Update: Please see this recent post regarding this WordPress function.
A few weeks back I was in need of exporting the blogroll out of one WordPress install for importing into another. I was dismayed to find that WordPress does not have this ability built-in. It seems you can import almost anything, but export nothing. :???:
So I searched for a plugin to do this — a few hours later, the closest I came was a plugin for exporting your blogroll for importing into del.icio.us. I have modified the plugin and added OPML formatting necessary for importing into WordPress via Blogroll > Import Links.
Note: I modeled the OPML formatting after that used by Blogrolling.com so it will work there as well. It may work for other services, it may not … I don’t know because I haven’t tried. Would love to hear from anyone who’s been able to use it in another capacity and/or another service!
Requires
WordPress version 2.2 or higher — may work with previous versions, I hadn’t tested!
Instructions
- Download the zip file and unzip.
- Upload the blogroll-opml-export.php file to WordPress plugins directory and activate on the Plugins page in WP-Admin
- Go to Options > Export Blogroll
- Copy the exported links from the textarea box into a blank text file and save as FILENAME_OF_YOUR_CHOICE.opml
- Import as needed. For importing into WordPress, go to Blogroll > Import Links
Download
Click here to download the zip file.
Caveats / Issues
Problems that I ran into when importing the OPML format, all ampersands must be in a valid XHTML format (using &). Also, be sure to remove any odd characters (such as the curly apostrophes, quotes, and other characters commonly used in MS Word). If you experience an error while importing, check your OPML file first for invalid characters or bad formatting.
Also, this plugin exports from ALL link categories. I have not yet looked into a way to export from only selected ones. (and may not do so, depends on my time)
Disclaimer
Use at your own risk. No warranty expressed or implied is provided. There is no guarantee that this will work for your version of WordPress, I wrote this out of need for myself and am sharing in the hopes someone else finds it useful.
Copyright / Permission
This plugin is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license. Have fun!
Beth
Thank you, Nicki! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!!!!!!!! :grin:
Beth’s last blog post: Internet Flashback
Nicki
You’re most welcome. :)
Miriam
This is awesome!! I also was dismayed to discover that WP links can’t be exported, especially since I had invested quite some time in creating a link list on WordPress Garage. This plugin is so great! I can’t wait to try it out. Thanks.
Miriam’s last blog post: Publishing WordPress posts in two columns
Miriam
One more question though – I eventually did figure out a way to export the blogroll, but when I would import it all the categories I gave the links would be lost. Does your plugin retain the categories?
Miriam’s last blog post: Publishing WordPress posts in two columns
Nicki
Hi Miriam, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Unfortunately, no it does not retain categories, but you can choose into which category you can import them.
Bobby
Great Plugin!
Thanks for the initiative you took to solve a problem…
Gonahkar
I think this is a built-in ability in wordpress to export the blogroll opml, look at this url: http://www.nitallica.org/wp-links-opml.php
:)
Nicki
Holy fsck. Now how come I can’t find this documented anywhere in the WP codex? And why isn’t this an option in the WP admin?
Thanks for the link/info. This gives me another idea…
Chris
Thank you for this nifty plugin :-) I just discovered your site. Have you designed any other plugins? I’d love to see what else you have.
Nicki
Hi Chris, and thanks. On my Portfolio page, it lists all my varied works (themes, designs, etc.). Or you can go here to get to the Plugins page directly.
Chad Everson
You just saved me days of work! You rock!
Woo Hoo!
Thank you!
Chad
washwords
now ummm, what about exporting from wordpress.com to a wordpress hosted (2.6) blog? that’s what I’m trying to do. there’s gotta be a way no? thanks, your web site is lovely!
washwords’s last blog post: test post
k|torz
:mrgreen: excelent plugin: great job !
Thank you!