Is it possible to import a space if there is already a space with the same space key?

• A. Yes
• B. Only if you rename the existing space
• C. No
• D. Only if you export with a different backup format

Answer: (C)

Space keys are the unique identifiers for spaces in Confluence, used in URLs and content indexing. Because only one space can have a given key, the import process cannot create a second space with the same key when one already exists. A key collision prevents the import to avoid mixing content into the wrong space, so you can’t import that space unless the existing space’s key is freed up (which isn’t resolved by changing the backup format). In short, the destination cannot accept a space with a duplicate key.