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:/# Export and import a component [#export-import-component]  
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If you want to create a new component that is similar to an existing component, export the existing component and import it as a new component. You can then modify the imported component to meet your requirements.

Export-import reduces the time taken to create the component because you do not need to create it from scratch.

There is no limit to the number of times you can export-import a component.

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## Permissions [#export-import-permissions]

You do not need to have a specific user role to export a component. To import a component, you must have either the **Manager** or **Designer** role.

All Chatbots plans support export and import.

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## Export [#export-component]

### Prerequisites

You can export a component only if it has been validated by Chatbots and is error-free. This reduces the possibility of errors when importing the component.

### Guidelines

When you export a component, the following guidelines and conditions apply:

- Exported components are in a human-readable format. You can search the content and modify it to meet your requirements.
- Exported components retain the following:
  - Attributes
  - Dialogs

### Export a component

To export a component, do the following:

1. Go to the **Components** tab.
2. Select the three dots next to the component that you want to export, and select **Export**.

The system checks if there are any errors in the component. If there are no validation errors, the file is exported and stored on your local device in .export format.

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## Import [#import-component]

### Prerequisites

- The file that you want to import must be in .export format.
- If you import the component to a different account, the target account must support the channel used in the exported component. Example: If you export a WhatsApp component from *Account A*, you can import the component to *Account B* only if WhatsApp is enabled in *Account B*.

### Guidelines

When you import a component, the following guidelines and conditions apply:

- You cannot change the channel when you import the component.
- You can import the component either as a new component in the same account or to a different account that supports the channel used in the exported component.

### Import the component

1. Go to the **Components** tab.
2. Select **Import component**.
3. Upload the required .export file.
4. Select **Import**.

If the export file contains images, videos, or files, you can view the progress of the upload and can also cancel the upload.

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