# Self-managed stack import for CloudFormation StackSets
The CloudFormation stack import operation can import existing stacks into new or existing StackSets, so that you can migrate existing stacks to a StackSet in one operation. By using stack import, you avoid downtime and outages without deleting and recreating those resources. Once the stack is imported into a StackSet, the original stack will become a stack instance of the specified stack set.
**Considerations for self-managed stack imports**
+ The stack import operation requires an administrator account in which you create a StackSet and a target account that contains a stack.
+ The target account must have permission to use the `GetTemplate` operation with the input of stack ID or ARN. Because of that, your administrator account must be granted **AWSCloudFormationStackSetAdministrationRole** or **AWSCloudFormationStackSetsExectionRole** permissions.
**Topics**
+ [Import an existing stack into a new StackSet (console)](#import-stacks-to-stack-set)
+ [Import an existing stack into an existing StackSet (console)](#import-stack-to-existing-stackset)
+ [Import a stack into a StackSet (AWS CLI)](#importing-stack-to-stackset.cli)
## Import an existing stack into a new StackSet (console)
Before you begin, identify the stack that you want to import.
1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the CloudFormation console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudformation](https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudformation/).
1. From the navigation pane, choose **StackSets**.
1. At the top of the **StackSets** page, choose **Create StackSet**.
1. On the **Choose a template** page, specify a template by one of the following options and choose **Next**.
+ Choose **Amazon S3 URL** and specify the URL for your template in the text box.
+ Choose **Upload a template file** and browse for your template.
+ Choose **From stack ID** and enter your stack ID.
1. On the **Specify StackSet details** page, enter the name of a StackSet you want to create and choose **Next**.
(Optional) Enter a description of the StackSet.
1. On the **Configure StackSet options** page, review your choices and choose **Next**.
1. On the **Set deployment options** page, choose **Import stacks to stack set**.
1. Enter the stack ID of the stack you want to import in the **Stacks to import** field. For example, `arn:aws:cloudformation:us-east-1:123456789012:stack/StackToImport/f449b250-b969-11e0-a185-5081d0136786`.
(Optional) Choose **Add another stack ID** and enter the stack ID of another stack you want to import. You may add up to 10 stacks per stack import operation.
1. Review your deployment options and choose **Next**.
1. On the **Review** page, review your choices and your StackSet's properties. When you are ready to import your stack into your StackSet, choose **Submit**.
**Results**: The imported stack is now a stack instance of the specified StackSet. To learn more about the stack import status, see [StackSets status codes](stacksets-concepts.md#stackset-status-codes).
## Import an existing stack into an existing StackSet (console)
Before you begin, identify the stack that you want to import.
1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the CloudFormation console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudformation](https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudformation/).
1. From the navigation pane, choose **StackSets**.
1. On the **StackSets** page, choose the StackSet that you want to import a stack into.
1. With the StackSet selected, choose **Add stacks to StackSet** from the **Actions** menu.
1. On the **Set deployment options** page, choose **Import stacks to stack set** and enter the stack ID of the stack you want to import in the **Stacks to import** field. For example, `arn:aws:cloudformation:us-east-1:123456789012:stack/StackToImport/f449b250-b969-11e0-a185-5081d0136786`.
(Optional) Choose **Add another stack ID** and enter the stack ID of another stack you want to import. You may add up to 10 stacks per stack import operation.
1. Choose **Next**.
1. On the **Specify overrides** page, review your choices and choose **Next**.
1. On the **Review** page, review your choices and your StackSet's properties. When you are ready to create your StackSet, choose **Submit**.
**Results**: The imported stack is now a stack instance of the specified StackSet. To learn more about the stack import status, see [StackSets status codes](stacksets-concepts.md#stackset-status-codes).
## Import a stack into a StackSet (AWS CLI)
**To import an existing stack into a new StackSet**
The following `create-stack-set` command creates a StackSet and imports the specified stack. The stack to import is identified by its ARN. Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
```
aws cloudformation create-stack-set \
--stack-set-name MyStackSet \
--stack-id arn:aws:cloudformation:us-east-1:123456789012:stack/StackToImport/466df9e0-0dff-08e3-8e2f-5088487c4896 \
--administration-role-arn arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/AWSCloudFormationStackSetAdministrationRole \
--execution-role-name AWSCloudFormationStackSetExecutionRole
```
**To import an existing stack into an existing StackSet**
The following `import-stacks-to-stack-sets` command imports the specified stack into the *MyStackSet* StackSet. The stack to import is identified by its ARN. Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
```
aws cloudformation import-stacks-to-stack-set \
--stack-set MyStackSet \
--stack-ids arn:aws:cloudformation:us-east-1:123456789012:stack/StackToImport/f449b250-b969-11e0-a185-5081d0136786
```
To specify more than one stack, use the following format for the value of the `--stack-ids` option.
```
--stack-ids "arn_1" "arn_2"
```
**To clone the imported stack into other Regions and accounts**
The following `create-stack-instances` command adds stack instances to your StackSet. Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
```
aws cloudformation create-stack-instances \
--stack-set-name MyStackSet \
--accounts '["account_ID_1","account_ID_2"]' \
--regions '["region_1","region_2"]'
```