It looks like our usual workflow for bouncing between Premiere versions is not consistently effectively like it once was. To circumvent these technical issues or running into error messages, here the best workflow to open a 26 Premiere Pro project in Premiere 25.
Step 1: Export as Final Cut Pro XML
- Open project in Premiere 2026
- Go to File > Export > Final Cut Pro XML.
- Choose a save location and click Save. You do not need to change any of the default settings. Make sure all of your media is on an external drive for easy transfer between stations.
Step 2: Import Final Cut Pro XML to DaVinci Resolve
- Once your project has exported as an XML file, eject your hard drive and log into a lab station.
- Connect your hard drive to the lab computer.
- Open DaVinci Resolve
- Go to File > Import > Import Media
- Import all of the files used in your project to DaVinci
- Once you have done so, go to File > Import > Timeline
- Select your XML File
- You should now see a replica of your timeline in DaVinci Resolve
Step 3: Export XML File from DaVinci Resolve
- Go to File > Export > Timeline.
- The file format should be FCP 7 XML V5 Files (*.xml)
- Export your file to your external drive for save keeping.
- Launch Premiere v25 and make a New Project.
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Go to File > Open Project > Select DaVinci Resolve XML File Project.
*NOTE: You must click Open Project in Premiere v25. If you just import the file, your project will come into Premiere with the audio out of sync.
- The project should successfully launch in Premiere v25.
If you run into any issues, please reach out to postproduction@emerson.edu for support!