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Updated October 20, 2026

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Home › Extensions › Bulk Delete for ChatGPT & Claude › Guides › Convert a ChatGPT export to Markdown

How to Convert Your ChatGPT Export (conversations.json) to Markdown

By the Pick Ads team · Tested on Chrome · Published October 20, 2026 · Updated October 20, 2026

Answer: Request your data from ChatGPT under Settings > Data controls > Export data, download the ZIP, and find conversations.json (large exports may split it into numbered JSON files). Convert that file to Markdown with a converter, or skip the ZIP and export chats to Markdown directly from chatgpt.com with Bulk Delete.

Quick steps

  1. Request the export and wait for the email.
  2. Download the ZIP within 24 hours and unzip it.
  3. Convert conversations.json, or export selected chats with the extension.
  4. Move the .md files into Obsidian or import them into Notion.

Before you start

  • Time: OpenAI says exports can take up to 7 days to arrive.
  • You need: a signed-in personal ChatGPT account (Free, Go, Plus or Pro). Business, Enterprise and Healthcare workspaces can't self-export.
  • Free vs Premium: the official export and Option 1 cost nothing. In Bulk Delete, Free includes Markdown export of up to 5 chats a day (per getpickads.com, 2026-10-20).

Request the export (native steps)

  1. Sign in to ChatGPT and open Settings.
  2. Select Data controls.
  3. Under Export data, select Export.
  4. Select Confirm export.
  5. When the email or SMS arrives, select Download data export. The link expires 24 hours after you receive it, and you must be signed in to the same account.

If you can't sign in, request your data through OpenAI's Privacy Portal instead (Exporting your ChatGPT history and data).

What's in the ZIP

FileWhat it containsStatus
conversations.jsonYour chat history as JSON. Large exports may use numbered conversation JSON files instead.Documented by OpenAI
shared_conversations.jsonMetadata for links you shared: link ID, conversation ID, title, anonymity settingDocumented by OpenAI

Sources: Transfer exported conversations between ChatGPT accounts and Sharing conversations and scheduled tasks in ChatGPT. Custom instructions are also included in the export, per OpenAI.

Limits of the native export: it's all or nothing, it arrives by email, and the JSON isn't readable as notes. An export also can't bring back chats you already deleted.

Last verified: 2026-10-20

Option 1: Free converter (T1)

  1. Open the ChatGPT export to Markdown converter.
  2. Select conversations.json (or each numbered JSON file) from your unzipped export.

Option 2: Markdown export in the extension

If you only need some chats, you don't have to wait for the ZIP. Bulk Delete for ChatGPT & Claude exports chats to Markdown directly from chatgpt.com and claude.ai.

  1. Install the extension and open chatgpt.com while signed in.
  2. Open the Bulk Delete panel and refresh the chat list if needed.
  3. Search titles or filter by age or date range.
  4. Select the chats you want.
  5. Choose the Markdown export. Deleting is a separate step you don't have to take.

Free covers Markdown export of up to 5 chats a day. Premium ($6.99/month or $69.90/year) adds unlimited deletes, ChatGPT archive and unlimited ZIP exports in Markdown, printable HTML and JSON. Chat content stays in your browser.

Options explained

ChoiceWhat it doesWhen to use it
Official export + converterConverts your whole historyFull backup or moving everything into a notes app
Extension Markdown exportExports only the chats you select, from the live siteA project's chats, or "export, then delete"
Keep the JSONRaw data, unconvertedArchive copy alongside your Markdown

Organize in Obsidian or Notion

Obsidian uses .md files as notes. Drag the files or folder into Obsidian's file explorer, or move them into your vault folder. The official Importer plugin can also take a ZIP of Markdown files (Import Markdown files – Obsidian Help).

Notion: go to Settings > Import > Text & Markdown and upload the .md files. To keep folder structure, zip a folder and import the ZIP. Notion lists a 5 MB per-file limit on Free (50 MB on paid plans), about 120 file imports per 12 hours, and notes that anchor links and nonstandard Markdown may not import cleanly (Import data into Notion).

Troubleshooting

ProblemFix
The export email never arrivedWait up to 7 days, check spam and promotions, and check SMS if your account uses a phone number. Then contact OpenAI Support.
Download link expiredRequest a new export. Links last 24 hours.
No conversations.json, only numbered filesThat's expected for large exports. Convert each numbered file.
File is too large to openConvert the numbered files one at a time, or export selected chats with the extension instead.
Notion import failsSplit into smaller ZIPs and remove hidden files. Notion warns that very high file counts can fail.

What the extension does not do

  • It doesn't read or convert the conversations.json file. It exports from the live site.
  • It doesn't export saved memories, custom instructions or Library files.
  • It can't recover chats already deleted.

Last verified: 2026-10-20

Privacy: export and delete run in your browser on the chat sites you're signed in to. See the Bulk Delete privacy policy.

FAQ

How long does the export email take? OpenAI says exports can take up to 7 days. When the email or SMS arrives, download quickly: the link expires 24 hours after you receive it. If nothing arrives after 7 days, check spam and promotions folders, then contact OpenAI Support.

Are images included?

Can I convert Claude exports?

Is my data uploaded? The official export comes from OpenAI to you. Bulk Delete keeps chat content in your browser. Either way, treat the ZIP as sensitive: OpenAI warns it can contain sensitive account information.

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Sources

Last verified: 2026-10-20