# Importing API Definition
This article explains how API definitions can be imported from local files or URLs into the Element Repository to automatically create Webservice elements and streamline API configuration.
You can import API Definition into the Element Repository using following options:
* [**Create Folder** **(+)** icon ](#importing-api-definition-using-create-folder--icon)
* [**Ellipsis (...)** icon](#importing-api-definition-using-ellipsis-...-icon)
## Importing API Definition using Create Folder (+) Icon
To Import API Definition in Element Repository using **Create Folder (+)** icon, perform the following actions:
1. On the **Home** page, under **Projects**, select the required **Project**.
2. Select **Design Studio**. In the **Element Repository** page, locate the **Create Folder (+)** icon.
3. Select **Create Folder (+)** icon and select **Create new folder** to create a new folder for element repository. A new folder is created.
4. In the **New Folder** text box, enter the element repository folder name.
5. Select the newly created element repository folder and select **Create Folder (+)** icon.
6. From the menu options, select **Import API Definition**. The **Import API Definition** dialog box appears.
7. You can import API definition using the following options:
* **File**
* **URL**
File
To import an API definition using **File** option, perform the following actions:
1. In the **Import API Definition** dialog box, select the **Upload JSON File** button.
2. Select the appropriate **JSON File** from your local system.
3. Select the **Import API** to import the selected JSON File.
4. After the API definition is imported, it appears in the **Element Repository** page.
URL
To import an API definition using **URL** option, perform the following actions:
1. In the **Source label** text box, enter the API endpoint URL.
2. From the **Protocol** dropdown, select the required protocol.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**:
* When using SOAP service, make sure to enter **?WSDL** at the end of URL entered in **Source label** text box which automatically selects prototype as WSDL. \
For example:
* When using Rest service, **Swagger** protocol must be selected.
{% endhint %}
3. Select **Import API** button to import API Definition.
4. After the API definition is imported, it appears in the **Element Repository** page.
8. Select the **send** button to execute the imported API definition.
{% hint style="info" %}
After executing the API request, you can go to **Response** tab to view the result. To learn more, [click here](https://docs.avoautomation.com/avo-assure-supported-technologies-for-automation/webservice-automation/viewing-response-details).
{% endhint %}
9. Select the **save** button to store the configuration as a Webservice element.
## Importing API Definition using Ellipsis (...) Icon
To Import API Definition in Element Repository by selecting **ellipsis (...)** icon, perform the following actions:
1. In **Element Repository** page, select the parent folder in which you want to import the API definition.
2. Select the **ellipsis (...)** icon corresponding to that folder.
3. From the menu options, select **Import Definition**. The **Import API Definition** dialog box appears.
4. You can import API definition using the following options:
* **File**
* **URL**
File
To import an API definition using **File** option, perform the following actions:
1. In the **Import API Definition** dialog box, select the **Upload JSON File** button.
2. Select the appropriate **JSON File** from your local system.
3. Select the **Import API** to import the selected JSON File.
4. After the API definition is imported, it appears in the **Element Repository** page.
URL
To import an API definition using **URL** option, perform the following actions:
1. In the **Source label** text box, enter the API endpoint URL.
2. From the **Protocol** dropdown, select the required protocol.
3. Select **Import API** button to import API Definition.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**:
* When using SOAP service, make sure to enter **?WSDL** at the end of URL entered in **Source label** text box which automatically selects prototype as WSDL. \
For example:
* When using Rest service, **Swagger** protocol must be selected.
{% endhint %}
4. After the API definition is imported, it appears in the **Element Repository** page.
5. Select the **send** button to execute the imported API definition.
{% hint style="info" %}
After executing the API request, you can go to **Response** tab to view the result. To learn more, [click here](https://docs.avoautomation.com/avo-assure-supported-technologies-for-automation/webservice-automation/viewing-response-details).
{% endhint %}
6. Select the **save** button to store the configuration as a Webservice element.
