For Staff-Export Dashboard confusion

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    The dashboard interface for exporting one’s site is a bit confusing. On one hand it lists “All content” or select specific content types.

    Media is mentioned at the bottom of that list, but AFAIK this dashboard is not the place where Media Attachment files can be exported. That’s in a different place. (Tools>Export Media Files)

    So, why would Media appear here at Tools>Export? (“Plan” appearing here is another mystery…)

    #modlook

  • Unknown's avatar
    adusman402 · Member ·

    Hi there,

    I understand that the Media option in Export and Export Media Files can be a bit confusing, so I’d like to clarify the difference for you.

    The Media option in Export doesn’t actually contain your media library (like photos, videos, or audio files). Instead, it contains instructions that tell your new site where to find and copy these files from your original site. In other words, it includes links to your media on the site you exported from, and when you import the file into your new site, it uses those links to pull in the media. You can read more about this here:

    https://wordpress.com/support/export/#about-your-site-s-media

    On the other hand, Export Media Library lets you download all the actual files from your Media Library, including images, videos, audio, and documents, in their original formats rather than just links. This is useful if you want to keep a backup copy of your media outside of your website. You can read more about this option here:

    https://wordpress.com/support/export-your-media-library/

    I hope this helps clarify the difference between the Media option in Export and Export Media Library.

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    Thanks @adusman402 that’s informative. But at the same time doesn’t the full site export file contain those same media pointers?

    Also, does the specific media export file here contain both attached and unattached files?

    And the reference to Plan? :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    adusman402 · Member ·

    Hi @justjennifer,

    You’re welcome!

    When you choose All Content in the Export option, it will include your posts, pages, comments, custom fields, terms, navigation menus, custom posts, and links to your media used in those posts or pages. The exported file does not contain the actual media files themselves. Instead, it stores links to the media on your original site. When you import this file to a new site, it will use those links to pull in the media for the imported posts and pages. Media files that aren’t attached to posts or pages will not be included. That’s why it’s important to keep the original site active so the media can be fetched during import.

    The Export Media Library option, on the other hand, will give you the actual media files. When you import this, the files are added to the Media Library on the new site. If you want to use them in posts or pages, you’ll need to insert them manually.

    So, if you want a backup of your entire Media Library (including files not used in posts or pages), use the Export Media Library option. If you want your posts and the media already used in them to carry over, use Export All Content.

    You can export your site content and media library on all plans. However, exporting your full site (including themes and plugins) requires a Business plan or higher.

    I hope this helps clarify further.

  • Unknown's avatar
    justjennifer · Member ·

    Thanks for answering my questions, @adusman402

  • The topic ‘For Staff-Export Dashboard confusion’ is closed to new replies.