How to import content in WordPress

In this article, we will show you how to import your existing content from another blogging platform to WordPress. There are many available plugins you can use to import to WordPress, from a specific section to the entire content of your blog. A default WordPress installation includes links to plugins that you can use to import content from the following platforms:

  • Blogger – Import posts, comments, and users from a Blogger blog
  • Blogroll – Import links in OPML format
  • Categories and Tags Converter – Convert existing categories to tags or tags to categories selectively
  • LiveJournal – Import posts from LiveJournal using their API
  • Movable Type and TypePad – Import posts and comments from a Movable Type or TypePad blog
  • RSS – Import posts from an RSS feed
  • Tumblr – Import posts and media from Tumblr using their API
  • WordPress – Import posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, and tags from a WordPress export file

If the plugin for the content you want to import isn’t in the default list, search the plugin directory for more options.

Before you begin

Before importing your content, you’ll need to log in to your other blogging platform and export the content. Check the platform’s documentation for details about how to export content.

We recommend that you back up your site files and MySQL database before you import content. If anything goes wrong during the import, you can restore your site and database to their previous state. There are many backup plugins available for WordPress, or you can use the backup feature in cPanel that you can find by following these steps:

  1. Log in to your HostPapa Dashboard
  2. Click on My WordPress.

    How to import content in WordPress 1

  3. Scroll to the Files section and select Backup.

    How to import content in WordPress

Importing content

If the file you exported from your other blogging platform is very large, the import may fail due to excessive memory requirements. If this happens, break the file into multiple smaller files and try again. Contact HostPapa Support if you continue to have problems.

How to import content in WordPress 2

Blogger

The Blogger plugin allows you to import Blogger posts, comments, and categories. You can also migrate Blogger authors to WordPress users. Ensure that you export your Blogger content as an XML file.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import.
  2. In the Blogger section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Click Browse and find your Blogger exported XML file on your local computer. 
  5. Click Upload file and import.

Blogroll

Important: You must install and activate the Link Manager plugin before using the blogroll importer.

A blogroll is a list of links that is usually displayed in a sidebar. You can import links by entering the OPML URL of your existing blogroll or downloading the blogroll as an OPML file and importing the file.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import.
  2. In the Blogroll section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Enter the OPML URL or click Browse and find the exported OPML file on your local computer.
  5. Select the category for the links.
  6. Click Import OPML File.

Categories and Tags Converter

Use the Categories and Tags Converter plugin to convert your existing WordPress categories to tags or tags to categories.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import.
  2. In the Categories and Tags Converter section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Click Categories to Tags or Tags to Categories.
  5. Select the categories or tags you want to convert and click Convert.

LiveJournal

The LiveJournal Importer plugin uses the LiveJournal API to connect and import entries and comments, so you don’t need to export a content file in LiveJournal. If you have password-protected LiveJournal entries, enter a Protected Post Password to convert them to private posts in WordPress. If you don’t enter a Protected Post Password, they will become public posts in WordPress.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools Import.
  2. In the LiveJournal section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Enter your LiveJournal Username, LiveJournal Password and Protected Post Password and click Connect to LiveJournal and Import.

Movable Type and TypePad

The Movable Type and TypePad import posts and comments from Movable Type and TypePad. Export your content as a text file.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools Import.
  2. In the Movable Type and TypePad section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Click Browse and find your Movable Type exported text file on your computer and click Upload file and import.

RSS

Use the RSS Importer plugin to import posts from an RSS 2.0 feed. Save the RSS feed as a text file on your computer.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools Import.
  2. In the RSS section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Click Browse and find your RSS exported text file on your computer and click Upload file and import.

Tumblr

Use the Tumblr Importer plugin to import posts and media using the Tumblr API. You don’t need to export a Tumblr content file.

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools Import.
  2. In the Tumblr section, click Install Now.
  3. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.
  4. Follow the instructions to create a Tumblr app, which is required to act as a connection point.
  5. Paste the OAuth Consumer Key and Secret Key and click Connect to Tumblr.

WordPress

You can import posts, pages, comments, categories, and tags from another WordPress site. Export your WordPress content as a WXR file.

  1. Log into your WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Go to Tools and select Import.

    How to import content in WordPress 3

  3. In the WordPress section, click Install Now.

    How to import content in WordPress 4

  4. When the installation is finished, click Run Importer.

    How to import content in WordPress 5

  5. Click Browse and find your WXR file on your computer and click Upload file and import.
  6. Map the authors in the export file to WordPress users. For each author, you can map to an existing user or create a new user. Each post, comment, and category in the uploaded export file is imported.
  7. Select Download and import file attachments to import attachments.

More information

For more information about importing content from the platforms in this article and other common blogging platforms, see Importing Content at codex.wordpress.org.

If you need help with your HostPapa account, please open a support ticket from your dashboard.

Related Articles

Get online with our affordable web hosting

Get online with our affordable web hosting

Learn more now
HostPapa Mustache