Import
Note: Some of the instructions from this guide refer to the WP Admin dashboard. You can get to this dashboard by adding /wp-admin to the end of your site’s URL (e.g.: example.wordpress.com/wp-admin)
You can import content to your site from another WordPress site and from many other kinds of platforms, including Wix, Medium, Blogger, GoDaddy Go Central, Israblog, Movable Type, Squarespace, Tumblr, Typepad, Xanga, and more.
Before you can import your content, you’ll first need to export the other site’s content into a file you can upload to WordPress. When you have your file ready, head for the import page.
The Import Page
Go to My Site(s) → Tools → Import in the WordPress.com sidebar.
You’ll see a list of the platforms you can import from. If the platform you want is not there, click Choose from the full list.
For sites with plugins or custom themes installed, you may want to import from WP-admin. You can get to this dashboard by adding /wp-admin to the end of your site’s URL (e.g., example.wordpress.com/wp-admin)
Import Content from Another Site
The steps for importing are usually the same, no matter what kind of import you’re doing:
- Find the importer for the kind of site you’re importing from.
- Upload your export file and start the import.
- The importer may ask which user in your WordPress site you want to set as the author of its importing posts or pages. Choose the author you want for the items.
That’s it! The importer will do the rest.
The next section shows you how to import content from another WordPress site.
Import Content from Another WordPress Site
If you are importing content from another WordPress site, you have two options.
- Use our Migration tool to move all your site’s content, plugins, and custom themes to WordPress.com. A Business or eCommerce plan is required to import plugins and custom themes. This option is only available if you are moving from self-hosted WordPress to WordPress.com.
- Use the Export/Import feature to import your site’s content like posts, pages, and media using an
.xmlfile.
To use the WordPress Migration tool, follow the steps in this guide. To import your site’s content, continue reading below.
Go to My Site(s) → Tools → Import and select WordPress from the list of platforms. Click the upload it to import content link under “What WordPress site do you want to import?”
An export from WordPress is saved in an
.xmlfile. (When you download it, it’s usually bundled in a.zipfile.). Follow the steps in our guide to create your export file.
Drag your .xml or .zip file into the box, or click the box to select the file from your computer.
Once the importer has finished uploading, you’ll be asked to reassign the authors of the imported items to an existing user on the new site before clicking Start Import. If you’re importing content from a site with multiple authors, it’s a good idea to create those users’ profiles in your new site first. This will streamline the import process further.
Migrate From a Self-Hosted WordPress Site
If you’re coming from a self-hosted WordPress site, you have an additional option of using our site migration tool to move all of your site’s content, plugins, and custom themes.
We’ve put together a step by step guide on how to use the Migrate from Self-Hosted option.
The Full List of Importers
If you don’t see the importer you want to use under My Site(s) → Tools → Import, click Choose from full list to see all your import options.
Find the importer for the kind of site you want to import – for example, if you’re importing content from another WordPress site, look for the WordPress importer.
If the importer you want isn’t installed on your site yet, you’ll see an Install Now link. Click it, and the importer will be installed in a few seconds. When the process is finished, you’ll see a Run Importer link.
Click the Run Importer link, and you’ll see the upload form where you can upload the file you want to import. Click the “Choose file” button and browse to the file on your computer. Once you’ve selected your file, start the import with the “Upload file and import” button. You’ll be asked to reassign the imported items to a user on your WordPress site before the import gets going.
Import Content from Another Platform
Don’t See a Specific Importer for Your Site or Blog’s Service?
If we don’t have an importing tool for your particular platform, you’ll need to try and convert it into one of the accepted formats so that you can use the proper importer. This means you first convert your blog to one of the services mentioned above (such as Blogger), and then import your blog from Blogger to WordPress.com.
Don’t See a Specific Importer for Your Blog’s Service?
If we don’t have an importing tool for your particular platform, you’ll want to try and convert it into one of the accepted formats so that you can use the proper importer. This means you first convert your blog to one of the services mentioned above (such as Blogger), and then import your blog from Blogger to WordPress.com. If you can export to .xml, you can import using the WordPress importer.
After Importing
After running an import, you might want to do any of the following to finish setting up your site:
- Attach a custom domain to your site
- Choose a new theme for your site
- Begin customizing your site
- Upgrade to another plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the site I’m exporting from?
Your existing site is not impacted by the process of importing content into a new site.
Will my custom domain move when I import my site?
Not automatically. If you have an existing custom domain name, you can move it to your new site by either transferring the domain registration or mapping the domain to your site.
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