Exporting/Importing Widget Data

Export data from individual widget instances without affecting the rest of the site. Many widgets support exporting and importing their data separately, including:

• Blogs
• Bookmarks
• Dynamic Data Lists
• Forms
• Knowledge Base
• Message Boards
• Web Content
• Wiki
• And more

The export process generates a .lar file, which you can import into another widget of the same type.

Export/Import Methods

You can export/import widget content in two ways:

1. Use the widget’s administrative area.

2. Access the widget on its page.

Both methods work similarly, but the administrative area may show different data from the widget’s page. For example, the Web Content section in the Liferay DXP Menu and the Web Content Display widget show different export/import options.

Using the Widget’s Administrative Area

1. Go to the widget’s area in the Liferay DXP Menu (e.g., Content & Data → Web Content).

2. Click Options () in the top-right corner and select Export / Import.

   If your Options menu lists Export and Import as separate items, see Exporting and Importing with Separate Menu Items.

3. Select the Export or Import tab to begin.

Using the Widget on a Page

1. Start editing the page where the widget has been deployed.

2. Click Options () for the widget and select Export / Import.

   If your Options menu lists Export and Import as separate items, see Exporting and Importing with Separate Menu Items.

   Note

   Before Liferay DXP 2025.Q1/Portal GA132, the Export / Import option appeared in the widget’s top-right corner.

3. Select the Export or Import tab to begin.

Exporting and Importing with Separate Menu Items

Release Feature

This flow requires the feature.flag.LPD-57655 feature flag, which is disabled by default. With the flag enabled, the widget’s Options menu lists Export and Import as two separate items rather than the combined Export / Import item.

1. Go to the widget’s area in the Liferay DXP Menu (e.g., Content & Data → Web Content), or start editing the page where the widget has been deployed.

2. Click Options () for the widget and select Export or Import.

   

   Each option leads to a page listing only that widget’s processes, rather than every process on the site.

   

3. Click New to create an export or import process.

The export and import options in this flow are scoped to the single widget and match the ones described in Configuring Exports with LPD-57655 Enabled and Configuring Imports with LPD-57655 Enabled.

Exporting Widget Data

To export widget data, create a new export process using the New Export Process tab. Configure the following options:

Export Settings

Setting	Description
Application Settings	Includes widget settings. Some widgets export related content automatically.
Date Range	All: Exports all content. Date Range: Specify start and end dates. Last…: Export content from a recent period (e.g., last 48 hours).
Content Selection	Choose specific types and metadata (e.g., Comments, Ratings, Referenced Content).
Deletions	Include deletions made within the selected period.
Permissions	Export assigned permissions if needed.

After exporting, check the Current and Previous tab to download the .lar file or view export history.

Importing Widget Data

To import widget data, upload the .lar file using the file picker or by dragging it into the designated area.

Import Settings

Setting	Description
Application	Includes application settings such as configuration and setup.
Content	Categories depend on the widget or content type being imported. For example, Message Boards may include Categories, Messages, Thread Flags, and User Bans. Web Content may include Web Content Articles, Comments, and Ratings.
Deletions	Delete Application Data Before Importing: Clears all existing widget data. Replicate Individual Deletions: Reproduces delete actions from the export file.
Permissions	Import Permissions: Includes assigned permissions from the export file.
Update Data	Mirror: Creates new entries on the first import and updates them on subsequent imports. This is the default. Mirror with overwriting: Overwrites a document or an image found with the same name. Copy as New: Creates new entries with each import, regardless of existing data.
Authorship of the Content	Use the Original Author: Keeps the original author if found; otherwise, assigns the current user. Use the Current User as Author: Assigns the current user as the author for all imported content.

Mirror is always available. Mirror with overwriting applies only to Documents and Media. For other widgets, Mirror with overwriting appears disabled, with help text explaining that the application either doesn’t use applicable data or doesn’t uniquely identify data by name. Copy as New is available unless the widget declares otherwise.

After configuring options, click Import to complete the process.

Configuring Related Asset Export for Asset Publisher

By default, an Asset Publisher export doesn’t include the assets the widget displays, because that content is usually already present in the target environment. Two settings change this:

1. Open the Global Menu (), click the Control Panel, and go to System Settings → Assets.

2. Click Asset Publisher under System Scope in the left menu.

3. Check Enable Dynamic Export.

   When enabled, an export includes all related assets within the Dynamic Export Limit.

4. Check Enable Manual Export.

   When enabled, you can select which related assets to include in the export.

5. Click Save.

Related Topics

• Communication Between Widgets
• Exporting/Importing Site Pages and Content