Importing and exporting data

Postman can import and export Postman data, including collections, environments, data dumps, and globals. Postman can also import non-Postman data in the form of API schemas to help you consolidate your API development workflow.

Contents

• Importing data into Postman

  • Importing Postman data

    • Converting Postman collections from v1 to v2
  • Importing API specifications
  • Importing via GitHub repositories

• Exporting Postman data

  • Exporting collections
  • Exporting environments
  • Exporting data dumps
• Next steps

Importing data into Postman

You can import (e.g. collections) as well as your API specifications directly into Postman.

To import your data into Postman, click Import in the upper-left corner.

You can import your data via files, folders, links, raw text, or GitHub repositories.

Importing Postman data

You can import Postman data you previously exported, including collections, environments, data dumps, and globals.

To import Postman data, click Import. Select your file or folder, input your link, paste your raw text, or import from GitHub. Postman will automatically recognize Postman data, confirming the name, format, and what the file will import as. Click Import to bring your data into Postman.

Converting Postman collections from v1 to v2

Postman no longer supports the collection v1 format and will return an error if you attempt to import a collection in this format. You can convert your collection's format from v1 to v2 to import it into Postman.

You can take the following steps to convert the Postman collection format from v1 to v2.

• In the terminal of your choice, enter the following command to install the Postman collection transformer.

sudo npm install -g postman-collection-transformer

• You can retrieve a list of convert options by running it with the -h flag.

postman-collection-transformer convert -h

• You can convert an individual Postman collection from v1 to v2 by entering the command below.

postman-collection-transformer convert -i <path to input Postman collection file> -o <path where the output Postman file will be downloaded> -j 1.0.0 -p 2.0.0 -P

The resulting collection will be in v2 format and downloaded to your target file path. Check out the Postman Collection Transformer to take a closer look at the collection conversion.

Importing API specifications

Postman supports the following API specification formats:

• OpenAPI 3.0
• RAML 0.8, 1.0
• GraphQL
• cURL
• WADL
• Swagger 1.2, 2.0
• Runscope
• DHC

To import your API specifications into Postman, click Import. Select your file or folder, input your link, or paste your raw text. Confirm the name, format, and what you would like your data to import as, then click Import to bring your data into Postman.

You can configure your Import Settings, which will differ depending on your API specification.

You can import several API specification files at once. Select the workspace you'd like to import the APIs into, choose whether you want to generate collections from the APIs, configure the details, and click Import.

When importing into a team workspace, you can also choose to add the APIs to the Private API Network.

Importing via GitHub repositories

You must be signed in to a Postman account to use this feature.

You can import data in bulk from a GitHub repository by selecting Import > Code repository > Connect to GitHub.

Confirm your GitHub account and Authorize postmanlabs to access your repositories.

In Postman, select your GitHub organization, repository, and branch, then Continue.

Confirm the files you would like to import into Postman. You can also opt to Generate collection from imported APIs and select what you would like to link this collection as. Click Show advanced settings to control how Postman should generate collections based on your file types, then select Import.

You will receive a confirmation once the import has completed.

You can now view your newly imported files and generated collections in Postman.

Exporting Postman data

You can export your Postman data, including collections, environments, data dumps, and globals, as JSON files. These files can be imported back into any Postman instance, or utilized by Newman, Postman's command-line collection runner.

Exporting collections

You can export your collections from Postman by selecting the ... next to the collection, then Export.

You can then select the format you'd like your collection to export as. Click Export to download your newly generated JSON file.

The export to Collection v1 format is no longer supported in Postman.

Learn more about Postman's collection formats.

Exporting environments

You can export your environments from Postman by selecting the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open Manage Environments. Click the download symbol next to your environment to download your newly generated JSON file.

Exporting data dumps

You can export a data dump of all of your collections, environments, globals, and header presets in Postman. Select the wrench icon in the upper-right corner to open Settings. Click to open the Data tab, then Download to save the newly generated JSON file of your Postman data.

Next steps

You can collaborate on collections by sharing and commenting to discuss your API projects with team members. Learn more about Postman's API workflow.