> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/review-workflow/tagging/import-applied-tags.md).

# Import Applied Tags

Learn how to import existing extracted data or applied tags in a spreadsheet into your nest.

If you have a legacy or existing project you want to continue in Nested Knowledge, importing applied tags brings in already-completed extraction rather than making you redo it by hand. Before importing tags, [add your records](/review-workflow/literature-search.md) and [upload screening decisions](/review-workflow/screening/import-screening-decisions.md) — tag imports match against records already in your nest, so anything not already there won't match.

Tags with text contents and tags with table contents import separately, and each needs a sheet formatted exactly to the templates below.

### Import Tags With Text Contents

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open The Import Modal

In [Nest Settings](/your-nests/nest-settings.md), scroll to **Tagging → Import → Upload data**, and select **Begin**.

<figure><img src="https://305208404-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fxb7uNGATUgwQAjDVQRXG%2Fuploads%2F9pegxgGBR1r5X30xNqmx%2FScreenshot%202026-08-20%20at%2010.30.41.png?alt=media&amp;token=8303dadf-b338-45cf-880f-baf6e2b38fd1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Download The Template

In the modal, download the template for tags with text contents — this is selected by default. Your sheet's headers must use one to five of these exact column names: **DOI**, **Title**, **PubMed Id**, **Ref Id** (if applicable), **External Id**. Every other column header must exactly match an existing tag's name, and each cell under it holds that tag's excerpt for that record — leave a cell blank to indicate the tag shouldn't be applied to that record.

<figure><img src="https://305208404-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fxb7uNGATUgwQAjDVQRXG%2Fuploads%2FCKA3l74iI8AYf4lMRSo5%2FScreenshot%202026-08-20%20at%2010.31.08.png?alt=media&amp;token=963ec2cb-bec8-46b9-9f6e-a08942a7dcd8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

<figure><img src="https://305208404-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fxb7uNGATUgwQAjDVQRXG%2Fuploads%2FvGHPFpQUYofl0CAFZp63%2FScreenshot%202026-08-20%20at%2010.45.20.png?alt=media&amp;token=8cd4c7ad-3adc-438f-9ab1-b511dcf45337" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Set Allow Tag Creation

This setting decides whether a tag listed in your sheet, but not yet configured in the nest, gets created automatically. Toggle it on to create missing tags — these land without parent tags, so check [Configure Tagging](/review-workflow/tagging/configure-tagging.md) afterward and assign the right parents. Toggle it off if you'd rather no new tags be created; a tag in your sheet that doesn't exactly match an existing one then fails import for any record that uses it, and you'll get a list of the records that failed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set Allow Overwrite

This setting decides whether imported excerpts replace excerpts already present on a tag. Leave it on to let the import overwrite existing tag content; turn it off to leave existing tags untouched.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Be careful with this setting — no report is returned showing which records were overwritten.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Upload Your Sheet

Drag your formatted sheet into the modal, or select **Upload**. Once it finishes, check the nest for the tags you uploaded and confirm they landed as planned.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Import Tags With Table Contents

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Toggle Import Table Contents

In the same import modal, toggle **Import Table Contents**. Each sheet in your workbook must correspond, case-sensitively, to a tag in your nest that has table contents.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Download The Template

As with text tags, your sheet's identifying columns must use one to five of: **DOI**, **Title**, **PubMed Id**, **Ref Id** (if applicable), **External Id**. Every remaining column must match, case-sensitively, a column already configured in that tag's table — or select **Allow Tag & Column Creation** to have missing tags and columns created for you.

<figure><img src="https://305208404-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fxb7uNGATUgwQAjDVQRXG%2Fuploads%2FJDccQqJPLX3neOI7aehE%2FScreenshot%202026-08-20%20at%2010.42.25.png?alt=media&amp;token=531e3d50-187e-4f24-bd13-2f49ee7531a4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://305208404-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fxb7uNGATUgwQAjDVQRXG%2Fuploads%2FeIve0HmnjJACXrw6VJCL%2FScreenshot%202026-08-20%20at%2010.50.16.png?alt=media&amp;token=d1e6be29-2dee-441d-a5eb-8c64684fc485" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set Allow Tag Creation

When this is on, new tags and their tables are created if they don't already exist or can't be matched. These land without parent tags, so assign the right parents in [Configure Tagging](/review-workflow/tagging/configure-tagging.md) afterward. When it's off, a workbook sheet that doesn't exactly match an existing tag table fails import for any record that uses it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set Allow Overwrite

The same choice as for text tags, applied to table rows: on replaces existing tag table content with the imported version, off leaves existing content untouched.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Be careful with this setting — no report is returned showing which records were overwritten.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### FAQs

<details>

<summary>Can I import tags with text contents and table contents in the same upload?</summary>

No — they use separate templates and separate import steps in the modal, even though both live in the same **Import** flow under **Nest Settings**.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What happens to a tag column in my sheet that doesn't match any tag in my nest?</summary>

It depends on **Allow Tag Creation**. With it on, an unmatched column becomes a new tag, landing without a parent until you assign one. With it off, records using that column fail to import, and you'll see a list of what failed.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Will importing overwrite tag data I've already entered manually?</summary>

Only if **Allow overwrite** is turned on. With it off, existing tag content — text or table — is left as it is.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Do I need to import screening decisions before I import tags?</summary>

Yes, if you want tags matched against records that reflect your actual screening outcome. Tag import matches to records already in the nest — it doesn't create or screen them.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why does my import say some records failed?</summary>

Either a record's bibliographic identifier (DOI, Title, PubMed ID, or Ref ID) doesn't match anything in the nest, or a tag column name doesn't exactly match an existing tag while **Allow Tag Creation** is off. Check the failure list the modal returns for specifics.

</details>

### Next Steps

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-tags">:tags:</i><br><strong>Apply Tags</strong></td><td>Continue extracting data manually or with AI assistance.</td><td><a href="/review-workflow/tagging/apply-tags.md">Apply Tags</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-sliders">:sliders:</i><br><strong>Configure Tagging</strong></td><td>Assign parent tags to anything imported without one.</td><td><a href="/review-workflow/tagging/configure-tagging.md">Configure Tagging</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-magnifying-glass">:magnifying-glass:</i><br><strong>Study Inspector</strong></td><td>Check imported tag data against the studies it landed on.</td><td><a href="/review-workflow/study-inspector.md">Study Inspector</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-table-columns">:table-columns:</i><br><strong>Match Tags to Your Exports</strong></td><td>Confirm your imported hierarchy matches your target export.</td><td><a href="/review-workflow/tagging/match-tags-to-your-exports.md">Match Tags to your Exports</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.nested-knowledge.com/review-workflow/tagging/import-applied-tags.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.