# Unable to read file. It probably requires a newer version of Anki to import. (special fields)

**URL:** <https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-read-file-it-probably-requires-a-newer-version-of-anki-to-import-special-fields/67364>\
**Category:** Add-ons\
**Created:** [November 7, 2025, 5:29am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-read-file-it-probably-requires-a-newer-version-of-anki-to-import-special-fields/67364 "2025-11-07T05:29:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Squeakyarchie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/squeakyarchie/32/1564_2.png) [@Squeakyarchie](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Squeakyarchie)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 5:29am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-read-file-it-probably-requires-a-newer-version-of-anki-to-import-special-fields/67364/1 "2025-11-07T05:29:13Z")

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i need to protect fields of my notes while importing. so i need to use the special fields addon which is causing this issue. how to proceed?

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**Author:** ![abdo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/abdo/32/654_2.png) [@abdo](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/abdo)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 9:05am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-read-file-it-probably-requires-a-newer-version-of-anki-to-import-special-fields/67364/2 "2025-11-07T09:05:58Z")

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Do you have the latest version of the add-on? You should see a prompt saying “Import using the Special Fields add-on?” when you import a file.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 9:06am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unable-to-read-file-it-probably-requires-a-newer-version-of-anki-to-import-special-fields/67364/3 "2025-12-07T09:06:55Z")

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