How to import/export templates(if removed then its couterpart) in NiFi 2

AlokKumar — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:57:05 GMT

Hello it seems templates which existed in NiFi 1 is removed in NiFi 2.8.0
How to import the flow definition to the new instance? Earlier we were able to move nif flow to new instances of NiFi using templates.
Any screenshot will be helpful for NiFi 2. Currently I can only download flow definition by right clicking a process group. Some article suggested Registry. Do we have any other approach like nifi 1 where we used to browse and upload.

Re: How to import/export templates(if removed then its couterpart) in NiFi 2

RAGHUY — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:08:22 GMT

@AlokKumar

Templates (XML) have been completely removed in Apache NiFi 2.x (including 2.8.0). They are replaced by JSON Flow Definitions.

Quick Export/Import (closest to the old template workflow)

Export

Right-click the Process Group → Download Flow Definition.

Choose Without external services (recommended) or With external services.

Import

Drag a new Process Group from the top toolbar onto the canvas.

In the Create Process Group dialog, click the Browse/Upload icon (two boxes with upward arrow) next to the Name field.

Select your .json file → Add.

Double-click the new Process Group to enter it.

Note: Controller Services are not auto-enabled after import — enable them manually. Sensitive properties may need re-entering.

Recommended for Production:

Use NiFi Registry for versioning and promoting flows across environments.

References:

https://nifi.apache.org/docs/nifi-docs/html/user-guide.html

https://docs.cloudera.com/dataflow/cloud/develop-flow-definitions/topics/cdf-download-flow-definition.html

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How to import/export templates(if removed then its couterpart) in NiFi 2

Re: How to import/export templates(if removed then its couterpart) in NiFi 2