# Import and export boards > Back up a board as a .refboard archive, restore it, and move boards between browsers and devices. Source: https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/import-export Last verified: 2026-10-24 (checked against FlashBoards app build 8299930841d7) FlashBoards stores your work in your browser, so a `.refboard` archive is your backup and your way to move a board to another device. It holds the board layout and its media in one file. > **Note: Export is not sharing.** Exporting gives you a file you keep. To let other people view a board through a link, see [Shared boards](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/sharing/shared-boards.md). [Video: Files → More actions → Export Board saves the active board as a .refboard archive](https://media.yaroflasher.com/docs/media/export-board.h264.f98f9ad2.mp4) ## Export the active board ### Step 1: Open the Media Browser Click **Files** (the stacked squares button) in the bottom toolbar. ### Step 2: Open more actions Click the three-dot **More actions** button in the Media Browser toolbar. ### Step 3: Choose Export Board Pick **Export Board**. In Chrome and Edge, your browser first asks where to save the `.refboard` file when the board is large (over about 512 MB) or some media sizes are unknown; pick a folder and click **Save**. Smaller boards, and boards in other browsers, download straight away. A progress overlay shows while the file is written. You can also export from the **FlashBoards menu** (the logo at the top left): **Export → Board archive…** saves a `.refboard`, and **Export → Board as PNG…** saves an image. **Import → Board archive…** and **Import → Media…** are in the same menu. If some media couldn't be included, a warning says how many files are missing. Archives can't be larger than 4 GB. If you cancel the save dialog, nothing is exported and you see **Export cancelled.** If the dialog fails, FlashBoards may try a normal browser download. That fallback can handle only archives up to about 512 MiB. For larger boards, retry in desktop Chrome or Edge, or split the board. If another save dialog is already open, finish or cancel it first. To save only some files, select them in the **Media Browser** and click **Download selected as ZIP**: a plain ZIP of the files, not a board archive. **Export PNG…** saves the board as an image. ## Import a board * Drop a `.refboard` (or compatible `.zip`) file onto the board, or * Open **Files**, click **More actions**, then **Import Board** and choose one or more files. Each archive opens as a new board, with its groups intact. Imported boards don't count toward your plan's board limit; on the Free plan you can keep up to three of them (see [Board limits](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/managing-boards.md#board-limits)). In the web app, you can import a `.refboard` or compatible `.zip` board archive even while viewing a shared read-only board. It opens as a separate local board; it does not add content to or change the shared board. > **Warning: Loose files are different.** **Import Board** is only for board archives. For individual images, videos or audio, use **Import Media** in the same menu or drag the files onto the canvas. See [Supported formats](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/reference/supported-formats.md). ## Back up many boards at once **Board Archives** exports one board at a time or every board to a folder. See [Board Archives](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/board-archives.md). ![The Board Archives window listing boards with open, health, export and delete actions and Export All](https://media.yaroflasher.com/docs/media/import-export-board-archives.w1440.8bbc72eb.webp) ## Import errors Board import accepts only `.refboard` or `.zip` files, and tells you if a file is empty, unsupported or not a board archive. Export the board again or choose another file. If you see "Archive group refers to a missing item", nothing is imported. Export the board again from the current app. If that doesn't help, open the original board, ungroup and regroup the affected items, then export again. ## Missing media warnings A missing-media warning means some files couldn't be read. Run **Check board health** on the board (see [Storage](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/storage.md#board-health)), make sure the items still show on the canvas, replace any that are gone, and export again. Media your browser has already removed can't be recovered. ## Move a board to another device 1. Export the board on the old device. 2. Copy the `.refboard` file over (cloud drive, USB, AirDrop). 3. On the new device, drop it onto a board or use **Import Board**. Keep the `.refboard` extension. For read-only access without a file, you can also [publish the board](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/sharing/publish.md). ## For agents A connected agent can import a `.refboard` file from a public HTTPS link (up to 50 MB, 20 a day) as a new board, or export a board to your browser's downloads, with `execute_board_action` (`importBoardArchive`, `exportBoardArchive`). An import never replaces an existing board. See [Archives and storage](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/integrations/mcp.md#archives-and-storage). ## Related - [Board Archives](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/board-archives.md) - [Storage](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/storage.md) - [Manage boards](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/boards/managing-boards.md) - [Media Browser](https://flashboards.yaroflasher.com/docs/media/media-browser.md)