---
title: "Import and Export DMN"
slug: "import-and-export-dmn"
updated: 2025-06-16T13:32:17Z
published: 2025-06-16T13:32:17Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/import-and-export-dmn"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import and Export DMN

## Overview

**Decision Model and Notation (DMN)** is a common form of notation for business users and analysts that is used as a means to create Decision Requirements and Models. DMN and its respective products are used throughout varying methods of process automation design and execution.

As a means to provide designers the ability to utilize DMN in their processes, Decisions offers the ability to import **.dmn** files as well as the ability to export [Rule Tables](/v8/docs/rule-table-overview) into .dmn format.

For more information on DMN and how to properly format a DMN XML file, see: [About the Decision Model and Notation Specification.](https://www.omg.org/spec/DMN/1.1/About-DMN/)

---

## Import DMN

The following example demonstrates how to upload and import a .dmn file into Decisions. This example utilizes a .dmn formatted table that has been created and downloaded in a DMN Simulator. Alternately users could upload an XML file that utilizes DMN format. Importing a .dmn file will create Rule Tables. These Rule Tables will only belong to the Project they were imported into.  
  
To follow along, design and download a DMN table from the [DMN Simulator.](https://demo.bpmn.io/dmn)  
  

1. Locate a **Project**.
2. Right-click a Project Folder and select **Upload DMN XML**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-10_09h18_58.png)
3. From the Upload DMN XML window, either drag the .dmn file into the Drag file here field or select CHOOSE FILE, select the desired file, then click UPLOAD.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-10_09h21_16.png)

After importing the file, **Rule Tables** will be created in Decisions. If the file contained multiple tables, individual Rule Tables will be created for each item.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-16_09h29_05.png)

---

## Export DMN

### Export Restrictions

Only Rule Tables can be exported into the .dmn format. There are further limitations to Rule Tables that can prevent them from being exported:

- No Match outcome is enabled
- The Rule Table should have only one condition specified for each cell
- Only Constant Mapping is allowed in cells
- Only Select From Flow mapping is allowed in headers
- All Rule Step classes should implement the IExpressionProvider interface

If an exported Rule Table is not compliant with DMN, a warning message will appear in the Portal and list the reasons why the Rule Table does not meet DMN standards. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1649786744005.png)

### Export Example

The following example demonstrates how to export a Rule Table as a .dmn file.

1. Navigate to a Project folder with Rule Tables.
2. Right-click the desired Rule Table and select **Import/Export > Export as DMN**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-16_09h31_02.png)

If the exported Rule is DMN standard compliant, then a .dmn file will be created at the browser's default download location.

---

For further information on Rules, visit the [Decisions Forum](https://community.decisions.com/categories/Rules).