Export EasyWorship Songs for Free Using OpenLP

EasyWorship has no "export library" button, but OpenLP, a free, open-source worship program, can read EasyWorship databases. That makes it the best zero-cost bridge for getting your songs out. Here's the whole process, including the cleanup nobody mentions.

What you'll need

• The computer with EasyWorship on it (or a copy of its database folder)
• OpenLP, free download, Windows/Mac/Linux
• A realistic block of time: an afternoon for the mechanics, plus cleanup time proportional to your library size

Step 1: Back up first

Copy your entire EasyWorship database folder somewhere safe before touching anything. Not sure where it is? See where to find your EasyWorship song database. Work from the copy, never the original.

Step 2: Install OpenLP and run the import

1. Install and open OpenLP; skip through first-run setup.
2. Open the song import wizard and choose EasyWorship as the source format. Note: which EasyWorship versions appear in the import list depends on your OpenLP version, so check the list against your EasyWorship version.
3. Point it at your copied database file and run the import.

Step 3: Spot-check the result

Before going further, open a dozen songs in OpenLP, including some with unusual formatting (bridges, tags, songs with verses in unusual orders). Check that lyrics are complete and section labels look sane. Problems show up here, not later, and it's better to know now.

Step 4: Export from OpenLP

OpenLP can export your songs (its native export uses the OpenLyrics XML format, and text-based output is available depending on version). If your destination is another OpenLP machine, you're done: OpenLyrics imports straight back in.

Step 5: Getting into ProPresenter

Here's the catch: ProPresenter doesn't read OpenLyrics. The practical path is exporting or converting your songs to plain text files, then using ProPresenter's text import to bring them in. After import, you'll re-tag section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) inside ProPresenter, and re-check slide breaks song by song. This step is where the free method costs the real time: the mechanics take minutes, the re-tagging takes hours proportional to your library.

When the free route is the right call

Choose OpenLP if you have a technically comfortable volunteer, no budget, and no deadline pressure. It's proven and costs nothing. If any of those three is missing, weigh it against a conversion service: here's every method compared, including what services cost.