Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chat Converter?

Chat Converter transforms your ChatGPT conversation exports into organized, searchable files optimized for Notion, Obsidian, OneNote, and Markdown. All processing happens locally in your browser for maximum privacy.

How does the conversion process work?

It's simple: Export your ChatGPT conversations from OpenAI, upload the file to Chat Converter, and we'll process it locally in your browser to create four optimized formats. You'll receive a ZIP file with all formats plus complete import instructions. Learn more on our How It Works page.

How long does processing take?

Processing time (not pricing) varies by file size—larger files take longer to process, but you only pay for the number of conversations:

• Small files (under 50MB): 30 seconds to 1 minute
• Medium files (50-500MB): 2-3 minutes
• Large files (500MB+): 5-15 minutes

All processing happens in your browser for maximum privacy.

Can I convert multiple chat exports at once?

Currently, we process one export file at a time to ensure optimal performance and accuracy. However, with storage sync, subsequent conversions are much cheaper since we only process new conversations.

How is my price calculated?

Pricing is based on the number of conversations you convert, not file size. Most users (60-70%) pay $10.99 for 101-500 conversations. Prices range from $5.99 (1-100 conversations) to $39.99 (3,000+ conversations). With storage sync enabled, you only pay for new or modified conversations on subsequent uploads. See full details on our Pricing page.

What's included in every conversion?

Every conversion includes all 4 premium formats (Notion, Obsidian, OneNote, Universal Markdown), intelligent conversation organization, professional metadata preservation, complete import instructions, and email support. No feature tiers or upsells—everyone gets all formats regardless of price. Pricing is based only on conversation count.

What about storage sync for incremental pricing?

Connect your storage (Google Drive, Local Folder, or Network Share) to enable incremental pricing. We store metadata (not content) to identify which conversations you've already converted. On subsequent uploads, you only pay for new or modified conversations, saving 67%+ on average. All sync options work the same—privacy is free, not premium. Learn more about our Backup Strategy.

Is this a subscription service?

No! Chat Converter is pay-per-use only. No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no automatic charges. Use us once for a full conversion, or use us repeatedly as your backup service—it's your choice. Pay only when you convert.

Can I get a refund?

Yes! If we can't successfully process your file, you'll receive a full refund. We also offer refunds for processing failures within 24 hours of your purchase. Contact us through our Support page if you need assistance.

What about images and media files (DALL-E, uploaded images, canvas, etc.)?

Image handling depends on how ChatGPT stored them in your export:

• Text-based content: Fully preserved—all conversations, code blocks, formatting, and message structure are converted perfectly
• Downloadable media files: If OpenAI included actual image/media files (.jpg, .png, .pdf, etc.) in your ZIP export, they'll be extracted to the media/ folder with proper markdown references
• Internal URL references: Some images (especially DALL-E generations, canvas exports, or recently uploaded images) use internal ChatGPT URLs (file-service://, sediment://) that don't work outside ChatGPT's systems

We detect and process all media files present in your export, but OpenAI's export format has technical limitations—some images may reference inaccessible internal URLs. This is a known limitation of ChatGPT's export system itself, not our conversion process. Text content, conversations, and formatting are always fully preserved.

Best Practice: If preserving specific DALL-E images or canvas exports is critical, we recommend downloading or screenshotting them directly from ChatGPT before exporting your conversations.

Does this work with Notion's database feature?

Yes! Each conversation becomes a Notion page with YAML frontmatter that converts to database properties. You can sort, filter, and organize your conversations using Notion's powerful database features. Learn more about Notion conversion.

Will my conversation formatting be preserved in Notion?

Absolutely! Code blocks, lists, bold/italic text, and other formatting are converted to Notion's native blocks. Your conversations will look clean and professional in Notion.

Can I add custom tags after importing to Notion?

Yes! Each conversation imports with metadata like date, title, and model. After importing, you can add any custom Notion properties, tags, or relations to build your perfect knowledge management system.

Will the Markdown work with Obsidian's linking system?

Yes! Our Obsidian format uses WikiLinks and supports bidirectional linking. Conversations automatically create nodes in your knowledge graph that connect with your existing notes. Perfect for building your Second Brain in Obsidian.

How do I see my conversations in the graph view?

Once imported, your conversations appear as nodes in Obsidian's graph view. Any links between conversations or to your existing notes will show as connections, helping you visualize your knowledge network.

Can I sync with my existing Obsidian notes?

Yes! Conversations integrate seamlessly with your existing vault. You can link to them from other notes, tag them, and organize them within your folder structure.

Is this compatible with Obsidian plugins?

Yes! Our Markdown format works with most Obsidian plugins including Dataview, Daily Notes, Templates, and more. The conversations are standard Markdown files with YAML frontmatter.

Does this work with OneNote for Windows, Mac, and Web?

Yes! Our OneNote format works across all platforms—Windows, Mac, Web, and mobile. Conversations are formatted with proper HTML that OneNote recognizes on all devices.

Can I share these notebooks with my team?

Yes! OneNote's full collaboration features work with your converted conversations. Share notebooks, add comments, and collaborate with your team using Microsoft 365 integration.

Will code formatting be preserved in OneNote?

Yes! Code blocks are preserved with proper HTML formatting that OneNote displays correctly. Syntax and structure remain intact for technical conversations.

How does this compare to manual copy-paste into OneNote?

It saves hours of work! Manual copy-paste loses formatting, requires manual organization, and doesn't preserve metadata. Our conversion maintains proper structure, adds metadata, and organizes everything automatically.

Is this just plain text? What about formatting?

Markdown is human-readable text with formatting syntax (like **bold** or `code`). It's the universal format that works everywhere—GitHub, VS Code, any text editor. Our Markdown format preserves all your conversation formatting in a future-proof way.

Can I still use Markdown files with Notion or Obsidian?

Yes! Universal Markdown works with both platforms (and many others). It's the most flexible backup format—you're never locked into any one tool.

How do I search through thousands of conversations in Markdown?

Use your operating system's search (Spotlight, Windows Search), command-line tools like grep, or open them in VS Code for powerful search across all files. Markdown makes your conversations universally searchable.

What about backups? Where should I store Markdown files?

Anywhere! Store them locally, commit to Git/GitHub, sync with any cloud service, or keep on a personal server. Markdown gives you complete control and true data ownership. No vendor lock-in.

Is my data secure?

Absolutely. Your conversation files are processed locally in your browser with privacy-first architecture. Payment processing requires secure communication with our payment processor (Stripe), but your actual conversation content remains private. For storage sync (Google Drive, Local Folder, or Network Share), processed files and metadata are stored in your chosen location—a dedicated ChatConverter folder for Google Drive, your selected local/network folder for other options. We do NOT have access to your entire Google Drive or file system—only the specific folders you authorize. Learn more on our Why Choose Us page.

Do you store my conversations?

No. All conversion processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. We never upload your conversation content to our servers. For storage sync, processed files and metadata are stored in your chosen location (Google Drive folder, Local Folder, or Network Share)—locations that you control, not on our servers.

What data do you collect?

We collect minimal data: payment information (processed by Stripe), conversation count for pricing, and optional storage metadata for incremental sync (stored in your chosen location—Google Drive, Local Folder, or Network Share—not our servers). We use Google Analytics to understand site usage. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

What happens if I don't connect storage?

You'll pay the standard conversation-based rate each time you convert ($5.99-$39.99 depending on conversation count). Without storage sync, we can't track which conversations you've already converted, so each upload is treated as a full new conversion.

How does incremental sync actually work?

When you connect your storage (Google Drive, Local Folder, or Network Share), we store a small metadata file (conversation IDs and timestamps—not your actual content) in your ChatConverter folder. On subsequent uploads, we compare your new export against this metadata to identify only new or modified conversations. You only pay for processing those new conversations.

Which storage option should I use?

Google Drive: Best for convenience and multi-device access. Local Folder: Maximum privacy, works offline. Network Share: Perfect for NAS users. All options work identically for incremental pricing—choose based on your preference. Learn more in our Storage Setup Guide.

How often should I backup my ChatGPT conversations?

It depends on your usage:

• Heavy users (daily ChatGPT use): Monthly backups ensure you never lose valuable conversations
• Moderate users (weekly use): Quarterly backups are usually sufficient
• Project-based users: Backup after completing major projects or research

With storage sync, frequent backups are cost-effective since you only pay for new conversations. Learn more about Backup Strategy.

Can I switch formats between backups?

Yes! Each conversion is independent and includes all 4 formats. You can start with Notion, try Obsidian later, and switch to Markdown—you'll always have all formats available in your download.

What if I have multiple ChatGPT accounts?

One storage connection can handle exports from multiple ChatGPT accounts. We track conversations by their unique IDs, not by account. Simply upload exports from any account, and incremental sync will work correctly.

Can I disconnect my storage later?

Yes! You can disconnect storage access anytime. For Google Drive, revoke access through your Google Account settings. For Local Folder/Network Share, disconnect through the app. If you disconnect, future conversions will be treated as full new conversions (no incremental savings), but your previously converted files remain in your storage.