Import from Word
Import Word documents (.docx) into Topicary as topics. Import is available on Pro, Team, and Business plans.
Before you begin
You need a Pro, Team, or Business plan
Documents must be in
.docxformat — older.docfiles are not supportedApply Word's built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) before importing for accurate structure detection
Plan your migration
Before importing, prepare your Word documents:
Use heading styles. Topicary detects headings by Word's built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.), not by font size or bold formatting. Apply proper heading styles before import for the best results.
Split large documents. Each Word file becomes one topic. If your document covers multiple subjects, split it into separate files first — one topic per concept or procedure.
Note embedded objects. Charts, SmartArt, and other embedded objects are not preserved. Export them as images and re-insert after import.
Topicary detects headings exclusively through Word's built-in heading styles, not through visual formatting. Text that is bolded, enlarged, or colored but not assigned a heading style (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) imports as a regular paragraph. If your documents use manual formatting instead of styles, apply proper heading styles before importing.
Import a Word file
Go to Topics and click Import.
Select a
.docxfile.A preview card shows the extracted title and content snippet.
Click Import.
What's preserved
Word element | Topicary equivalent |
|---|---|
Heading 1–6 styles | H1–H6 headings |
Bold, italic, underline | Inline formatting |
Bullet lists | Bullet lists |
Numbered lists | Ordered lists |
Tables | Tables |
Embedded images | Images (extracted and uploaded) |
Basic paragraph text | Paragraphs |
What's not preserved
Custom Word styles beyond heading levels
Complex layouts (columns, text boxes, page breaks)
Headers, footers, and page numbers
Track changes and comments
Embedded objects (charts, SmartArt)
Unlike other import formats, Word import automatically extracts and uploads embedded images. You do not need to re-upload images manually unless they were inserted as linked references rather than embedded objects.
If your Word document covers multiple subjects, split it into separate .docx files before importing — one file per concept or procedure. Each file becomes one Topicary topic, and keeping topics focused makes them easier to reuse across maps.
Post-import checklist
Review the imported topic for formatting — Word documents with heavy formatting typically need cleanup.
Check that headings were detected correctly. Manually adjust any font-based "headings" that imported as regular paragraphs.
Verify tables rendered correctly — complex merged-cell tables may need adjustment.
Re-insert any charts, SmartArt, or embedded objects as images.
If importing multiple documents, create a map and organize the topics into the intended hierarchy.
Publish a test target and review the output.
See also
Import formats — Full reference for supported formats, size limits, and what content is preserved per format
Create and manage topics — Edit and refine imported topics after conversion from Word
Format content in the editor — Apply consistent formatting to content that lost custom Word styles during import
Create and organize a map — Organize imported Word topics into a structured map hierarchy