How To Use WordPress Export and Import Tools To Transfer Your Data From One Site To Another.

 

The import and export tools in WordPress are tools that are very easy to use. They are a lot easier and faster than most plugins for moving some important content of some sections of your websites that are self-hosted on your site with wordpress.org or hosted on wordpress.com server.

 

Export Tool

First, you want to set your filter of the files you want to download on the WordPress Export Screen. Then click the Download Export File button, WordPress will automatically create an XML file of what you selected for you to save to your computer.

(Note where you save your xml file on your computer)

With the Export Tool, you can save your “Posts” only or “Pages” only. This XML file, will contain your posts, pages, custom post types, comments, custom fields, categories, tags, custom taxonomies, and users if you select “All Content” Option.

You can then import the xml files to another WordPress installation later.

To Export follow the steps below!

  1. To start exporting your wordpress sites, log in to your WordPress Dashboard using either of the folllowing URLs:

http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin.php or http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin.php

http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php or http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php

(Don’t forget to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name. Example https://www.apexhomebusiness.com/wp-admin.php or https://www.apexhomebusiness.com/wp-admin.php )

HOW TO USE WORDPRESS EXPORT AND IMPORT TOOLS TO TRANSFER YOUR DATA

  1. From the left navigation menu in WordPress, click Tools
  2. Wordpress Import-Export Tool
  1. Then click Export.
  2. Select an option for the content you want to export:                      
  • All content ( posts, pages, categories, custom fields, tags and comments )
    • Posts
    • Pages
    • Wordpress Export Tool Interface
  1. In this case, we are going to select “All Content” Option

As explained earlier, “All Content” Option of the export tool will only allow you to save your

  1. posts,
  2. pages,
  3. custom post types,
  4. custom fields,
  5. categories,
  6. tags and
  7. comments

to your computer in an XML file format.

  1. After making the appropriate selection, click Download Export File.
  2. A pop-up box will prompt you to download the backup file.
  3. Select Save File and
  4. click OK.
  5. Save the file where you can easily remember when you want to use it later.

 

Import Tool

After downloading your content to your computer, you can upload it to the WordPress site of your choice using the steps below.

Please note: the steps below assume that you have installed WordPress on your server or WordPress.com server

  1. To start importing to your wordpress site, log in to your new WordPress Dashboard.
  1. From the left navigation menu, click Tools  
  2. Then click Import.
  3. Choose the format you are importing with

(In this example, you will choose xml from among several other formats from which you can import. Please, do not make the mistake of choosing sql which is common with most plugins backups. Your export tool can only export in xml format)

  1. Choose the system you are importing from.

(In this example, you will choose WordPress from among several other systems from which you can import.)

  1. Choose the xml file you earlier downloaded from your computer (the file downloaded during the export step above).
  2. Click Upload file and import.
  3. Create a new author or assign to an existing user,
  4. Then click Submit.

All done! You have successfully imported your data from one WordPress site to another WordPress site.

Refresh your new website url or type the url to see your imported content is live.

 

Filters and Other Options On Export Tool Interface

(Courtesy https://codex.wordpress.org)

  • All content – export all of your posts, pages, comments, custom fields, terms, navigation menus, and custom posts.
  • Posts – check this radio button to expose additional filtering when exporting posts.
  • Categories – select only one category with this pulldown or leave at All Categories.
  • Authors – select a specific author from the pulldown or leave at All Authors.
  • Date range – select both the starting and ending post date to include in export.
  • Status – select the post status (e.g. Published) to export or leave at All Stati.
  • Pages – check this radio button to expose additional filtering when exporting pages.
  • Authors – select a specific author from the pulldown or leave at All Authors.
  • Date range – select both the starting and ending page date to include in export.
  • Status – select the page status (e.g. Published) to export or leave at All Stati.
  • Download Export File – click this button and the file, with any filters selected, will be created and you will be asked to save that file to your local computer.