how to combine anki decks

Easily combine Anki Decks with our step-by-step guide. Whether you want to merge multiple decks into one or simply import cards from one deck into another, we’ve got you covered.

Anki is a powerful and versatile flashcard application that has helped millions of learners worldwide memorise and recall information more efficiently.

Anki is particularly useful for language learners, medical students, and other professionals who need to commit vast amounts of information to memory.

If you have been using Anki for a while, chances are you have accumulated multiple decks, each focusing on a particular topic or subject area.

 While Anki allows you to organise your decks by tags and categories, sometimes it’s useful to combine multiple decks into a single, larger deck.

 This can save you time and effort, as well as help you review your material more systematically.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps to combine Anki decks, provide some tips for success, and help you optimise your Anki learning experience.

Steps to combine anki decks

Step 1: Export decks to a file

The first step in combining Anki decks is to export each deck you want to merge to a file. 

To do this, open Anki and select the deck you want to export from the list of decks on the left-hand side of the screen.

 Then, click on the “File” menu, select “Export”, and choose the “Export Notes” option.

 Choose a location on your computer to save the exported file, and give it a name that reflects the content of the deck.

Repeat this process for each deck you want to merge. It’s a good idea to keep the exported files organised in a single folder so that you can easily find them later.

Step 2: Open a new profile

• To merge decks, you will need to create a new profile in Anki. 
• A profile is a separate database that contains its own decks, settings, and user data.
•  Creating a new profile will allow you to import your exported decks without affecting your existing Anki data.
• To create a new profile, click on the “Profile” menu in Anki and select “Switch Profile”. 
• Then, click on the “Create Profile” button and give your new profile a name. 
• You can leave the other settings at their default values.

Step 3: Import decks into the new profile

• Once you have created a new profile, you can import your exported decks into it. 
• To do this, select the new profile from the list of profiles on the Anki main screen. 
• Then, click on the “File” menu and select “Import”.
• In the “Import File” dialog box, navigate to the folder where you saved your exported decks and select the first file. 
• Choose the “Anki Deck Package” option and click “Open”. Anki will import the deck and create a new deck with the same name as the original.
• Repeat this process for each exported deck file.

Step 4: Combine Anki decks within the new profile

• Now that you have imported all your decks into the new profile, you can merge them into a single, larger deck.
• To do this, select the first deck you want to merge and click on the “Cards” button at the bottom of the screen.
• Click on the “Export” button and save the exported file to a location on your computer. 
• Then, select the second deck you want to merge, click on the “Cards” button, and export that deck to a separate file.
• Next, go back to the original deck, click on the “Cards” button, and select “Delete Deck”.
•  Confirm that you want to delete the deck. Repeat this process for each deck you want to merge.
• Once you have deleted all the original decks, create a new deck with a name that reflects the content of the merged deck. 
• Then, click on the “Import” button and select the first exported deck file you saved. 
• Anki will import the cards from the deck. Repeat this process for each exported deck file, and Anki will merge all the cards into the new deck.

Step 5: Review and optimise the combine Anki decks

• Once you have merged all your decks, you should review the new deck to ensure that all the cards have been imported correctly and that there are no duplicates or other issues. 
• Use the “Browse” feature in Anki to review the cards in the new deck and make any necessary adjustments.
• In addition, you may want to optimise the new deck by adding tags, organising cards into sub-decks, or adjusting the settings to suit your learning style. 
• Anki offers a wide range of customization options, so you can tailor your study experience to your individual needs.

Tips for Successful Deck Combination

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when combining Anki decks:

Identify and remove duplicate cards – When you merge decks, it’s easy to end up with duplicate cards. 

Use the “Find Duplicates” add-on in Anki to identify and remove duplicate cards.

Maintain consistency in note types and fields – To avoid errors or confusion when merging decks, make sure that all decks use the same note types and fields.

 You can customise note types and fields in Anki’s “Tools” menu.

Use Anki add-ons to assist in the merging process – Anki has many add-ons that can make it easier to merge decks, such as the “Note Organizer” or “Deck Organizer” add-ons. 

Check the Anki add-on repository for more options.

Regularly back up your Anki data – Before merging decks, it’s a good idea to back up your Anki data to ensure that you don’t lose any important information. 

Use Anki’s built-in backup feature or a third-party backup tool.

Conclusion

To combine Anki decks is a powerful way to streamline your study process and make it easier to review information efficiently. 

By following the steps outlined in this article and keeping the tips in mind, you can create a customised Anki deck that fits your learning needs and preferences. 

Remember to stay organised, back up your data regularly, and enjoy the benefits of this powerful flashcard application.

FAQ

Q: Can I combine Anki decks that use different note types and fields?

A: It’s best to maintain consistency in note types and fields when merging decks to avoid errors or confusion. However, if you need to merge decks with different note types and fields, you can customize the note types and fields in Anki’s “Tools” menu.

Q: How do I identify and remove duplicate cards when to combine anki decks?

A: You can use the “Find Duplicates” add-on in Anki to identify and remove duplicate cards. The add-on will display a list of all the cards with identical content and allow you to choose which ones to delete.

Q: Can I customise my new deck after merging my old decks?

A: Yes, you can customise your new deck after merging your old decks. Anki offers a wide range of customization options, such as adding tags, organising cards into sub-decks, or adjusting the settings to suit your learning style.