WP Smart Import : Import any XML File to WordPress

Description

WP Smart Import is the most powerful and user-friendly solution for importing XML files into WordPress. Effortlessly create Posts, Pages, and any Custom Post Type with content mapped directly from your XML source files.

With an intuitive drag-and-drop template builder and real-time XML node preview, you can visually map your data fields without writing a single line of code. WP Smart Import handles large files efficiently using a batch-based import engine, ensuring reliable performance even on shared hosting environments.

📄 Documentation | ⭐ Upgrade to Pro | 🛟 Get Support

Key Features

  • XML File Import – Import any standard XML file into WordPress with full control over field mapping.
  • Any Post Type Support – Import data into Posts, Pages, WooCommerce Products, or any registered Custom Post Type.
  • Drag & Drop Field Mapping – Visually map XML nodes to WordPress fields using an interactive drag-and-drop interface with live preview.
  • Large File Handling – Batch-based processing engine ensures reliable imports even for very large XML files.
  • Image Import – Download and attach remote images or map local media library files during import.
  • Featured Image Support – Automatically set the first imported image as the post featured image.
  • Unique Key Detection – Prevent duplicate posts by defining a unique identifier field for each import.
  • Update Existing Posts – Optionally update existing posts when the title or unique key matches.
  • Custom Field Mapping – Map XML data to any number of custom meta fields with a flexible repeater UI.
  • Taxonomy & Category Import – Assign imported posts to categories, tags, or custom taxonomies with hierarchical support.
  • Save & Reuse Templates – Save your import configuration as a reusable template for recurring imports.
  • Manage Imports – View, edit, re-run, or delete all saved imports from a centralized dashboard.
  • Manage Files – Keep track of all uploaded source files with options to clean up or reuse.
  • Import Statistics – Detailed counters showing created, updated, and failed records after every import run.

Pro Features (WP Smart Import Pro)

  • CSV and JSON file support with automatic XML conversion.
  • Automated recurring schedules with background cron execution.
  • Run history with detailed logs for every scheduled or manual import.
  • Background batch size configuration for cron-based imports.

Get WP Smart Import Pro

Screenshots

Installation

This plugin can be installed directly from your site.

  1. Log in and navigate to Plugins & Add New.
  2. Type “WP Smart Import” into the Search input and click the “Search” button.
  3. Locate the “WP Smart Import” in the list of search results and click “Install Now”.
  4. Click the “Activate Plugin” link at the bottom of the install screen.

It can also be installed manually.

  1. Download the “WP Smart Import” plugin from WordPress.org.
  2. Unzip the package and move to your plugins directory.
  3. Log into WordPress and navigate to the “Plugins” screen.
  4. Locate “WP Smart Import” in the list and click the “Activate” link.

FAQ

What file formats does WP Smart Import support?

The free version supports XML file imports. If you need to import CSV or JSON files, you can upgrade to WP Smart Import Pro which automatically converts CSV and JSON files to XML on-the-fly during upload.

Can I import large XML files without server timeouts?

Yes. WP Smart Import uses a batch-based processing engine that splits your data into smaller chunks and imports them sequentially via AJAX requests. This prevents PHP timeouts and memory limit issues, making it reliable even on shared hosting environments.

How does the plugin handle duplicate posts during import?

You can define a Unique Key field (e.g., {title[1]} or {id[1]}) during the mapping step. The plugin checks this key before inserting each record. If a matching post already exists, you can choose to either skip it or update the existing post by enabling the “Update Existing” checkbox.

Can I map XML data to custom fields and taxonomies?

Absolutely. The drag-and-drop template builder lets you map XML nodes to any number of custom meta fields using a repeater interface. You can also assign imported posts to categories, tags, or any registered custom taxonomy with full hierarchical support using xPath syntax like {category[1]} > {subcategory[1]}.

What additional features does the Pro version offer?

WP Smart Import Pro adds CSV and JSON file support, automated recurring schedules with WordPress cron, a detailed run history log with post-level status tracking, and configurable background batch sizes for scheduled imports. Visit WP Smart Import Pro to learn more.

Reviews

January 27, 2022
Pretty unintuitive UI and didn’t work very well. Some of the fields mapped didn’t show up at all (like images from URL, or creator and short description as custom fields). I ended up with some basic (unformatted, bare text) posts that will still take significant work to clean up. If your XML has lots of good data, skip this plugin and use another solution that will be less head-scratching to figure out and more effective at duplicating the posts you’re trying to import.
August 6, 2021 1 reply
I had an import issue and it was resolved within a week and a bit. very helpful support. highly recommended. plugin works great. no need for wocommerce add on plugin subscription fees. its an all in one solution for importing products. works fantastically. Big thanks to the support team . Im very very happy.
June 12, 2021 1 reply
Best plugin with a lot of good premium features in the plugin. Recommendations – 1. – Please add a visual text editor toolbox for content section during import. 2. – Add find and replace feature for whole XML file during import to replace text, links, etc. Keep it up! Thank You
December 10, 2020
I tested the CSV import 5 times with multiple csv files and get “Error : file Not Valid”. Despite the claim that it supports CSV, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
November 21, 2019
This plugin does everything and more than most commercial plugins will. I’m going to use it to import a series of articles for which the text and the publication dates are known upfront. I bundle texts, titles, featured image urls and publication dates in an XML and upload to Wordpress. The only thing that I’m missing is the ability to import posts with html in the content.
Read all 12 reviews

Contributors & Developers

“WP Smart Import : Import any XML File to WordPress” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.

Contributors

Changelog

2.0.0

  • ADDED: Setting Page.
  • ADDED: CSV, JSON, And REST API support. ( PRO )
  • ADDED: Selective Sync & Update Rules. ( PRO )
  • ADDED: Automated Cron Scheduling. ( PRO )
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Enhanced security measures across the plugin.
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Increased pagination row limit in the Manage Files table from 5 to 20 rows.
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Redesigned the entire admin user interface with a modern, responsive layout featuring a premium purple/indigo design.
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Upgraded Action column buttons style in the Manage Imports table with standard borders and focus-like outline shadows.
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Implemented AJAX-based scheduling pagination (50 items per page offset limit) across the Manage Schedules table, Run History modal, and details modal.( PRO )

1.1.6

  • FIXED: Resolved missing files table issue.
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for WP 7.0

1.1.5

  • FIXED: Conflict with WooCommerce admin classes resolved.

1.1.4

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for WP 6.8
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Enhanced security by preventing unauthorized file inclusion, safeguarding against potential exploits.

1.1.3

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Enhanced XSS Protection

1.1.2

  • FIXED: Select Existing File Option Issue

1.1.1

  • FIXED: Download Image Bug
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for WP 6.7

1.1.0

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Enhanced protection for XML file processing vulnerabilities during upload and download.

1.0.7

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Fixed XML file processing vulnerabilities during upload to prevent XSS attacks.

1.0.6

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Security by fixing XML file processing vulnerabilities during upload.

1.0.5

  • IMPROVEMENTS: PHP 8 Bugs
  • IMPROVEMENTS: XSS Security Bugs
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for WP 6.4

1.0.4

  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for PHP 8
  • IMPROVEMENTS: Support for WP 6.2

1.0.3

  • FIXED: Security bugs

1.0.2

  • FIXED: jQuery Error

1.0.1

  • FIXED: some bugs.

1.0.0

  • Initial Version.