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Roam Research Export to Obsidian Not Working

Workaround available Web, Desktop Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Don't use Roam's Markdown export for migration. Export your graph as JSON (••• > Export All > JSON) and import it with Obsidian's official Importer plugin using the Roam Research (.json) format.

Most likely fix: Export the whole graph as JSON.

Symptoms

Pages import into Obsidian but block references are missing or show as raw IDs, attachments are missing, or the imported vault has broken links and odd folders.

Why it happens

  • Using the Markdown export instead of JSON
  • Importer's 'Download all attachments' option left off
  • Roam namespaces (A/B page titles) turned into folders

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Export the whole graph as JSON

    1. In Roam, click the ••• (More actions) button in the upper-right corner
    2. Choose Export All
    3. Set the export format to JSON
    4. Click Export All and save the archive

  2. 2. Import with Obsidian's Importer plugin

    1. In Obsidian, open Settings > Community plugins
    2. Install and enable Importer
    3. Open Importer from the command palette or ribbon icon
    4. Set File format to Roam Research (.json) and select your file
    5. Choose an output folder
    6. Turn on Download all attachments if you want images and files
    7. Click Import, review the preview, then click Import again

  3. 3. Clean up namespace folders

    1. Pages titled like 'A/B' become folder A with note B inside
    2. Delete any empty folders left behind after the import

This guide also covers

  • roam research to obsidian
  • export roam to obsidian
  • roam research export
  • migrate from roam research

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