How to Import and Export Custom Post Types in WordPress

Moving your WordPress site with a backup plugin is simple. But if you only want to move a custom post type, things can get tricky, as they often have their own taxonomies.

In this article, we will help you import and export custom post types in WordPress. You will also learn to import custom taxonomies linked to your post types.

There are 2 main steps to follow. First, you will move the custom post type and its taxonomies. The second step is to import your custom post type’s data.

What Are Custom Post Types in WordPress?

Custom post types in WordPress let you create different kinds of content beyond the usual posts and pages. By creating a custom post, you can organize and display various content types easily.

For example, if you run a review site, you might have a custom post type for ‘Movies,’ ‘Books,’ or ‘TV Shows.’

Now, there are times when you might need to import and export these custom post types.

Maybe you’re moving your site to a new host or merging multiple sites together. It’s also handy if you’re sharing your setup with someone or duplicating your WordPress site with the same structure.

However, moving custom post types can be tricky. These types often come with their own custom taxonomies, like genres for movies or categories for products. If you don’t move these taxonomies correctly, it can lead to broken links and lost information.

So, knowing how to handle custom post types when moving your site can save you a lot of trouble.

In the following sections, we will share how to import and export custom post types in WordPress. Here’s a quick overview of all the methods we will talk about:

Ready? Let’s get started.

Method 1: Exporting Custom Post Types and Taxonomies in WordPress (Free)

Advanced users may prefer creating custom post types and taxonomies by adding code to their theme’s functions.php file or a site-specific plugin. With this method, you just need to copy the code and paste it into the new site.

But sometimes, finding the code can be tough.

The easier way to do this is to create the same custom post type on the new site. You just need to know the ‘post key value.’

The post key value is the name your WordPress database uses for the post type. You can find it by visiting the post type in your WordPress admin area. Then, simply look for the name in the settings or the URL when you’re on the post type’s page.

Once you have the post key, you’ll want to visit the site where you want to import the post type. After that, you can use the Custom Post Types UI plugin to create your custom post type.

So, let’s install and activate Custom Post Types UI. If you need help, you can see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon installation, you’ll want to navigate to CPT UI » Add/Edit Post Types from your WordPress admin area.

Then, you can type the post key value into the ‘Post Type Slug’ field and complete other custom post type details. Don’t forget to check the box next to ‘I’m trying to migrate things in to CPTUI, let me save this.’

Go ahead and click the ‘Add Post Type’ button when you’re done.

Now, you’ll want to go back to your older WordPress site to export your custom taxonomy using the ‘taxonomy key value.’

You can find your custom taxonomy key by looking at the URL when viewing the custom taxonomy in the post editor.

Simply copy the custom taxonomy key to your clipboard and go back to the new website.

Once you’re in the admin area, you’ll want to navigate to CPT UI » Add/Edit Taxonomies to create the same taxonomy.

Then, simply paste the taxonomy key to the ‘Taxonomy Slug’ field and complete the rest of them. Don’t forget to click the ‘Add Taxonomy’ button to save your progress.

Now, you can repeat the process for all custom post types and taxonomies that you want to import.

Method 2: Custom Post Types & Taxonomies Created by Plugins (Recommended)

Many popular WordPress plugins use custom post types and taxonomies to handle custom content types. For example, Soliloquy uses them to create sliders, eCommerce plugins use them to create products, and so on.

If you want to keep using those plugins, then you don’t need to import CPTs. Simply install the plugin on the target site, and you will have the custom post types and taxonomies ready on your site.

Many such plugins have their own import/export features, but even if a plugin does not have that feature, you can still export the data.

Method 3: Exporting / Importing Custom Post Type and Taxonomies Data in WordPress (Easy)

WordPress comes with a powerful import/export tool that allows you to export and import WordPress data. Simply go to Tools » Export.

You will then see all your post types listed there. So, go ahead and select the post types you want to export and press the ‘Download Export File’ button.

WordPress will then prepare an XML export file, and your browser will start downloading it in no time.

Once done, you can switch to your target site where you want to import this data.

From the admin area, you’ll want to navigate to Tools » Import. In the ‘WordPress’ section, go ahead and click ‘Install Now.’

Upon installation, the button will change to ‘Run Importer.’ Simply click on it, and you’ll see the importer screen.

Here, you’ll need to click the ‘Choose File’ button and select the XML file you downloaded earlier. After that, you can click the ‘Upload file and import’ button.

WordPress will now import your custom post type’s data. All the custom post types you selected earlier will be imported.

Plus, WordPress will automatically add terms to the custom taxonomies.

That’s all! We hope this article helped you import and export custom post types and taxonomies in WordPress. Next, you might want to check out our guide on how to include custom post types in WordPress search results or our expert pick of the most useful WordPress custom post types tutorials.

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