Sometimes a file you upload can't be turned into a flow — the diagram is saved in a format we can't open, a PDF is a flat scan with no readable text, or an image is too blurry to trace. When that happens, Convoship pauses the import instead of failing silently, and shows you exactly how to pick things back up.
What “Import paused” means
If a source can't be read, a banner appears at the top of the import: “Import paused — we couldn't read your-file.drawio as a Draw.io diagram.” The banner names the file and the format we tried to read it as (Draw.io, PDF, Word, text, or image), so you know which upload to fix. Below it, a “Couldn't extract” panel explains in plain language what went wrong, and a “Pick up where you left off” section gives you the ways to recover.
Nothing was lost
A paused import only affects the file that couldn't be read. Other files in the same import are unaffected, and the assistant name, description, locale, and other wizard choices stay intact. You don't have to start the whole import over — fix or skip the one source that paused and carry on.
Three ways to recover
The “Pick up where you left off” section offers three options. Pick whichever fits your situation.
1. Replace the file
The most reliable fix is to re-export a clean copy and upload it again. This swaps in the new file and re-runs the import for that source only. Use it when the original was exported in the wrong format, was partially saved, or was a low-quality scan or screenshot. The per-format tips below cover how to produce a copy we can read.
2. Paste the content
If re-exporting is awkward, paste the source content directly instead of uploading a file.
- Draw.io diagrams — in the Draw.io editor, open Extras → Edit Diagram, copy the XML shown there, and paste it into the import. Pasting the raw XML skips the file-format step, so it works even when a saved .drawio file won't open.
- Text files (.txt, .md) — paste the plain text of your flow or requirements directly.
3. Start from a blank canvas
If the source isn't worth recovering, choose Start from a blank canvas. This drops the paused file and gives you an empty flow to build by hand, while keeping the rest of your import (other files, the assistant name, and so on). You can import the source again later once you have a clean copy.
Per-format tips
A few quick pointers on producing a file Convoship can read, by source type.
| Source | How to get a readable copy |
|---|---|
| Draw.io | Export as .drawio or .xml from the editor (File → Export as), or paste the XML from Extras → Edit Diagram. |
| Use a clear PDF that contains real, selectable text. If your PDF is a scan or a picture of a diagram, upload the original image instead. | |
| Word | Save as .docx (modern Word format) rather than older .doc. |
| Text | Plain .txt or Markdown .md, or paste the text directly. |
| Image | A clear PNG, JPG, or WEBP that's large enough to read. Sharp, well-lit photos and screenshots work best; very small or blurry images are hard to trace. |
Tip
If you're not sure why a Draw.io file won't open, re-save it as plain XML (uncompressed) from the Draw.io menu, or just paste the XML from Extras → Edit Diagram — that almost always gets the import moving again.
Technical details (for support)
The paused-import screen includes a Technical details expander. It's collapsed by default and holds a plain-language description of what the import saw when it couldn't read your file. You don't need it to recover — the three options above handle most cases — but if you reach out to support, opening Technical details and copying what's inside helps us pinpoint the problem faster. Think of it as the “more information” you'd attach to a support message.
When to contact support
Try Replace the file or Paste the content first — most paused imports clear up with a clean export or a quick paste. If a source you believe is valid still won't read, start the assistant from a blank canvas to stay unblocked, then contact support and include the Technical details from the paused screen.