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Getting Your Character Sheet Into Roll20: A Comprehensive Guide

The process of getting your character sheet into Roll20, a popular virtual tabletop platform, can seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the different methods available. Whether you’re using a pre-made template, importing from a PDF, or even transferring from another source like D&D Beyond, Roll20 offers a variety of tools to get your character ready for your next adventure.

The core method involves creating a character journal entry and then attaching a character sheet to it. This sheet is where you’ll track your character’s statistics, abilities, and gear. The most common way to do this is by utilizing the built-in character sheet templates that Roll20 offers.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Create a New Character: In your Roll20 game, navigate to the Journal tab (usually represented by a notepad icon). Click the “+Add” button and select “Character”.
Name Your Character: Give your character a name in the provided field.
Open the Character: Click on the character’s name to open up its journal entry.
Find the “Character Sheet” Tab: If a character sheet template is enabled for your game, a new tab labeled “Character Sheet” will be visible within the character’s journal entry. Click this tab.
View/Fill Out the Sheet: You will then see the blank sheet ready for you to start adding your character’s details.

This is the basic process, but there are variations depending on how you want to get your character sheet into Roll20. Let’s explore these in more detail.

Using Roll20’s Built-In Character Sheet Templates

Roll20 has a vast library of character sheet templates for various tabletop RPG systems. This method is usually the easiest and most seamless.

Choosing a Template

Game Settings: Go to your game’s “Game Settings” page by clicking on the game title from the main landing page and choosing settings.
Character Sheet Template: Scroll down to find the “Character Sheet Template” dropdown menu.
Select Your Template: Choose the appropriate character sheet template for your game system from the list. If a template is selected here, that tab appears when a character is opened in your journal.
Save Changes: Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page.

Using the Template

Once you’ve chosen your template, the steps detailed in the beginning of this article are now applicable to that specific sheet and your created journal entry. You will then fill out the fields within the template to create your character.

Importing Character Sheets

There are a couple of ways to import character sheets into Roll20. These are generally used when you want to use content from outside of Roll20.

Importing from the Character Vault

The Character Vault is a storage space for character sheets you can use across multiple games. This is extremely handy if you have a character you play regularly.

Export to Vault: First, if you have a character in another game you’d like to import, you have to export the sheet to the Vault from the originating game. Make sure you have permission to edit the character sheet you want to transfer.
Navigate to Vault: From the Roll20 homepage, navigate to your Character Vault.
Import Character: Click the “Import Character” button on the Vault page.
Select Character: Select the character from the list you wish to import. This character will now be in your Vault and available for importing into new games.

Importing from a PDF

If you have a character sheet in PDF format, you can import it into Roll20 as well. However, it will be imported as a handout, not as a fully functional character sheet. You can then view the PDF on your game.

Navigate to Your Game: Go into the specific game where you want to upload the PDF.
Journal Tab: Go to the Journal tab.
Add PDF: Click “+ Add” and select “PDF”.
Upload PDF: Click “No, upload PDF now”.
Name PDF: Give your PDF a name.
Select File: Click to select your PDF file or drag and drop it.
Save: Click “Save Changes”.

This PDF will then show in your journal as a linked handout and can be viewed by players. Note you cannot make changes to it.

Importing from D&D Beyond

If you use D&D Beyond for your 5e character creation, you can import those characters into Roll20. This involves using a script.

Install the D&D Beyond Importer Script: You need a browser extension or a bookmarklet for this. Search online for “D&D Beyond to Roll20 Importer”.
Copy JSON String: In D&D Beyond, find your character sheet. The importer script will give you an option to copy a JSON string. This is a code version of your character sheet.
Paste into Roll20: Open your Roll20 game and go to the chat window. Type “!beyond -import” followed by pasting the entire JSON string you copied. Press enter.
Character Created: The character will be imported into your Roll20 game.

Attaching a Character Sheet to a Token

Once your character sheet is set up, you’ll want to link it to a token to enable drag-and-drop functionality onto the tabletop.

Open Character Sheet: Open your character sheet in the journal.
Default Token Section: Find the “Default Token” section.
Use Selected Token: Ensure that you have the appropriate token on the Tabletop. Then, click the “Use Selected Token” button within this section.
Save Changes: Click “Save Changes”.

Your token is now linked to the character sheet, allowing players to easily drag it onto the map.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 common questions that new Roll20 users often have about getting their character sheets set up:

1. Can I upload my own custom character sheet design to Roll20?

Yes, but you need to be a Pro subscriber to create custom HTML/CSS character sheets. If you are not, you must use one of the pre-existing sheets.

2. Can I edit an existing character sheet template?

You can’t directly edit the default templates. However, the character sheet editor is available only to Pro subscribers. You can write your own sheet in that section of your game settings.

3. Why can’t I see the “Character Sheet” tab?

This usually means no character sheet template has been chosen for the game in the Game Settings menu. Ensure that a template has been selected.

4. How do I add a character image to the character sheet?

You can drag an image from your computer directly onto the character sheet’s portrait section. Roll20 will upload it and store it in your art library.

5. How do I add dice rolls to my character sheet?

Most character sheet templates already have built-in fields for dice rolls. You will use these to initiate your rolls.

6. How do I import map assets?

You can drag images of maps directly from your computer onto the Tabletop or use the upload button in the Art Library to bring in maps, as well as any other assets like tokens or images.

7. What file types does Roll20 support for images?

Roll20 supports JPG, GIF, and PNG file formats. JPEG is the preferred format for images.

8. Is there a size limit for image uploads?

Yes. Free users have a limit of 10MB per image upload, while Pro and Plus subscribers have a 20MB limit.

9. How do I transfer a character from one Roll20 game to another?

Use the Character Vault to export the character from one game and import it into the other. Alternatively, if the sheet is not being transferred, use the transmogrifier in the settings menu to copy the character sheet over to a new game.

10. What if I want to have multiple tokens for the same character?

You can create multiple tokens, but they’ll all be linked to the same character sheet. Any stats that change in one token will affect the other tokens.

11. Can I link specific stats from my character sheet to the token?

Yes, using the Token Settings you can link attributes to the bars on your token. This makes tracking HP, AC, etc. much easier directly on the map.

12. Do I need the Player’s Handbook for Roll20?

While not required, having access to the books helps with creating characters and understanding rulesets, but the Roll20 platform itself does not require that you own physical copies of the game books.

13. Can I copy and paste text and images into my character sheet?

Yes, you can copy and paste text and images into many text fields in the character sheet, as well as into the GM Notes section.

14. Can I share my character sheets with other players?

Yes. Every player can see their own character sheet. If a player has permission, they can also see and edit other player’s character sheets as well.

15. Is Roll20 safe to use and does it protect my personal information?

Yes, Roll20 employs 256-bit SSL encryption to protect your data and your privacy.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to get your character sheets up and running smoothly in Roll20. With a little practice, you’ll be navigating the platform like a pro, ready for whatever adventures await!

How do I get my character sheet in Roll20?