This guide provides step-by-step instructions and best practices for preparing and exporting your Mural whiteboards to ensure a successful import into Klaxoon.
Understanding Klaxoon's import capabilities
Klaxoon's primary method for importing external whiteboards is through PDF conversion. When you import a PDF into a Klaxoon whiteboard, it converts PDF content into editable elements in Klaxoon.
Key Limitations for Klaxoon PDF Import:
Maximum File Size: Klaxoon has a limit of 50 MB per PDF file.
Maximum Pages: Klaxoon has a limit of 10 pages per PDF import.
Editable Conversion: Klaxoon strives to convert PDF elements into fully editable objects. However, due to differences in how platforms render content, complex styling, custom fonts, or highly intricate drawings might appear as static images in Klaxoon. Dynamic content (such as video of GIFs will export as a static printable element so these should be separately exported. For critical elements that must remain fully editable, be prepared to manually adjust or recreate them after import.
Step 1: Prepare your Mural whiteboard for export
Think of these steps as a vital pre-flight check! By optimizing your Mural whiteboard now, you'll significantly enhance the quality of your imported content in Klaxoon and minimize any potential issues during the transition.
Best Practices for Mural whiteboard Preparation:
1. Simplify Complex Content:
Reduce Overlapping Elements: Try to minimize overlapping shapes, text boxes, and images. Klaxoon's converter will have an easier time parsing distinct objects.
Standardize Fonts and Styles: If possible, use standard fonts and simpler styling in Mural. Custom fonts or highly stylized elements may not transfer perfectly and could become static images.
Group Related Objects: Grouping objects in Mural can sometimes help the PDF conversion process recognize them as a single logical unit.
2. Organize with Outlines (Crucial for Large whiteoards):
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For large or content-rich Mural whiteboards, it is highly recommended to use Mural's "Outline" feature. This allows you to break your whiteboard into logical sections, which will be exported as individual pages in a multi-page PDF.
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Why use Outlines?
Manages File Size: Breaking a large whiteboard into smaller, outlined sections helps you stay within Klaxoon's 50 MB per PDF and 10 pages per PDF limits.
Preserves Structure: Each outline section becomes a separate page in the exported PDF, maintaining the organization of your content.
Improves Conversion Fidelity: Smaller, focused sections are generally easier for Klaxoon to convert into editable elements.
How to Create an Outline in Mural:
Open your Mural whiteboard.
Click the Outline icon (usually in the top right corner).
Click Add new outline item.
Drag and resize the outline box to cover a specific area of your whiteboard.
Give the outline item a descriptive name.
Repeat for all logical sections of your whiteboard. Crucially, ensure each section adheres to Klaxoon's 10-page limit. If a single outline section would exceed this, further subdivide it into smaller, more manageable sections before export. This iterative approach is key to successful large whiteboard migrations.
3. Address Large Images/Embedded Files:
If your Mural whiteboard contains many high-resolution images or embedded documents, these can quickly increase the PDF file size.
Recommendation: To prevent large PDF file sizes, export whiteboards with extensive media content as separate PDFs. Alternatively, if images are not critical for editability in Klaxoon, export them as static PNGs from Mural and re-insert them into Klaxoon as images.
Step 2 : Export your whiteoard from Mural
Once your Mural whiteboard is prepared, you can proceed with the export.
1. Open Your Mural whiteoard: Navigate to the Mural whiteboard you wish to export.
2. Access Export Options:
Click the 'Download as' icon (represented by a cloud with a down arrow in the top-left corner) or right-click anywhere on the canvas and select 'Download as.'
Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + E (Windows) or Command + E (Mac).
3. Select PDF Format: From the "Format" dropdown menu, choose "PDF file."
4. Choose Content to Export:
"Outline": (Recommended for most migrations) If you've organized your whiteboard with outlines, select this option. Mural will generate a multi-page PDF where each outline item is a page. This is the best way to handle large whiteboards and adhere to Klaxoon's page limit.
"Selection": If you need to export a very specific part of the whiteboard, or if an outlined section is still too large, select the content manually before opening the export menu, then choose "Selection."
"All content": Only use this for small, simple whiteboards that you are confident will not exceed Klaxoon's file size and page limits.
5. Initiate Download: Click the "Download" button.
Mural will process the export. Depending on the size and complexity, this may take a few moments.
You may receive an email with a download link, or the file will automatically download to your computer's "Downloads" folder.
Step 3: verify exported PDF (highy recommended)
Before importing into Klaxoon, open the exported PDF file(s) to ensure everything looks as expected.
Check Layout and Content: Confirm that all necessary content is present and the layout is as intended.
Check File Size and Page Count: Right-click on the PDF file and check its properties to see the file size. If using outlines, quickly scroll through to confirm the number of pages. Ensure you are within Klaxoon's limits (50 MB and 10 pages per PDF). If not, you'll need to go back to Mural and create smaller outline sections or selections for export.
Next Steps: Importing into Klaxoon
Find all the import steps in the following article: How to import a PDF (PDF conversion)?
If you have any questions, please consult the online resources or contact our support team.