# Project import/export >**Notes:** - This feature was [introduced][ce-3050] in GitLab 8.9 - Importing will not be possible if the import instance version is lower than that of the exporter. - For existing installations, the project import option has to be enabled in application settings (`/admin/application_settings`) under 'Import sources'. Ask your administrator if you don't see the **GitLab export** button when creating a new project. - You can find some useful raketasks if you are an administrator in the [import_export](../../../administration/raketasks/project_import_export.md) raketask. - The exports are stored in a temporary [shared directory][tmp] and are deleted every 24 hours by a specific worker. Existing projects running on any GitLab instance or GitLab.com can be exported with all their related data and be moved into a new GitLab instance. ## Exported contents The following items will be exported: - Project and wiki repositories - Project uploads - Project configuration including web hooks and services - Issues with comments, merge requests with diffs and comments, labels, milestones, snippets, and other project entities The following items will NOT be exported: - Build traces and artifacts - LFS objects ## Exporting a project and its data 1. Go to the project settings page by clicking on **Edit Project**: ![Project settings button](img/settings_edit_button.png) 1. Scroll down to find the **Export project** button: ![export_1](./img/export_1.png) 1. Once the export is generated, you should receive an e-mail with a link to download the file: ![export_3](./img/export_3.png) 1. Alternatively, you can come back to the project settings and download the file from there, or generate a new export. Once the file available, the page should show the **Download export** button: ![export_4](./img/export_4.png) ## Importing the project 1. The new GitLab project import feature is at the far right of the import options when creating a New Project. Make sure you are in the right namespace and you have entered a project name. Click on **GitLab export**: ![import_1](./img/import_1.png) 1. You can see where the project will be imported to. You can now select file exported previously: ![import_2](./img/import_2.png) 1. Click on **Import project** to begin importing. Your newly imported project page will appear soon. [ce-3050]: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/3050 [tmp]: ../../../development/shared_files.md