> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/migration/how-to-import-from-image.md).

# How to import from image

Have a journey map living in a screenshot, a slide, or a whiteboard frame? Upload the image and Smaply's AI rebuilds it as a new, editable journey map. To start, open **Journey maps**, click **Import** in the toolbar, choose **Image or screenshot**, upload your file, and click **Import**.

{% hint style="info" icon="tag" %}
Importing journey maps is available on the Repository plan and above.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" icon="list-check" %}

#### Prerequisites

You need Editor access in the workspace, since importing creates a new journey map.
{% endhint %}

#### How to import a journey map from an image

The **Select import source** modal offers six sources. Four are AI-powered and image-based: **Figma**, **Miro**, **Image or screenshot**, and **Powerpoint**. They all lead to the same upload step and produce the same result, so the tool-named cards are conveniences, not separate importers. Pick whichever matches where your image came from. For help getting a clean image out of a specific tool, see [How to import from Miro](/migration/how-to-import-from-miro.md), [How to import from Figma](/migration/how-to-import-from-figma.md), or [How to import from PowerPoint](/migration/how-to-import-from-powerpoint.md). The other two sources, **Excel** and **JSON**, are not AI imports and have their own articles: see [How to import from Excel](/migration/how-to-import-from-excel.md) and [How to import from JSON](/migration/how-to-import-from-json.md).

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the import flow**

In a workspace, open **Journey maps** and click **Import** in the toolbar, next to **Create journey map**.

<figure><img src="/files/yD3CwPqW3509FPZnMrt4" alt="A journey maps list with a toolbar in the top right. The toolbar has search and filter icons, an Import button, and a Create journey map button."><figcaption><p>Journey maps > Import</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Pick a source and click Continue**

Choose **Image or screenshot** (or the card for the tool your image came from), then click **Continue**. The **Excel** and **JSON** cards are separate, non-AI imports covered in their own articles.

<figure><img src="/files/1w8hrjyqN7RWl0zpgZz6" alt="The Select import source modal showing six cards: Figma, Miro, Image or screenshot, and Powerpoint marked with an AI icon, plus an Excel card labelled .xlsx spreadsheet and a JSON card labelled JSON import. Cancel and Continue buttons sit at the bottom."><figcaption><p>Select import source</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Upload or paste your image**

On the **Add an image or screenshot** step, drag a file into the dropzone, click **Upload**, or paste an image from your clipboard. Smaply accepts **.svg, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, and .webp**. Then click **Import**.

<figure><img src="/files/xwaFLWCP2vT0T1Y131wW" alt="The Add an image or screenshot step with a large dropzone reading Upload or paste an image or screenshot, and a note listing supported formats. An Import button sits at the bottom right."><figcaption><p>Add an image or screenshot</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### **Important: Your image is processed by an AI model**

Smaply notes on this step: "Your image will be processed by an AI model. Do not upload images containing confidential information you are not authorised to share."
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Wait for the map to build**

The **Creating your journey map** modal runs through processing the image, detecting layout and structure, extracting text, and building the map. Complex images may take up to two minutes. When it finishes, the new journey map opens in the editor.

<figure><img src="/files/mw9zatwetToukqaHoTlR" alt="The Creating your journey map modal with a progress bar and a checklist: Processing image, Detecting layout and structure, and Extracting text content marked complete, and Building journey map in progress."><figcaption><p>Creating your journey map</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

#### Get a good import

The AI reads your image the way a person would, so a clear picture produces a cleaner map. To get the best result:

* Use a high-resolution image so labels and card text stay legible.
* Keep one journey map or frame per image. Crop out menus, toolbars, and anything that isn't the map.
* Make sure all text is readable at full size, not blurred or cut off.
* Save in an accepted format: **.svg, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, or .webp**. PDFs are not accepted, so export a slide or frame as an image rather than a PDF.

#### What to expect from the AI

The import reconstructs a journey map from a picture. It is a fast way to get a structured starting point into Smaply, not a lossless copy. Treat the result as a first draft: open it in the editor and check the stages, lanes, and card text against your original, then fix anything the AI read incorrectly. There is no live connection to Miro, Figma, or any other tool, and no way to paste a tool URL. The import works entirely from the image you upload.

To re-import a map you previously exported from Smaply as JSON, pick the **JSON** card on the **Select import source** step. See [How to import from JSON](/migration/how-to-import-from-json.md).

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Article</th><th>What it covers</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to import from Miro</strong></td><td>Export a Miro frame as an image and import it into Smaply.</td><td><a href="/pages/gvXOJr2HbXd8lxmXktqG">/pages/gvXOJr2HbXd8lxmXktqG</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to import from Figma</strong></td><td>Export a Figma frame as an image and import it into Smaply.</td><td><a href="/pages/vSEFXkqD0FJIZlCZRAs8">/pages/vSEFXkqD0FJIZlCZRAs8</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to import from PowerPoint</strong></td><td>Export a slide as an image and import it into Smaply.</td><td><a href="/pages/anEf5fPCdJUNFcwRrmwi">/pages/anEf5fPCdJUNFcwRrmwi</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to import from Excel</strong></td><td>Import a journey map from an Excel or CSV spreadsheet.</td><td><a href="/pages/91FcKopj8LOEVkalDbfx">/pages/91FcKopj8LOEVkalDbfx</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to import from JSON</strong></td><td>Re-import a journey map you exported from Smaply as JSON.</td><td><a href="/pages/wnMk7afQMxQhjtiulwvu">/pages/wnMk7afQMxQhjtiulwvu</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to create a journey map</strong></td><td>Start a new journey map from scratch, a template, or AI.</td><td><a href="/pages/LfyJzQKJ0Sv9rMnQYKEQ">/pages/LfyJzQKJ0Sv9rMnQYKEQ</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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