How to Import ChordPro Files and Export Chord Sheets to PDF in Chordly

Updated

Chordly can import existing ChordPro files for immediate editing and export either a single chord sheet or a full set list to PDF for printing. According to the site, both features are part of the free, open-source tool, and no account is required to start creating a chord sheet. The steps below cover the workflow from import to a print-ready PDF.

Before you start

  • You need a ChordPro file (a plain-text file using ChordPro-style chord and lyric markup) if you want to import existing work. If you don't have one, you can create a chord sheet from scratch instead.
  • No account is required to create a chord sheet, per the site. Signing up or logging in is offered but not presented as a prerequisite for the core workflow.
  • Chordly is free and open source (GPLv3), so there is no paid tier described on the site for these features.

Import a ChordPro file

  1. Open Chordly and choose the option to create a chord sheet.
  2. Use the ChordPro import option to load your existing file.
  3. The site states you can "import your existing ChordPro files and start editing immediately," so expect the content to appear in the editor ready for changes rather than requiring a conversion step.

What to check after import: confirm that chords sit above the correct lyrics and that section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) carried over as expected. If something looks off, it is usually a markup issue in the source file rather than the import itself.

Transpose before exporting

Chordly's headline feature is one-click transposition: "Change the key of any song with a single click." Do this before exporting so the PDF matches the key you actually want to play or print. This avoids the manual transposing the site explicitly positions itself against.

Export to PDF

Chordly supports two export scopes:

Export target When to use it
Single chord sheet You need one song for practice or a single-page handout
Entire set list You are prepping for a gig and want all songs in one printable document
  1. Organize your chord sheets into a set list if you plan to export more than one song. The site lists set lists as a feature for organizing chord sheets "ready for your next gig."
  2. Choose the PDF export option for either the individual sheet or the set list.
  3. Download the resulting PDF and print it.

Common snags

  • Chords misaligned after import: usually caused by inconsistent ChordPro markup in the original file. Fix the source text and re-import.
  • Wrong key in the PDF: transposition happens in the editor, so set the key before exporting rather than after.
  • Missing songs in a set list export: verify each song was added to the set list, since the export follows the set list contents.

What this workflow is good for

This import-and-export path fits gig preparation, practice material, and printing physical copies. If you only need to view or edit chords on screen, you can skip the PDF step entirely. If you need to share chord sheets with other musicians, the site also lists sharing as a feature, though the export route is the one that produces a printable file.