Import from and export to a Focal board

Last updated: November 4, 2026

Bring the media in a Focal board's rows into a Layer session, and add finished assets back to a row for review.

Before you start

  • Focal is connected to the workspace with an API token. An organization admin in Focal creates one under Settings, Organization, API tokens, with read and write access to spaces, boards and media. A Layer admin then clicks Connect on Focal in Workspace Settings, Connectors, under Task management, pastes the token (it starts with fat_) and clicks Connect Focal. See Connect a service to your workspace.

  • The session belongs to a project, and the project is linked to a Focal board. A project uses one board at a time; anyone who can edit the project can link it or change the board later.

  • To export, the board needs a media column.

Link the project to a board

  1. Click the Project settings gear next to the project's name in the sidebar.

  2. In the Connectors card, click Link a connector (or Add connector), then Link on Focal.

  3. Pick the space the board is in.

  4. Search for the board under Link a Focal board, select it, and click Link board.

Import media from a row

  1. Open a session in the project and right-click an empty spot on the canvas.

  2. Choose Import from Focal….

  3. Pick the row.

  4. Select the files and click Import file (or Import with the number of files).

Layer lists the media in every media column of the row. The files land on the canvas where you right-clicked, as assets.

Export an asset to a row

  1. Right-click a finished asset on the session board and choose Export to Focal….

  2. Pick the row to add it to, then click Export to Focal.

Layer uploads the file to the board's space and adds it to the row's first media column, then confirms with Open in Focal. A column that holds several files keeps what it had; a column that holds one file is replaced with the export.

Production tips

  • Put the media column you review in first. Exports go to the board's first media column, so order the columns with the one reviewers look at first.

  • Use a multi-file column for review rounds. Each export is added next to the earlier ones, so the row keeps every candidate.

  • Use a token from a shared admin account. A token tied to one person stops working when they leave Focal's organization.

If something goes wrong

  • The token is not accepted. Focal API tokens start with fat_. Copy it again from API tokens in Focal, and check it has read and write access to spaces, boards and media.

  • This Focal board has no media column to put the file in. Add a media column to the board in Focal, then export again.

  • Import from Focal… is not in the menu. The project has no linked board, or Focal is not connected. Link a board in the project's settings, or ask an admin to connect Focal.

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