Import Formats¶

TaleNode can import dialogue graphs from four external formats. All imports are accessible from the File menu.

Warning

Importing replaces the current graph. The operation supports undo — press Ctrl+Z to revert if needed.

Yarn Spinner¶

Menu: File > Import from Yarn...

Imports a Yarn Spinner .yarn file.

What gets imported¶

Yarn concept	TaleNode equivalent
Node (title/body)	Dialogue node per line
`<<jump NodeName>>`	Connection to target node
`-> Option text`	Choice node with options
`<<set $var to value>>`	Variable + Event node (SetVariable)
`<<if $var ...>>`	Condition node
Speaker: text	Character + Dialogue node with speaker

Supported syntax¶

Node headers (title:, ---, ===)
Dialogue lines with optional Speaker: prefix
Shortcut options (->)
Jump commands (<<jump>>)
Variable declarations and set commands
Basic if/else conditions

Limitations¶

Inline expressions (e.g., {$var + 1}) are imported as literal text
Functions and custom commands are not mapped

Chat Mapper¶

Menu: File > Import from Chat Mapper...

Imports a Chat Mapper JSON export file.

What gets imported¶

Chat Mapper concept	TaleNode equivalent
Conversation	Dialogue graph
Dialogue entry	Dialogue node
Actor	Character
Link	Connection
Variable	Variable
Hub / group entry	Branching structure

Requirements¶

The file must be a valid Chat Mapper JSON export (contains Assets > Conversations, Actors, Variables)
Root entry is used as the starting point for each conversation

articy:draft¶

Menu: File > Import from articy...

Imports an articy:draft JSON export file.

What gets imported¶

articy concept	TaleNode equivalent
DialogueFragment	Dialogue node (text, speaker from entity reference)
Hub	Branching point (multiple outputs)
Connection	Connection between nodes
Entity (character)	Character
Variable set	Variables
Input/Output pins	Ports

Requirements¶

Export from articy:draft as JSON format
The file must contain a Packages section with Models entries
Supported model types: DialogueFragment, Hub, FlowFragment, Condition, Instruction

Limitations¶

articy scripts and complex expressions are imported as text, not evaluated
Nested flow fragments are flattened

Ink¶

Menu: File > Import from Ink...

Imports an Inkle Ink .ink file.

What gets imported¶

Ink concept	TaleNode equivalent
Knot (`=== knot_name ===`)	Group of Dialogue nodes
Dialogue line	Dialogue node
`Speaker:` prefix	Character + speaker assignment
`* Choice text`	Choice node with options
`-> divert`	Connection to target knot
`VAR name = value`	Variable (Bool, Int, Float, or Text)
`~ name = value`	Event node (SetVariable)

Supported syntax¶

Knots and stitches as organizational units
Dialogue lines with optional speaker prefix (Guard: Halt!)
Choices (* and + prefixes) with optional conditions
Diverts (-> knot_name)
Global variable declarations (VAR)
Variable assignment (~ var = value)
Tags (# tag)

Limitations¶

Tunnels (->->) are not supported
External functions (EXTERNAL) are skipped with a warning
Inline logic ({expression}) is preserved as literal text
Threads are not supported

CLI Import¶

You can import files from the command line without opening the GUI:

# Convert Yarn file to .talenode
talenode import yarn dialogue.yarn -o project.talenode

# Convert Ink file, output to stdout
talenode import ink story.ink

# List available import formats
talenode import --list

Supported formats: yarn, ink, articy, chatmapper.

After Import¶

After importing from any format:

Review the generated graph in the canvas — nodes are auto-positioned
Check the Validation panel for any warnings (disconnected nodes, missing Start, etc.)
Review Characters and Variables in the left panel — they are extracted from the imported file
Save the project as .talenode to preserve your work