# Importing resumes

> Bring an existing resume into Hiresweep from a PDF, a Word file, a Hiresweep backup or a JSON Resume file.

Import creates a new resume from a file you already have. Use it to bring in your current resume, restore a backup, or move from another tool.

## Supported formats

| Type | Uses AI | Use it for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Hiresweep (JSON)** | No | Backups made with **Download JSON** in Hiresweep. Keeps every setting. |
| **Reactive Resume v4 (JSON)** | No | Files exported from Reactive Resume v4. |
| **JSON Resume** | No | Files that follow the [JSON Resume](https://jsonresume.org) standard. |
| **PDF** | Yes | Any resume saved as a PDF. |
| **Microsoft Word** | Yes | `.docx` files. Save an older `.doc` file as `.docx` or PDF first. |

PDF and Word files aren't structured data, so Hiresweep AI reads them and fills in the sections for you. Each PDF or Word import uses one AI action from your plan. See [Plans and usage](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/plans-and-usage).

## Import a resume

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the import dialog">
    On **Resumes**, select **New**, then **Import PDF or Word**. The **Import an existing resume** dialog opens. It handles JSON files too.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Choose the file">
    Select **Choose a PDF, Word or JSON file** and pick the file.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Check the type">
    Hiresweep detects the file type and selects it under **Type**. If it can't tell, it says "We couldn't tell what kind of file this is. Choose its type." Pick the matching type from the table above.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Import">
    Select **Import**. A PDF or Word import can take a minute; keep the window open while it shows **Importing…**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The new resume opens in the builder. It's named after the person on the resume, for example "Jane Doe Resume" (or a random name if the file has no name), and its slug gets a short random ending so it doesn't clash with your other resumes.

<Warning>
  Check every section of an imported resume before you share or export it, especially after a PDF or Word import. AI
  can miss details, change wording or put content in the wrong section.
</Warning>

## Limits

| Limit | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Word file size | 10 MB |
| PDF pages read | The first 16 pages |
| Rendered PDF pages | 6 MB per page, 24 MB in total |

Imported resumes take the resume language you use Hiresweep in. To print section headings in another language, change **Design** > **Page** > **Language** after the import.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The PDF or Word import fails">
    If your plan has no AI actions left, Hiresweep tells you when more arrive; see [Plans and
    usage](https://docs.hiresweep.com/guides/plans-and-usage). For an older `.doc` file, save it as `.docx` or PDF and import that. If the
    message says "This PDF is too large to import", try a shorter file or one with fewer images.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="The imported resume is incomplete">
    Simple resumes with selectable text import more reliably than scanned pages, image-heavy PDFs or complex tables.
    Try a cleaner copy of the file, or fill in the gaps in the builder.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="The JSON file is rejected">
    Check that the right **Type** is selected. A Hiresweep JSON backup, a Reactive Resume v4 export and a JSON Resume
    file are different formats.
  </Accordion>
  <Accordion title="The section headings are in the wrong language">
    Imports use the language you use Hiresweep in. Change **Design** > **Page** > **Language** to the resume's
    language.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>