Backing-up an efolio and/or importing to another WordPress site

This tutorial walks you through the process of creating a backup of your blog and importing to another site.

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

Export XML Backup File

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

  1. In your portfolio Dashboard, click on Export under the Tools section on the left side of the screen.
  2. Use the filter to decide what content you want to backup from your blog. The default setting is everything in your blog. Then click on Download Export File to save a XML file in the 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 a XML file anytime for the latest version of your blog.

Now you are ready to choose which way to backup your blog.

1. Importing to another WordPress site.

Important Note: this method only works if your ePortfolio blog/site still exists.

  1. Go to your other WordPress site
    (Some possible sites include blogs.ubc.ca/, wordpress.com, edublogs.org)
  2. In the WordPress admin, click on Import under the Tools section on the left side of the screen.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. Next, click the Upload file and import button after you’ve selected the XML file.
  5. 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 is being imported to. 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.
  6. 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.

2. Save Attachments and XML file locally

  1. Every time you upload files (i.e. image, documents, etc.) to the Media Library on your blog, save them to somewhere safe in a data storage (i.e. USB flash drive, laptop, or computer, etc.).
  2. Export an XML file as above; save to your safe location.