Writing Studio

Bulk-import multiple books from .slima backups

4 min read

Switching accounts, moving devices, restoring previously exported backups — bulk-restore multiple books with Restore Backup. The entry is the 4th option in the "+ Create New Work" dialog, not a separate ⋯ menu on the shelf.

Create New Work modal — option 4 "Restore Backup" (Import .slima backup file) is the bulk-import entry

vs. "Import Existing Content"

The + Create New Work modal has two import-related options:

Import Existing Content Restore Backup
Formats Word / Markdown / txt / Scrivener .slima backup files
Version history Not carried over (new book starts fresh) Fully preserved
File count One book at a time Multiple at once
For Migrating from another tool You previously exported a Slima backup

How to open Restore Backup

Shelf top → "+ Create New Work" → pick "Restore Backup" (the 4th option).

Flow

1 · Drop files

Drag in:

  • A single .slima
  • Multiple .slima files
  • A folder containing .slima files

2 · Preview

Slima lists each file's preview:

  • Title
  • Word count + chapter count
  • Last-edited time (read from the backup)
  • Version-history entries already included

If a title collides with an existing book, Slima auto-tags the import.

3 · Pick which to import

All checked by default — uncheck the ones you don't want.

4 · Confirm

On import, Slima:

  • Creates each book as a new book (new internal ID)
  • Fully restores chapters / notes / settings / cover
  • Fully restores version history (timeline picks up from backup date)

Large batches may take 10–30 seconds.

When complete, all books land in "My Works."

When to use it

  • Moving devices and need everything back
  • You previously exported backups, now restoring
  • Recovering books you've permanently-deleted — they can still be restored from .slima (see Book lifecycle)

Producing .slima backups

Shelf → book ⋯ menu → Copy / export options — or use full-book export via Export manuscript.

Quota notes

  • Imported books count toward your subscription "books in use" quota
  • If you exceed quota, some books may land in Archive state (which doesn't count) — see your current plan for specifics

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