<p>Digital innovation represents a novel and transformative form of innovation. This paper examines the impact of export experience on digital innovation, considering both technological and organizational dimensions. Using a large dataset of Chinese listed firms, we find that firms with high initial productivity benefit from internationalization, gaining greater opportunities and stronger incentives to engage in digital innovation. In contrast, for firms with low initial productivity, often prioritizing cheap labor over innovation, export experience is negatively associated with digital innovation. Further analysis identifies the market effect, the competition effect, and the learning effect as key mechanisms through which exporting promotes digital innovation. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive impact of export experience is more pronounced for non-state-owned firms, firms exporting to developed markets, and firms engaged in ordinary rather than processing trade. This study provides important insights for policymakers and managers aiming to promote digital innovation in the context of globalization.</p>