Password ManagerImport & Export

Import Data from Password Safe

Use this article for help exporting data from Password Safe and importing into Bitwarden. Password Safe (V8) currently only supports exporting as .csv file. Older versions are also supported .xml.

Export from Password Safe

To export data from the Password Safe desktop app:

  1. Open Password Safe 8 and open the Extras menu from the upper left corner.

  2. Locate the Export option on the left-hand side and then choose Passwords.

  3. For the type please select CSV and enter a path to save the exported file. Leave the encoding at UTF-8.

    Export from Desktop App |
    Export from Desktop App

  4. Click on the big gray arrow on the right to proceed to the export settings screen.

  5. Set the separating character to Semicolon.

  6. Set the text qualifier to "(double quote).

  7. Check the checkbox to keep the column headers.

    Export settings screen from Desktop App |
    Export settings screen from Desktop App

  8. Click Finish to start the export.

    warning

    Please note that Password Safe will export a .csv for every category you have and not just a single .csv.

Prepare exported file

Currently, Bitwarden do not offer a specific importer for this type of file. To prepare the exported file for import, please follow these instructions.

Import to Bitwarden

Data must be imported to Bitwarden from the web vault or CLI. Data is encrypted locally before being sent to the server for storage.

To import data to your vault:

  1. Log in to the web vault at https://vault.bitwarden.com, or https://your.bitwarden.domain.com if self-hosting.

  2. Select Tools from the top navigation bar.

  3. Select Import Data from the tools menu.

  4. From the format dropdown, choose a file format.

  5. Select Choose File and add the file to import or copy/paste the contents of your file into the input box.

    warning

    Importing does not check whether items in the file to import already exist in your vault. If you import multiple files or import files with items already in your vault, this will create duplicates.

  6. Select Import Data to trigger the import. If you are importing a password protected .json file, enter the password into the Confirm Vault Import window that will appear.

  7. After successful import, delete the import source file from your computer. This will protect you in the event your computer is compromised.

Additional items such as File attachments, Sends, trash, and password history will need to be manually uploaded to your vault.

To import data to your vault from the CLI, use the following command:

bw import <format> <path>
Text Copied!

bw import requires a format (use bw import --formats to retrieve a list of formats) and a path, for example:

bw import lastpasscsv /Users/myaccount/Documents/mydata.csv
Text Copied!

After successful import, delete the import source file from your computer. This will protect you in the event your computer is compromised.

Import troubleshooting

File size import limitations

Imports may be rejected for exceeding any of the following data limitations:

  • If your import has more than 6,000 items.

  • If your import has more than 1,000 folders.

  • If your import has more than 1,000 collections.

  • If your import has more than 6,000 item-folder relationships (e.g. a single item in 3 folders can be said to have 3 item-folder relationships).

  • If your import has more than 6,000 item-collection relationships (e.g. a single item in 3 collections can be said to have 3 item-collection relationships).

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