See what an Anki deck file holds and get one from your own notes
DeckOwl turns PDFs, slides, notes and photos into flashcards with spaced repetition, and Plus members can export them as an Anki deck.
How the Anki deck file format is organized
Understanding the Anki deck file format helps when you want to move flashcards between apps, back up a collection, or check why an import failed. An .apkg file is a zip archive that holds an SQLite database of notes, cards and decks, along with any images or audio the cards reference.
- An .apkg file is a zip archive, so you can rename it to .zip and open it to see its contents.
- Media files such as images and audio must be packaged with the deck or they will not display after import.
- Tab-separated text is the most reliable choice for plain text imports because flashcard text often contains commas.
- A .colpkg file replaces your whole collection on import, so back up your current library before using one.
Anki-ready export
Plus members can export generated flashcards to Anki, so the cards open in the app with your scheduling intact.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards are scheduled for review in the browser, so you can study before you ever import a file anywhere.
Works from your own material
Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text file or photo of a page, and the cards come from your content rather than a generic template.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text file, or an image of your notes. Photos are read with text recognition.
Review the generated cards
Check the flashcards DeckOwl creates and edit any that need clearer wording before you study.
Study or export to Anki
Study in the browser on the free plan, or upgrade to Plus to export an Anki deck file.
A .colpkg file is a full collection backup rather than a single deck, so it includes every deck, note type and piece of scheduling data in the library. Plain text imports work differently: each line becomes one card, with fields separated by a tab, comma or semicolon, and optional header lines can set the separator and target deck.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I open an .apkg file in a text editor?
Not usefully, because the database inside is binary. Unzip the file and open the SQLite database with a tool like DB Browser for SQLite to inspect the notes and cards.
What is the easiest way to format a text file for Anki import?
Put one card per line, with the front and back separated by a tab, and add a header line such as #separator:tab to tell Anki which character divides the fields. Check a few rows in the import preview before importing the whole file.
Can I export DeckOwl flashcards as an Anki deck?
Yes, export to Anki is included with the Plus plan at $39/year or $7.99/month. The free plan lets you study in the browser but does not include exports.
Do I need a credit card to try DeckOwl?
No, you can start without a credit card and use the free plan, which includes 3 generations per month.
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