Do you want to import and export WordPress users from one website to another?
This could be really helpful when you are merging multiple sites and want to automatically shift all users to the new site.
In this article, we will show you how to easily import and export users in WordPress. We’ll also show you how to import export WooCommerce customers as well.
Why or When You May Need to Import and Export Users in WordPress?
While there are several use-cases for importing and exporting WordPress users, the most common scenarios when you need to import and export users are:
- When you purchase a website and want to merge the content and user base.
- When you want to consolidate two sites and merge their content and user base.
- When you want to import customer information into an email list or your CRM.
If you run a membership website or WooCommerce store, then you may also want to keep all your customer data and allow your customers a seamless login experience on the new site aswell.
Let’s take a look at how you can easily import and export users from one WordPress site to another, or move WooCommerce customers from one store to another.
Exporting Users in WordPress
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Import and Export Users and Customers plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, you need to visit the Tools » Import and export users and customers page in WordPress admin area and switch to the Export tab.
From here, you can choose which users you want to export. For instance, you can select by user role and choose to export WooCommerce customers, customers from your membership plugin, or all users.
You can also filter users by date. For instance, you can select users that were created between a specific period.
You can leave the rest of the options to their default values and click on the Download button. The plugin will prepare and download a CSV file to your computer.
CSV or ‘Comma Separated Values’ is a file format which allows you to store data with fields separated by commas. You can open these files in any spreadsheet software like Google Spreadsheets or Microsoft Excel.
Importing WordPress Users
The plugin also makes it easy to import the users back to the same website or a different website.
If you are importing the users to a different WordPress website, then you’ll need to install the plugin on that website as well.
After that, you can go to the Tools » Import and export users and customers page and switch to the ‘Import’ tab.
From here, click on the ‘Choose File’ button to select the CSV file you downloaded earlier.
Below that, you can configure plugin settings to your own requirements. For instance, you can import only users with specific user roles, choose what to do with empty data fields, send emails to users with login link and their credentials, and more.
After reviewing the options, go ahead and click on the ‘Start Importing’ button.
The plugin will start importing WordPress users and will show you a list of users imported.
You can now go to Users » All Users page to see the imported users.
Sending Email to imported users
Now, if you are moving user accounts, then you may want to let them know about the change by sending them an email. The plugin can do that for you during the import but you may want to change the email with your own message.
Simply head over to the Tools » Import and export users and customers page and switch to the Mail Options tab.
By default, the plugin sends the login details to the users in the email. You can add your own message here offering users more details about why they are seeing this email.
Tip: Make sure your WordPress site is able to send email notifications. If you have a lot of users/customers then the plugin may not be able to send notifications. We recommend using the WP Mail SMTP plugin to ensure maximum deliverability. For details, see our guide on how to fix WordPress not sending email issues.
We hope this article helped you easily import and export WordPress users and WooCommerce customers. You may also want to see our guide on how to monitor user activity in WordPress and our ultimate WordPress security guide to keep your website safe.
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Shyam says
How to change this default import user role – subscriber to admin etc.
WPBeginner Support says
It would keep the same user role as they were when imported. You can change user roles in the user section of your wp-admin area.
Admin
Souhila says
Hello
Thank you for the valuable content, I would like to know if there is a possibility to export users from another end not WordPress dashboard, like generating a link that allows to export users with a specific role to a CSV file
Thank you
Enzo Williams says
Im having some issues as i have 81,000 users trying to export to a csv. Which by my guess is several MB it keeps coming up with an error before task can complete.
WPBeginner Support says
More than likely it is taking too long, you may want to try the recommendation in our article below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-fix-fatal-error-maximum-execution-time-exceeded-in-wordpress/
Admin
Lourenço says
If some users already exist – what will happen?
Does it overwrite them?
Regards.
WPBeginner Support says
You would want to reach out to the plugin’s support for the specifics on how that would be handled
Admin
Lourenço says
Thanks I will.
Regards.
Sarah Webster says
Hi there
If I export all users to a new site, will their passwords remain the same?
Thanks!
WPBeginner Support says
Unless I hear otherwise, the passwords should remain the same
Admin
michael says
hello I am lost. I made a website for our club some years ago. the members have passwords to see the content of the page.
now I updated the site and moved the web host (same URL) . Now I want
a) to move / migrate the database including the passwords our members have assigned themselves some years ago (and forgot about them).
b) have them active right away, so there is no problems for the members top go in their page.
Does this work?
Michael
WPBeginner Support says
For moving hosts you could take a look at our guide here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-move-wordpress-to-a-new-host-or-server-with-no-downtime/
When you move the site and users over, they can use the reset password option to get their passwords back or you could use the plugin in our article here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-reset-passwords-for-all-users-in-wordpress/
Admin
Sarah says
Can i use this on a multisite? I tried to export users in a subsite of a multisite, and the export button takes me to the dashboard without downloading the export file.
WPBeginner Support says
You would want to reach out to the plugin’s support for the specifics of how to use it on multisite.
Admin
Chad says
Thank you so much! This plugin was awesome for moving users from a main site to a subdomain prior to transfer.
WPBeginner Support says
You’re welcome
Admin
beth jansen says
Will the plug in create new users, assign passwords, and email them?
Ando says
Yes, it’s doing all those options.
Marin L says
How can I import absolute new users. So they don’t exist yet. Is the email and first and last name enough?
So I have a page made on WordPress and no WooCommerce. It’s just a page.
Stephen says
Does you plugin enable you to IMPORT Gmail and Yahoo contact lists into a WordPress site ?
Many thanks
Stephen
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Stephen,
It can do that. First you will need to export your contacts list in CSV format. Now install the plugin and export your current users, the plugin will generate a CSV file. You need to open this file in a spreadsheet program like Google Sheets or Excel. Notice the arrangement of columns. Now open your contacts list CSV file and arrange the columns in the same way using spreadsheet software. Now save this CSV file and try importing this file using the plugin.
Admin
Lenawa says
Hello
Same problem as Alan , getting this error
keep getting cant insert user without email
Alan says
Doesn’t work! keep getting cant insert user without email
Paul J says
Hello, I was wondering if this plug-in also exports/imports usermeta data
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Paul,
The pro version will be able to do that, please plugin website for details.
Admin