Carlos-barraza-logo-50

The WPML Export and Import Feature

Written by

WPML Export and Import is a functionality within the WordPress Multilingual Plugin (WPML) that allows users to manage the translation and transfer of multilingual content with ease. WPML is a popular plugin designed to create and manage multilingual websites, providing a seamless translation process for WordPress users.

The WPML Export and Import Feature

Table of Contents

WPML logo

Best Translation Plugin for Content Websites

Visit WPML

Understanding WPML Translation

WPML facilitates the translation of website content, including pages, posts, custom post types, and taxonomies. It enables users to maintain different language versions of their website, making it accessible to a global audience.

Plugin and WPML Compatibility

WPML is compatible with various plugins to enhance its functionality, offering an extensive range of add-ons to integrate with e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and simplify content import and export processes.

Export and Import of WPML

For users new to WPML, getting started with the export and import feature involves installing the WPML plugin, setting the default language, and configuring language options for multilingual content management.

Learning about the WPML Export Import

The WPML feature of exporting and importing allows users to add to their WordPress environment their content in different language through and export/import process.

You have the flexibility to choose your import workflow. This helps you to add all content in several languages from a single file or create different files for each language. If you opt for separate language imports, ensure that all languages are imported before executing WPML Export and Import.

How does WPML Export and Import Works

  • Prepare your import file(s): Include language columns in your import file(s) to link your main language content with its translations. For posts, you can also specify the final post status.
  • Perform the import: Use your chosen plugin to import the multilingual content as usual.
  • Adjust languages with WPML Export and Import: After importing, navigate to WPML → Export and Import. WPML Export and Import establishes the language of your content and connects translations. Simply click a button and observe the process.

Create your WPML Import file

To create the language translations, WPML Export Import must have specific language columns in the CSV or XML file. WPML Export Import uses meta fields as custom fields. 

Your CSV or XML file can have any column names, but utilizing the reserved fields defined below can simplify the mapping process:

  • _wpml_import_translation_group: A shared value for default language items and translations, such as SKU for e-commerce sites or the translation ID group (trid).

  • _wpml_import_language_code: Language code(s) for each imported item (e.g., en, es, fr).

  • _wpml_import_source_language_code: Required for translations, indicating the source language code. Leave this field blank for content in the source language.

Here’s an example of a multilingual import file: [Include the example file here or provide a brief illustration.]

Adding the Post Status 

For updates, maintain the post status of already-published content. For an efficient workflow, importing new posts as Drafts is recommended. This is because, after importing with your chosen tool, items may not yet display under the correct language, often being grouped under All languages or the site’s default language.

By importing posts as drafts, you prevent mixed languages from displaying on the website’s front end and eliminate the need for manual post status updates later. Specify the final post status after import by adding the _wpml_import_after_process_post_status field to your import file.

If _wpml_import_after_process_post_status is not set, WPML Export and Import assumes that your imported posts are already in their final status.

Importing Multilingual Content with an Import Plugin

Using your preferred plugin or tool, import your XML or CSV file into WordPress. For example, with the WP All Import plugin, map the language columns to Custom Fields during the import process.

After the import, the content may not be assigned to the correct language; in our example, it is grouped under All languages.

Run the WPML Export and Import Feature

Go to WPML → Export and Import to set the language of your imported content. If your imported content is ready for processing, you’ll find a button labeled “Run WPML Import.” Click it, and let WPML Export and Import automatically progress through the steps, including cleaning up multilingual metadata for a tidy database.

Upon completion, your content should be properly assigned to the correct languages and linked to translations.

How to Use WPML Export Feature?

The WPML export feature allows users to export multilingual content from their WordPress website for various purposes, such as backup, migration, or sharing with translation services.

Exporting Multilingual Content

Users can include translations for all content, such as pages, posts, and custom post types, in the export process, ensuring a comprehensive transfer of multilingual data.

Using WP All Export Plugin

WP All Export is a popular plugin that integrates with WPML, providing advanced export options and the ability to customize the export format based on specific multilingual content requirements.

Export Compatibility with WP

WPML export is compatible with various WordPress versions, ensuring seamless export operations without compatibility issues.

Common Issues with WPML Export and Import

Despite its extensive features, WPML export and import may encounter known compatibility issues with certain plugins or configurations, leading to unresolved compatibility problems for some users.

Known Compatibility Issues

Users may encounter compatibility issues when integrating WPML with certain plugins or executing complex import processes, requiring specific troubleshooting to ensure seamless functionality.

Unresolved Compatibility Problems

Some compatibility problems may remain unresolved, impacting the importing of multilingual content and requiring additional steps to resolve underlying issues.

Importing Multilingual Content

The import process involves transferring multilingual content, ensuring that all translations and language-specific data are accurately imported and integrated into the WordPress website.

Integrating WPML with Other Plugins

WPML can be integrated with various plugins to enhance multilingual content management and streamline the import and export processes.

Adding Compatibility with WooCommerce

Integrating WPML with WooCommerce enhances the multilingual e-commerce experience, enabling users to manage language-specific product listings and facilitate international sales.

Using WP All Import for Multilingual Content

WP All Import provides robust functionality for importing multilingual content, seamlessly integrating with WPML to enable the efficient transfer and management of language-specific data.

Handling CSV File Import with WPML

WPML supports the import of multilingual content through CSV files, offering a convenient method to import and export language-specific data for efficient content management.

Optimizing WPML for Specific Needs

Users can optimize WPML to address specific requirements related to taxonomy management, custom post types, and the efficient import and export of multilingual content.

Managing Taxonomy in Multilingual Sites

WPML enables users to manage taxonomy across different language versions of their website, ensuring consistency and coherence in multilingual content organization.

Importing and Exporting Custom Post Types

Users can import and export custom post types with language-specific attributes, streamlining the transfer and management of diverse content across multilingual websites.

Optimizing Multilingual Content Imports

WPML offers features to optimize the import of multilingual content, providing efficient methods to import language-specific data and seamlessly integrate it into the WordPress website.

More about Multilingual WordPress