# How do you import/transfer a named query? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** ignition80\ **Created:** [February 4, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025 "2021-02-04T17:38:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![peter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@peter](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/peter)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/1 "2021-02-04T17:38:23Z")
In the project browser there is a contextual menu item on Named Queries called “export”. But there seems to be no equivalent “import” option. In addition, the exported data seems to be this horrendous folder structure that ends up with binary data at the leaf nodes (surely a query definition should be text only?!?!!?) How can I export and import Named Queries from one disparate project to another? As I am trying to rebuild my system via VMs the source and destination projects don’t exist on servers that are running contemporaneously, so send to project isn’t an option right now What I am looking for is something akin to the manner in which you can export and import tags. ---
**Author:** ![JordanCClark](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/jordancclark/32/83362_2.png) [@JordanCClark](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/JordanCClark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/2 "2021-02-04T17:44:06Z")
Export in the named query section is akin to File \> Export. It’s just nice enough to have only the queries selected. Imports would need to go through File \> Import ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/original/3X/f/9/f9e36865255f7e1cff7f11b5f7abef22f3107be1.png) ---
**Author:** ![peter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@peter](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/peter)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/3 "2021-02-04T17:56:37Z")
Well that’s obvious 🙄 Still don’t understand the binary data though. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/4 "2021-02-04T18:00:51Z")
There’re lots of things in Ignition that are opaque binary (serialized java, mostly). Some of the complaints about it have even spurred action, as IA pursues compatibility with git and other source code control technologies. ---
**Author:** ![paul-griffith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/paul-griffith/32/37249_2.png) [@paul-griffith](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/paul-griffith)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/5 "2021-02-04T18:12:42Z")
> [@peter](#): > > In addition, the exported data seems to be this horrendous folder structure that ends up with binary data at the leaf nodes (surely a query definition should be text only?!?!!?) Ah, but a named query is _not_ just a query definition - there's also parameters, security settings, caching restrictions, etc. There's no reason it _can't_ be plainly serialized (and it's on our list to do so) but there is more involved than just storing the query text. ---
**Author:** ![peter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@peter](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/peter)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/6 "2021-02-04T19:15:52Z")
OK, so I’m a bit flippant about what is in a named query 😉, but it I was expecting it to be all text. As after all, there are no binary components you have to load. However Phil’s mentioning of serialization explains that away. As to what’s on your list, is there a public roadmap with expected time lines/versions of future versions? (and yes I am aware of the [roadmap](https://ideas.inductiveautomation.com) here - but that seems to be lacking any timelines etc) ---
**Author:** ![paul-griffith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/paul-griffith/32/37249_2.png) [@paul-griffith](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/paul-griffith)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/how-do-you-import-transfer-a-named-query/43025/7 "2021-02-04T19:36:30Z")
No, we’re deliberately vague about timelines because it invariably leads to disappointment. I would recommend checking out past & future Ignition Community Conferences; in particular the developer panel, for some idea of the overall strategy going forward.