# Importing

### Export virtual agent

This feature allows you to export a virtual agent as a ZIP file for backup or to update a version in another environment. To export the virtual agent, click the “Export” option on the popup menu at the main page.

<figure><img src="/files/yq59aK1U5LNjcLmtQbOx" alt=""><figcaption><p>Export your virtual agent by accessing the popup menu </p></figcaption></figure>

The exported virtual agent carries the entire knowledge base, settings, integrated channels, NLP, and parameters.

{% hint style="success" %}
Components in the NLP knowledge base will be downloaded as JSON files and the components in the Automated Learning knowledge base as TXT.&#x20;

If a virtual agent has both knowledge bases, the components will be downloaded in different formats (JSON and TXT) then gathered and compressed into a ZIP file.
{% endhint %}

### Import virtual agent

Click the + button to add a new virtual agent.

<figure><img src="/files/66SG93rJzlseIa4A4HST" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can use the Import option to create a new virtual agent with:

1. [New ID](#create-a-new-virtual-agent-new-id)
2. [Same ID](#update-replace-virtual-agent)&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/HiXwJxjWpeBUZ2j0KI0L" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Reminder**: Only admins and supervisors can import a virtual agents. Review the [profiles definitions and permissions](/user-guide/getting-started/create-and-manage-profiles.md#types-of-profiles) for more information.
{% endhint %}

#### Create a new virtual agent (new ID)

When you create a virtual agent using the **new ID** option, the imported agent will have a new and unique ID (different from the agent exported from other environment). It will keep all of its data, except third-party integration for channels.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/uviS7tidBGp6JePkcPm0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Upload a ZIP file containing JSON files by navigating on your computer.&#x20;

#### Create new virtual agent (same ID)

Import with the **same ID** allows you to move a virtual agent from one environment to another (from dev to prod, for example) while preserving its IDs and integrations on channels of the original agent, as it is in the original environment.

<figure><img src="/files/71Gk65ZZeB0nmLei8fOq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Upload a ZIP file containing JSON files by navigating on your computer.&#x20;

By choosing this option, you will replace an existing version with a newer one, updating all changes that you may have done, or restoring to a previous version with a backup. **The imported virtual agent will overwrite the following data:**

* Name
* Settings
* Parameters
* Channels
* Flows and Cells
* Knowledge AI base (documents and questions) - when available

{% hint style="warning" %}
This proccess will fail if a virtual agent using the same ID already exists on the environment you're trying to import it. In this case, you may try to [update ](#transfer-virtual-agent-1)it instead.
{% endhint %}

The imported virtual agent will not import the following data:

* Dialog Manager trainings

* Automated tests

* Dashboards

If you want to change the channels after importing it, go to the Channels section where you can add or remove a channel.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Important:** If you delete a channel, all aswers attached to it will be automatically deleted.
{% endhint %}

### Update (Replace) virtual agent

Once in the Cockpit, access the popup menu of the virtual agent you want to update. Click the “Update” option on the popup menu at the main page.

<figure><img src="/files/9D62f52ZpGo9BvTTdGOO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Choose Update if you want to replace the current version to:&#x20;

* a newer version from a recent export&#x20;
* restore a backup version

Instead of importing your ZIP file as a new virtual agent, you may want to just replace the content of a virtual agent and keep the same ID.

**The updated virtual agent will overwrite the following data in the existing version**:

* Name
* Settings
* Parameters
* Channels
* Intents and Entities
* Answers and Templates
* Transactional Services
* Knowledge base (flows and cells)
* Automated Learning knowledge base (documents and questions), when available

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Important

* When updating a virtual agent, remember to review the webhooks. If you want to keep specific webhooks, edit them in environment parameters.
* Changes in intents and entities may require a new training
* It's not possible to update a virtual agent that are from different versions of **Syntphony CAI**
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/1pYyCqNjuxrl9yO7YK8Y" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
This action may cause instability and irreversibly compromise the virtual agent if it is imported to a production environment during peak hours. We highly recommend exporting the latest version as a backup.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.conversational-ai.syntphony.com/user-guide/nlu-agents/nlu-agents/importing.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.