Export your blog

So now I’ve created a blog, website or eP using UBC Blogs WordPress… what do I do when I graduate?

As an alumni, you will continue to have access to your CWL and UBC Blogs account. Your blog(s) can live on and stay on UBC’s FIPPA compliant, secure servers. You may decide, however, that you’d like to export a copy of your blog either to keep as a back up or to upload onto your own server or a WordPress site that has templates, plugins or themes you prefer (ex. WordPress.com or Edublogs.org).

Either way, while UBC blogs keeps a backup of your site, I think it’s always a good idea to keep my own backup copy.

For a quick guide, download this step by step handout I created:
Exporting-and-Importing-Wordpress-Files1

There are two ways of backing up using the XML backup file:

1. Import to another WordPress site (either moving it there or importing it as a backup)
2. Save attachments and XML file to a local disk

For either method, you will need to export an XML file from your site. Follow these steps:

• In your site Dashboard, click on Export under the Tools section on the left side of the screen.
• Use the filter to decide what content you want to backup from your blog. The default setting should be everything in your blog.
• Click on Download Export File to save an XML file on your local computer. Be sure that you put it in a safe place (i.e. flash drive, your own computer) and remember where to find it later. You can export an XML file anytime for the latest version of your blog.

Now you are ready to Import your site to another WordPress site if you’d like.

• Go to your other WordPress site (Some possible sites include blogs.ubc.ca/, wordpress.com, edublogs.org, Blogger)
• In the Dashboard, go to WordPress admin, click on Import under the Tools section on the left side of the screen.
• In the next screen, click on WordPress. There are also other options, but in this tutorial you will import your backup into a WordPress blog.
• Click on the Browse button and choose your XML backup file you saved previously. If you do not have this file, you’ve lost your backup.
• Click the Upload file and import button after you’ve selected the XML file.
  • The next screen prompts you for mapping options. Authors from your backup file is listed (blue). You can create them, or you can map to existing authors on the blog that it is being imported into (If you are the only author, this will be automatic).
  • Next, check the Download and import file attachments if you have any files (i.e. images, doc, etc.) in your Media Library in the backup version. When you are done, click on the Submit button at the bottom.
  • Wait while WordPress is importing from your XML file. When it is done, check the imported site to make sure everything was imported.
  • You may need to select a new theme if the new site does not have the same one that you were using and it is likely that you’ll have recreate your menu/main navigation.

Still unsure how to proceed? UBC Blog support is always willing to answer your questions…

Please contact them and/or visit one of their drop in sessions at IKE Barber.

https://blogs.ubc.ca/support/