WordPress has a built-in export tool that makes it easy to move posts, pages and other content to another WordPress installation. It is useful, but it is important to understand what it does and what it does not do.
What the WordPress export tool creates
Go to Tools > Export in the WordPress dashboard. WordPress creates a WXR file, which is an XML file designed for moving WordPress content between sites.
Depending on the options you select, the export can include posts, pages, custom post types, comments, custom fields, categories, tags, custom taxonomies and user information. You can export all content or filter posts and pages by criteria such as author, date or status.
How to export your content
- Open Tools > Export.
- Select All content, Posts, Pages, or another available content type.
- Apply filters if you only want part of the site.
- Click Download Export File.
- Store the resulting XML file somewhere safe.
How to import it into another WordPress site
On the destination site, open Tools > Import and use the WordPress importer. Upload the WXR file and follow the import steps.
If the source site is still accessible, the importer can also attempt to retrieve media associated with the imported content. For an important migration, check the media library and individual pages afterwards rather than assuming every file has transferred perfectly.
An export is not a complete backup
This is the most important distinction. The built-in WordPress export tool is primarily a content export. It is not a full copy of the entire website.
A WXR export does not replace a backup of your WordPress files and database. Your theme files, plugin files, server configuration and other site-level data require a proper backup or migration process.
Export, backup or migration?
Use the built-in export tool when you want to move selected WordPress content, create a portable copy of posts and pages, or transfer content into another WordPress installation.
Use a full backup or migration solution when you need an operational copy of the whole site, including the database, uploads, plugins, themes and configuration. That is the safer approach when changing hosting providers or restoring a site after a failure.
A practical habit
For small content changes, the WXR export is simple and useful. For a real migration, keep both a full backup and a content export. The two files solve different problems, and having both gives you more recovery options if something goes wrong.