WPML Export and Import Plugin Overview: A Migration Tool for Multilingual Content

WPML Export and Import is an extension plugin in the WPML ecosystem, dedicated to one thing: moving site content to another WordPress site while keeping multilingual assignments attached to the content. It doesn't handle translation—it handles migration. For users running multilingual WordPress sites, this WPML plugin solves the pain point of losing language attributes during content migration, making cross-site moves efficient and reliable.

Compared with generic migration tools, the difference lies at the language layer: ordinary imports treat content as undifferentiated data, language attributes get lost, and each item must be reassigned after import; this extension includes language columns at export time and restores them by column at import time, saving a great deal of manual reassignment work.

The WPML Export and Import Export Process

Install this extension on the source site, then use the companion export tool to select content: posts, pages, products, or custom types can all be selected. At export, language columns automatically follow each row, and every record indicates which language it originally belonged to.

Exported files can be archived or taken directly to the new site. For sites with large volumes of content, export in batches by category so each file is smaller and easier to pinpoint when an import fails. It's recommended to confirm the source site's WPML configuration is complete before exporting to avoid missing language data.

The WPML Export and Import Import Process

After the new site completes the basic import, an "Export and Import" entry appears in the WPML menu in the admin panel; click "Run WPML Import" to begin processing. The import proceeds in stages, with each step showing the content being processed and the number of completed items.

When everything finishes, the interface shows "Multilingual import complete," and WPML then automatically assigns languages to the content; the language columns carried over earlier take effect at this step. If the same piece of content repeatedly hits the same problem, the official support team will help troubleshoot—such issues usually stem from inconsistencies between the source site's content and the target site's language configuration. For more WordPress multilingual solutions, see the compilation at this related resource site.

Content Sources for WPML Export and Import

The official documentation provides guidance for three types of sources: WooCommerce sites, CSV files, and XML files. CSV can come from WPML's own export or be generated with the admin panel's export tool; as long as the field structure matches, it can be imported.

XML uses WordPress's native export format, suitable for migrating an entire site or an entire content type. All three sources go through the same process during import; the only difference is file parsing. For product content, pay attention to the correspondence between variations and attributes—create the same attributes and categories on the new site before importing, then verify each item afterward to avoid specification mismatches.

Differences from the XLIFF Workflow

WPML also has an XLIFF channel: translation jobs are under "Translation Jobs" under "Translation," where the Import/Export XLIFF buttons send out content to be translated; after the CAT tool finishes, upload it back. Single-file and packaged uploads are supported, and multiple additions can be made.

The two mechanisms serve different purposes: XLIFF handles "translation handoff within the same site," while this extension handles "content migration across sites or environments." Using the former for site migration will lose language assignments; using the right tool saves a great deal of manual reassignment. For more details from WPML officially, visit the WPML Export and Import official documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions About WPML Export and Import

Should I back up before importing?

Definitely back up. Importing writes content and language relationships; if something goes wrong, rolling back from a backup is faster than deleting item by item.

Do the target site's languages need to be configured in advance?

Yes. The language codes must match the source site for automatic assignment after import to line up; if the language lists differ between the two sides, complete them on the target site before importing.

Can it replace a full site migration?

For content, yes; theme settings, widgets, and plugin configurations are out of scope and still need to be handled separately. Please refer to the official documentation for details.

Does the plugin support importing WooCommerce products?

Yes. The official documentation states that product content can be exported from WooCommerce sites; when importing, pay attention to the correspondence between variations and attributes, and it's recommended to create the same attributes and categories on the new site first.

How often is the plugin updated?

As a WPML ecosystem extension, updates follow the iteration of the main WPML plugin version; please refer to the official documentation for the specific changelog.