Key highlights
- Three methods to export WordPress content – WordPress Export tool, WP All Export plugin and phpMyAdmin.
- WordPress Export tool is simple and free but doesn’t include media files.
- WP All Export plugin offers more control and automation for exporting content.
- Manual database export provides full data access but requires technical knowledge.
- Large websites may require a combination of export methods for efficiency.
- Regular backups ensure content remains safe during transfers.
- Bluehost offers a free migration tool with WordPress hosting plans.
Introduction
Worried about losing images, SEO data or formatting when exporting your WordPress posts? You’re not alone! Many WordPress users struggle with messy imports, broken links and missing files. That’s why knowing how to export posts from WordPress correctly is important.
This guide explores three easy and reliable methods to export WordPress posts while preserving content integrity. We’ll also share best practices to ensure a smooth transfer with minimal errors.
How to export posts from WordPress
You can export WordPress content by using any of these three methods:
- WordPress Export tool
- WP All Export plugin
- Manual database export
Method 1: How to export posts from WordPress using the WordPress Export tool
One of the easiest ways to export your WordPress posts is by using the built-in WordPress Export tool. This beginner-friendly method allows you to export posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories and tags into an XML file. So, you can import it into another WordPress site.
Steps to export WordPress posts using the WordPress Export tool
Here is the step-by-step method to export WordPress posts:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the ‘Tool’ tab from the left-hand panel. Then, click on ‘Export’.
- Choose ‘Posts’ if you only want to export blog posts. You can filter posts by category, author, date range or status if needed.
- Click the ‘Download Export File’ button to generate an XML file (WordPress eXtended RSS or WXR).
- Save the file to your computer.
Pros and cons of using the in-built WordPress Export tool
Here are the pros and cons of using the WordPress Export tool for exporting blog posts:
| Pros | Cons |
| Beginner-friendly and comes built-in with WordPress | Doesn’t export media files (images remain on the original server) |
| Allows filtering posts by category, author or date | Limited control over the export format |
| Free and no additional plugins needed | Not ideal for large websites with thousands of posts |
Evidently enough, this method is best for small-to-media-sized blogging websites. You can also use it when you quickly want to transfer a limited number of posts.
Method 2: How to export posts from WordPress using the WP All Export plugin
Plugins allow you to export posts with images, metadata, custom fields and taxonomies while offering advanced filtering and formatting options. WP All Export is one of the best plugins for exporting posts.
Step to export WordPress posts using the WP All Export plugin
Here is a step-by-step method for exporting WordPress posts using the WP All Export plugin:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard to install and activate the plugin.
- Now, navigate to ‘All Export’ from the left navigation menu and click on ‘New Export’.
3. Select ‘Posts’ as the export type.
- You can apply filters to export specific posts based on author, category or date range.
- Click on ‘Customize Export File’ and use the drag-and-drop interface to choose fields (title, content, categories, tags, custom fields, etc.). Once done, click ‘Continue’.
- On the next page, you can configure advanced settings. If you are unsure about it, just skip it.
- Name your export file and click ‘Save & Run Export’ to generate the file.
Pros and cons of using a plugin
Here are the pros and cons of using the WP All Export plugin for exporting WordPress blog posts:
| Pros | Cons |
| Allows exporting posts with images, categories and metadata. | Some advanced features may require a premium version. |
| Provides customization and filtering options. | Adds another plugin to your site, which may affect performance. |
| Supports multiple formats (XML, JSON, Excel, CSV). | May require additional steps to export a blog post. |
If you need advanced filtering, additional file formats or want to export large amounts of data, using a plugin is a better choice.
Method 3: How to manually export WordPress posts using phyMyAdmin
If you need more control over the exported data, then using a database to export WordPress posts will suit you. Usually, developers prefer this method when dealing with large websites. It’s also ideal for custom post types or database migrations that need precise extraction of data.
Steps to manually export WordPress posts
Here is a step-by-step method for exporting WordPress posts using phpMyAdmin:
- Log in to your web hosting account. For this method, we are using the Bluehost account manager.
- Go to ‘Hosting’ from the left-side menu and click on ‘cPanel’ under ‘Quick Links’.
- Under ‘Databases’, click on ‘phpMyAdmin’.
- Now, locate your relevant tables:
- _posts table contains all post content.
- _postmeta table stores metadata related to posts (such as SEO settings, custom fields, etc.).
- The terms, term-relationships and term_taxonomy tables store categories and tags.
- To export these tables, check all the posts and go to the ‘Export’ tab.
6. Choose the ‘Quick Export’ option for a simple WordPress backup or ‘Custom Export’ for advanced filtering.
- Select the recommended SQL format. You can choose CSV if you need a spreadsheet file.
- Click ‘Export’ to download the exported file.
Pros and cons of manually exporting WordPress posts
Here are the pros and cons of exporting WordPress posts using phpMyAdmin (WordPress database):
| Pros | Cons |
| Full control over exported data. | Requires database knowledge (risk of errors if mishandled). |
| Ideal for large websites or custom post types. | Media files are not included. |
| Faster for advanced users. | Not ideal for non-technical users. |
This method is more suited for developers or website administrators who need customized data export. It’s also useful when performing manual WordPress migrations.
Also read: How to Manage a Database Using PhpMyAdmin
How to export WordPress posts with images to PDFs
Exporting your WordPress posts in PDF format allows you to export image files along with text-based content. So, you don’t have to download them separately. It also helps repurpose your WordPress website content for the newsletter.
Here’s a step-by-step method to export a WordPress blog post into a PDF file using the Print My Blog plugin:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard. Then, install and activate the Print My Blog plugin.
- Go to the ‘Print My Blog’ tab, then click on ‘Settings’.
- Check the ‘Posts’ box in the ‘Show print buttons on’ setting and select ‘Save Settings’.
- Now, you can see a ‘PDF’ label appearing on the upper part of all your site pages and posts.
- Click on the ‘PDF’ button and then ‘Print to PDF’.
- Now, set the destination to ‘Save as PDF’ and click on the ‘Save’ button.
Best practices for exporting WordPress posts
Exporting your WordPress posts isn’t just about clicking a button and downloading a file. To ensure a smooth transfer and avoid data loss, follow these best practices:
Test in a staging environment
Before importing your exported posts into a live site, test the process in a staging environment. This prevents formatting issues, broken links and missing images from affecting your actual website. Here is how to set up the staging site:
- If you’re a Bluehost user, you can create a staging WordPress site directly from your account manager dashboard. To access it, go to Hosting > site’s Settings > Staging.
- Alternatively, you can use plugins like WP Staging to create a temporary duplicate of your site.
Review and validate exported data
Once you’ve exported your WordPress posts, open XML, CSV or SQL file to verify if:
- The right number of posts is included.
- Categories, tags and metadata, such as SEO descriptions, are intact.
- Post formatting, such as headings, bullet points and hyperlinks, is preserved.
For CSV exports, you can use Excel or Google Sheets to review the data.
Double-check SEO settings
If you’re migrating posts to a new site, ensure that your SEO settings, URL and meta descriptions transfer correctly. Here’s the checklist for preserving SEO during export:
- Export SEO metadata: Use plugins like Yoast SEO to transfer titles, descriptions and custom fields.
- Set up 301 redirects: Redirect old URLs to new ones to prevent broken links and maintain traffic.
- Verify canonical URLs: Avoid duplicate content issues by ensuring proper canonical tags.
Schedule regular backups
Before making any major changes, back up your WordPress site. This ensures that if anything goes wrong, you can restore your posts. CodeGuard and Jetpack are the best backup plugins.
Secure your export files
Exported files, especially those containing sensitive content or private data, should be stored securely. Here are some best practices for security:
- Avoid storing XML, CSV or SQL files on public servers.
- Use password-protected cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
- Delete export files from your hosting account after completing the import.
How Bluehost can help with WordPress migration
Migrating WordPress content — whether to a new website, a different platform or a backup — can be stressful if not done correctly.
Bluehost’s WordPress hosting features
Bluehost is one of the most trusted web hosting providers. Officially recommended by WordPress.org, we offer different hosting plans that are both affordable and come packed with advanced features. So, you can easily set up a new website at a minimum cost. Here are some major features of Bluehost WordPress hosting:
- One-click WordPress installation to set up a new site effortlessly.
- Automatic backup so you never lose your data when exporting posts.
- WordPress staging site to test exported/imported posts before making them live
- Free domain for 1 year with all Bluehost web hosting plans.
- Free AI website builder helps onboard quickly with AI and offers a custom, ready-to-go site.
- Free WordPress site migration tool to easily migrate your site to Bluehost.
- Latest generation hardware includes NVMe storage, AMD EPYC chips and DDR5 RAM.
- Managed WordPress updates keep your site up-to-date and running smoothly.
- Free Yoast SEO and Creative Mail to optimize your site for search engines and streamline email marketing.
- 24/7 expert WordPress support to assist you with migration or technical issues whenever you need.
- Enhanced security with SSL certificate, malware scanning and firewall protection.
Bluehost WordPress migration service
If you want to migrate your WordPress site to a new host, the Bluehost migration tool is simple to use. Our expert WordPress team handles every detail, from initial backup to final DNS configuration. This ensures a secure, fast and seamless transition with minimal downtime. Here are some major features of our migration service:
- Simple and automated migration tool to transfer your site effortlessly.
- Expert migration assistance to handle every step of your site’s transfer.
- Comprehensive data transfer, including files, themes, plugins and databases.
- Zero downtime assurance so your site remains accessible during migration.
- Free migration for eligible hosting plans makes the transition cost-effective.
- Enhanced security measures to protect your site data throughout the process.
- Performance optimization ensures your site runs efficiently on Bluehost servers.
- Post-migration support to assist with setup, troubleshooting and fine-tuning.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re backing up content or migrating to a new platform, choosing the right method to export WordPress content ensures a smooth transition. Start with the built-in WordPress Export tool or use WP All Export plugin for advanced options. For full control, phpMyAdmin is best suited for developers.
Remember, choosing a reliable hosting provider is equally important for a seamless WordPress experience. Bluehost comes with a free migration tool, expert WordPress support and high-performing hosting plans. So, whether you’re moving a single post or an entire site, we simplify everything for you.
Want a stress-free WordPress migration? Try Bluehost’s migration service today!
FAQs
To move WordPress posts to another platform like Blogger or Medium:
1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to ‘Tools’ > ‘Export’ and download an XML file.
3. Convert it to a supported format (CSV or Markdown) if needed.
Some CMS platforms offer built-in import tools for streamlined migration.
Yes, the WordPress Export tool allows you to filter posts by category, author, date range or post status before exporting. For more advanced filtering, use plugins like WP All Export to customize your export settings.
To copy posts within WordPress, you can use a Duplicate Post plugin or copy and paste the content manually. But if you want to transfer posts to another WordPress site:
1. Go to WordPress dashboard > Tools > Export.
2. Select ‘Posts’ and apply filters (optional).
3. Click ‘Download Export File’ to get the XML file.
4. Import it into another WordPress site via Tools > Import.
The WordPress Export tool doesn’t include actual images but their URLs. For a complete image transfer, use the exporting plugin or manually move the uploads folder via FTP.
To export WordPress posts as an Excel-compatible file:
1. Use a plugin like WP All Export and select CSV format.
2. Download the file and open it in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for further editing.
To download all posts at once:
1. Go to ‘Tools’ in the WordPress dashboard and click ‘Posts’ to get an XML file.
2. Or use the WP All Export plugin to download your posts in CSV or JSON formats.
3. For database-level backup, export the ‘_posts’ table from phpMyAdmin.
