How to Set Up WordPress Import/Export

This article shows you how to import and export content and data in WordPress using the built-in tools.

What WordPress Import/Export Does

WordPress has built-in tools that let you export your content (posts, pages, comments, settings) to a file, and import content from other WordPress sites. This is useful when moving between sites, backing up content, or transferring specific posts and pages.

The WordPress import/export system works with XML files. It does not include themes, plugins, or uploaded images - just your written content and settings.

How to Export Your WordPress Content

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to Tools > Export in the left menu
3. Choose what to export:
   • All content - exports everything (recommended for full backups)
   • Posts - exports only blog posts
   • Pages - exports only static pages
   • Media - exports media file information (not the actual files)
4. If you select posts or pages, you can filter by date range, author, or category
5. Click Download Export File
6. Save the XML file to your computer

The export file contains your content in XML format. Keep this file safe - it's your content backup.

How to Import WordPress Content

1. Go to Tools > Import in your WordPress admin
2. Under WordPress, click Install Now (if not already installed)
3. Click Run Importer once installed
4. Click Choose File and select your XML export file
5. Click Upload file and import
6. Assign authors:
   • Create new users for imported authors, or
   • Assign imported content to existing users
7. Check Download and import file attachments to try importing images
8. Click Submit

WordPress will process the import and show you a summary of what was imported.

Important Things to Know

The WordPress importer has limitations:

• Images: It tries to import images but often fails if they're hosted on another domain. You may need to manually upload images using the media upload tools
• Themes: Your imported content will use your current theme's styling, not the original site's appearance
• Plugins: Any content created by plugins (like contact forms or galleries) may not import correctly
• URLs: Internal links in imported content may still point to the old site

For a complete site transfer including themes, plugins and images, consider using manual backups instead.

If you're still stuck with importing or exporting content, contact Web60 support for help with your specific situation.

FAQ

Q: Will importing content overwrite my existing posts and pages?

A: No, importing adds new content alongside your existing content. WordPress assigns new IDs to imported items.

Q: Why didn't my images import properly?

A: The WordPress importer can only import images that are publicly accessible on the original site. If the old site is offline or blocks access, images won't import.

Q: Can I export just certain categories or tags?

A: Yes, when you select "Posts" in the export tool, you can filter by specific categories, tags, authors, or date ranges before downloading.

Q: What happens to comments when I import posts?

A: Comments are included in the import if they were part of the original export. They'll be imported along with their associated posts.

Q: Can I import content from other platforms like Blogger or Medium?

A: WordPress has separate importers for different platforms. Go to Tools > Import to see available importers for Blogger, Medium, and other services.

Q: How large can my import file be?

A: This depends on your server settings. If your file is too large, you may need to break it into smaller exports or ask Web60 support to help with the import.

Q: Will my imported content have the same URLs as the original site?

A: No, WordPress will create new URLs based on your current permalink settings. The content of posts may still contain links to the old site that you'll need to update manually.