and item limits, and it doesn't import attachments or fetch feeds. Pro repeat comparisons don't update existing notes.
Open larger MIT · no telemetry · core features free
Preview your outline with OPML Note Import
Export your outline as OPML and copy the file into the vault.
Run Import an outline file from the command palette.
Choose the source, note level, destination folder, prefix and source property option.
Select Preview, then expand a root path to inspect its Markdown text.
Select Import notes and read the created, skipped and error paths.
Common questions
Why did two roots get different filenames?
Duplicate cleaned names receive numbered suffixes starting at 2. Case variants count as duplicates too. Preview shows those paths before you write.
What should I keep the same for another export?
Use the same level, destination folder and prefix to compare matching paths. A root title change makes a new path. The preview doesn't find notes moved elsewhere.
Will HTML formatting become Markdown?
No. Escaped HTML remains literal text, and Markdown control characters receive escaping. Review the preview if your outline contains rich formatting.
Sources
- Obsidian help for importing noteshelp.obsidian.md
- Obsidian help for Markdown syntaxhelp.obsidian.md
You can now import OPML outlines into Obsidian.
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The plugin in this guide
OPML Note Import
Import OPML roots as notes with nested items in source order.