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PKHeX Guides & Usage Manual

Comprehensive instructions for file format support, Showdown set imports, cross-generation transfers, database filtering, and Batch Editor scripting.

Supported Formats ↓ Showdown Sets ↓ Cross-Gen Transfer ↓ Batch Editor ↓

1. Supported File & Entity Formats

PKHeX automatically detects save files and individual Pokémon data based on header signatures. Reference the matrix below for compatible file extensions across all core generations.

Category	Supported File Extensions	Target Games / Consoles
Save Files	main .sav .dsv .dat .gci	Gen 1-9 (GB, GBA, NDS, 3DS, Switch, GC)
Gen 9 Entities	.pk9 .pb9	Scarlet & Violet, Legends: Z-A
Gen 8 Entities	.pk8 .pb8 .pa8	Sword & Shield, BDSP, Legends: Arceus
Gen 6-7 Entities	.pk7 .pk6 .wc7 .wc6	X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
Gen 1-5 Entities	.pk5 .pk4 .pk3 .pkm .ck3 .xk3	Classic Game Boy, GBA, NDS, Colosseum, XD

2. Pokémon Showdown Text Sets

PKHeX natively converts text-formatted competitive sets into fully populated Pokémon structures and vice versa.

Action	Keyboard Shortcut	Function Description
Import Set	CTRL + T	Loads the Showdown set from clipboard into the active editor tab.
Export Set	CTRL + C (on preview)	Copies the loaded Pokémon data to clipboard in Showdown text format.
Import Full Team	CTRL + SHIFT + T	Imports multiple Showdown sets sequentially into empty box slots.
Set Legality Check	ALT + Click (Checkmark)	Opens a detailed breakdown of move, origin, and ball legality rules.

3. Cross-Generation Save Transfers

Transfer Pokémon forward across generations directly inside PKHeX without needing official transfer apps or hardware bridges.

Open Target Save: Launch PKHeX and open your destination save file (e.g., a Gen 9 Scarlet/Violet main save).

Drag-and-Drop Entities: Drag individual entity files (.pk3, .pk5, .pk8) or an entire older save file into the PC Box view.

Automatic Format Up-Conversion: PKHeX converts data structures into the target format, remapping movesets, adding default metadata, and assigning appropriate origin tracking markers.

4. Batch Editor Scripting

Modify dozens or hundreds of Pokémon simultaneously using script operations under Tools → Data → Batch Editor.

// Example 1: Set Trainer Name (OT) to “Ash” for all Box Pokémon
.OT_Name=Ash

// Example 2: Maximize IVs for Shiny Pokémon only
.IV_31=31 !IsShiny=true

// Example 3: Change Tera Type to Stellar on Gen 9 boxes
.TeraType=18 $Box=1..32