Exporting
File and formats
Choose between WordPress's plain WXR, a .wxrz or .zip bundle, a Playground .zip and a plugin that imports itself; file names and what each one holds.
The Format toggle, in the Details panel above the list, has two choices; the first one’s name follows what goes in the file.
| Shown as | File | When | Holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| WXR XML | .xml |
Media files off and no options | WordPress’s own export, unchanged |
| WXRZ | .wxrz |
Media files or options | A bundle: the WXR, media, post_content/, options.json |
| WXR ZIP | .zip |
Same, with Bundle as .zip on | The same bundle as a plain .zip |
| Playground | .zip |
Chosen | A Playground blueprint bundle with themes and plugins |
| As plugin | .zip |
As plugin on (not with Playground) | A plugin holding the bundle, which imports it on the other site with one click (as plugin) |
As plugin
The As plugin toggle, next to Media files (its ⓘ explains it), wraps the bundle in a plugin .zip. Install it on the other site like any plugin and click Run import on its screen under Tools: no file to upload. See as plugin.
Update existing
Update existing, in the Details panel, asks the import to update the pages, posts and products that already exist on the other site (same type and slug) instead of adding copies. It’s saved in the bundle (update_existing in the manifest), and the importer’s box comes checked. Not with WXR XML or Playground. See updating items that already exist.
File name
Leave it empty for WordPress’s usual name, <site name>.WordPress.<date> — the placeholder shows the exact one for today. A name you type is sanitized and the extension is added.
Content as .html files
With Settings → Export → Content as .html files (on by default), each post’s content goes to post_content/<slug>.html instead of inside the WXR — easy to read, diff and keep under version control. On import it is put back before the importer runs.
Copies
Every export made on the new screen or by the ability is kept as a copy for a while (a day by default), with an unguessable name, and listed in Settings → Copies.