Ever wondered how to move your valuable WordPress posts to a new website or simply want to back them up for peace of mind? You’re not alone—exporting posts is a common need for bloggers, business owners, and content creators looking to protect or repurpose their work.
Knowing how to export posts efficiently saves time, prevents data loss, and allows for seamless transitions. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step, share helpful tips, and answer common export questions.
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How to Export WordPress Posts: A Comprehensive Guide
Exporting your WordPress posts can sound intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Whether you’re moving content to a new website, creating backups, or analyzing your posts outside WordPress, knowing how to export posts efficiently is crucial. Fortunately, WordPress offers several user-friendly methods, and you don’t need advanced technical skills to complete the task.
Below, you’ll discover step-by-step instructions for various export methods, key points to consider, and easy tips to ensure your exported data is organized and ready to use.
Why You Might Need to Export WordPress Posts
There are several scenarios where exporting posts from your WordPress site becomes essential. Here are a few common reasons:
- Migrating to a new site: Easily move all your content when redesigning or changing your website host.
- Creating backups: Save important posts offline for peace of mind.
- Content repurposing: Use your posts in newsletters, ebooks, or other content formats.
- Bulk editing or analysis: Export posts to a spreadsheet for filtering, analysis, or editing outside of WordPress.
- Collaborations and archiving: Share your content securely or archive for legal/compliance reasons.
Common Methods for Exporting WordPress Posts
WordPress is versatile and offers multiple approaches to exporting posts. The most popular and reliable include:
- Using the built-in WordPress Export Tool (via Dashboard)
- Exporting with a plugin for more control and features
- Exporting to CSV without plugins (using code or online tools)
- Using WP-CLI (for advanced users)
Let’s break down each method.
1. Exporting Posts with the Built-In WordPress Export Tool
WordPress offers a straightforward export feature accessible from your site’s dashboard.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Go to the left sidebar and click on
Tools>Export - Choose Posts (you can also export all content, or limit by categories, date, and post authors)
- After setting your preferences, click the
Download Export Filebutton - A file in XML format (WordPress eXtended RSS or WXR) will download to your computer
Points to Consider
- The exported XML file includes your posts’ text, metadata, and comments, but not theme settings or plugins.
- You can later import this file into any WordPress site from
Tools>Import.
Benefits
- No need for extra plugins or tools.
- Simple, fast, and ideal for standard exports.
Challenges
- The XML format is not directly editable in spreadsheets.
- Media files are not included by default—they are only referenced.
2. Exporting Posts Using Plugins
Plugins offer more control, custom fields, and export formats. Popular options include All Export, WP All Export, and Admin Columns.
How to Export with a Plugin
- Install and activate your chosen export plugin
- Go to
Plugins>Add New - Search for the tool (e.g., “WP All Export”), install, and activate it
- Open the export page from the plugin’s menu
- Select “Posts” as the content type to export
- Apply any filters (categories, tags, author, date, etc.)
- Choose your output format: CSV, Excel, or custom XML
- Run the export and download your file
Benefits
- Export posts in spreadsheet-friendly formats like CSV or Excel
- Ability to map and export specific fields, such as custom post types, meta fields, and attachments
- Schedule automatic exports
Challenges
- Some plugins restrict features to premium versions
- More settings can be overwhelming for beginners
3. Exporting Posts to CSV Without a Plugin
Sometimes, you want direct access to post data in a spreadsheet and would rather not install more plugins.
Methods
- Manual database export: Use phpMyAdmin or similar to export the
wp_poststable, then sort out post data in Excel. - Custom code: Write a small PHP script or use online generators to extract posts as a CSV.
- Online Tools or Custom Snippets: Some websites offer quick scripts you can run in WordPress to output posts in CSV format.
Benefits
- No additional plugins required.
- Exports can include just the data you want.
Downsides
- Riskier, especially if you’re new to editing files or running code.
- Always back up your site before attempting.
4. Exporting with WP-CLI (Advanced)
WP-CLI is a command-line tool for managing WordPress. If you have SSH access and are comfortable with terminal commands:
Steps
- Access your website server via SSH.
- Run:
wp export --post_type=post - The generated XML file can be imported into another WordPress site.
Pros
- Fast and automatable.
- Powerful for developers and site admins.
Cons
- Requires server access and command-line knowledge.
- Not suitable for most casual users.
Key Tips and Best Practices
- Always backup your site first. Whether you’re using plugins, code, or the built-in tool, make a full backup before exporting or importing data.
- Filter exports when needed. Export posts from specific categories, dates, or authors to make your export manageable.
- Choose the right format. XML files are best for moving content between WordPress sites. CSV is better for spreadsheets or analytics.
- Check file limits. Some hosting providers limit file sizes for imports or exports. If your export fails, try splitting by categories or date ranges.
- Review exported data. After export, open your file and confirm the posts—and metadata—you need are present.
- Retain permalinks and SEO. When migrating, ensure URLs match or use redirect strategies so you don’t lose search rankings.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Exporting posts is usually straightforward, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to tackle common problems:
- Export file fails to download: Refresh and try again, or check your site permissions.
- File size too large: Export in segments (split by category, author, or date).
- Media files not included: After importing, use WordPress’s media import tool to fetch images.
- Posts missing metadata or fields: Use a full-featured export plugin and map custom metadata.
Cost and Shipping Considerations
Exporting posts from WordPress is generally free when you use the dashboard tool. Plugins may have premium features (like automatic scheduling or custom field export) that require payment. Although “shipping” isn’t a classic concern, if you are transferring exported files to another server, you may want to use secure transfer methods like SFTP or cloud storage, which could incur charges depending on your hosting or cloud provider.
When Should You Use Each Method?
- Built-in Export Tool: Best for standard blog migrations or regular backups.
- Plugins: Ideal for large sites, custom fields, or specific export formats (like CSV).
- Manual/CSV export: If you’re comfortable with code and just need post data in a spreadsheet.
- WP-CLI: Suitable for developers or sysadmins managing multiple sites.
Summary
Exporting posts from a WordPress site doesn’t have to be complex. Whether you use the dashboard export, a handy plugin, or advanced tools like WP-CLI, you have solutions to fit any skill level or export need. Always start with a backup, choose the export method that matches your goal, and take a few minutes to review your exported file before proceeding.
Mastering the export process puts you in control of your content, whether you’re migrating, analyzing, or simply safeguarding your hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I export only certain posts, like those in a specific category or by a certain author?
Yes. Both the built-in WordPress export tool and most export plugins allow filtering by category, author, date range, and even individual post status. Just set the filters before starting the export.
Does exporting posts also export images and other media?
The export file includes links to your images but does not include the actual media files. When importing to a new site, use the “Download and import file attachments” option to pull media from the original source if possible.
Can I export posts in Excel or CSV format for spreadsheet use?
The default WordPress export creates an XML file. For CSV or Excel exports, use a plugin (like WP All Export) or a custom script. CSV files are ideal for editing and analyzing post data externally.
Will my exported posts keep their SEO settings, tags, and custom fields?
Most meta data and tags are included in a standard export, but some advanced SEO settings (from plugins) or custom fields may not transfer unless you use an export tool that supports those fields.
Is there a free way to export WordPress posts, or do I have to pay for a plugin?
Yes! The built-in export tool is free and available in every WordPress installation. Many export plugins also offer basic features for free. Premium plugins add advanced filtering or scheduling features, but for most needs, you won’t need to pay.
Exporting your WordPress posts is an essential skill that puts your content and control in your hands. Experiment with the different methods described above to find what works best for your project or workflow!