Short answer: WordPress’s built-in Export tool moves posts, pages and media, but it does not export your full user list. To move users you need a user import/export plugin, or a full-site migration that copies the database. Either way, back up first and check afterwards that roles and email addresses came across correctly.
In this guide, you will learn how to export users, bring them into a new site, and handle bigger jobs like WordPress content migration. Every step is written in plain words, so even beginners can follow along. No tech skills needed, just a little time and care. Want more easy WordPress tips? Browse our latest guides for quick help.
Why You Might Need to Import and Export WordPress Users
Most site owners look for this feature when something changes. Here are the most common reasons:
- You are merging two websites. Maybe you bought a new site or want to combine two blogs into one.
- You are moving to a new domain or host. Your users need to come with you.
- You run a membership site or online store. Customers and members are your most valuable data.
- You want to use your list elsewhere. Many people export users to add them to an email tool or CRM.
- You are building a fresh site. You want to keep your audience but start with a clean design.
Whatever your reason, the goal is the same. You want your users on the new site with the right details, the right roles, and no lost accounts.
What Data Gets Moved With WordPress Users?
Before you start, it helps to know what a user record contains. A typical WordPress user has:
- Username and email address
- First and last name
- User role, such as subscriber, editor, or customer
- Registration date
- Extra profile fields added by plugins
Extra fields, such as billing details from a store or membership levels, are stored as “user meta.” Not every tool moves this data by default, so always check what your chosen method supports.
Method 1: Use the Built In WordPress Export Tool
WordPress has a native tool under Tools > Export. It works well for posts, pages, and comments. But it is not built for moving a full user list.
Here is what it does with users. When you export posts, WordPress includes the author details for those posts. When you import that file on the new site, WordPress lets you match or create those authors.
That means only people who wrote content are carried over. Subscribers, customers, and members who never published anything will not come along. Passwords are also not included.
So this method is fine for a small blog with a few authors. For anything bigger, use a dedicated plugin.
Method 2: Export Users With a Plugin
A user management plugin is the easiest way to export users as a CSV file. One popular free option is Import and Export Users and Customers. Here is how it works.
Step 1: Install the plugin. On your current site, go to Plugins > Add New, search for the plugin, then install and activate it.
Step 2: Open the export screen. Go to Tools > Import and Export Users and Customers, then open the Export tab.
Step 3: Choose your filters. You can export all users or pick a role, like customers or subscribers. You can also filter by the date the account was created. This is handy if you only need recent sign ups.
Step 4: Download the file. Click the download button. The plugin creates a CSV file with your user details. You can open it in Excel or Google Sheets to review it.
Take a minute to scan the file. Look for empty email fields, strange characters, or duplicate rows. Cleaning it now saves you trouble later.
How to Import Users Into a New WordPress Site
Once you have your CSV file, the import is just as quick.
Step 1: Install the same plugin on the new site. Both sites need the tool.
Step 2: Upload your file. Go to the same plugin page, open the Import tab, and choose your CSV file.
Step 3: Pick your settings. You will see options like sending a welcome email or forcing users to reset their password at first login. For safety, resetting passwords is a smart choice, especially if your users have sensitive data in their accounts.
Step 4: Start the import. Click the import button and wait. When it finishes, you will see the list of new users.
A common error is “can’t insert a user without email.” This means a row in your file has no email address. Fix the row, save the file, and try again.
If you are importing a very large list, the process may time out. Break your file into smaller parts and import them one at a time.
Method 3: Move Everything With a Full Site Migration
Here is something most user guides do not tell you. If you are moving your whole website, you probably do not need to export users separately at all.
WordPress stores your users in the database. So when you move the full database, your users move with it. This is the cleanest way to transfer content, because posts, pages, media, settings, and users all arrive together.
This is where a migration tool like WP Demi helps. It moves your database, plugins, themes, and uploads from one domain or server to another. Your user accounts stay linked to their content and roles, because nothing is split apart.
Full migration makes the most sense when you are:
- Switching hosting providers
- Changing your domain name
- Moving a staging site to live
- Cloning a site for a client
If that sounds like your situation, read our guide on how to migrate a WordPress site to a new host without losing data or rankings. Prefer a comparison? We also covered All-in-One WP Migration and how it handles moves and backups.
[Add link: your Demi migration documentation page]
Which Method Should You Choose?
Use this simple rule:
- Moving only users (for example, to an email tool or a second site)? Use a CSV plugin.
- Moving a few authors with their posts? The built in export tool is enough.
- Moving the entire site? Use a full migration plugin so nothing gets left behind.
Many people pick the wrong tool and then spend hours fixing missing data. A few minutes of planning avoids that.
Always Back Up Before You Import Website Data
This step is the one people skip, and it is the one they regret most.
When you import website data, you are changing your database. If something goes wrong, such as a crashed import or overwritten accounts, you need a way back. A backup gives you that.
Before any import or export, create a full copy of your site. Our step by step guide on how to back up your WordPress site takes only a few minutes to follow. If you want to understand the risk better, read how a WordPress backup protects you from data loss.
With WP Demi, you can create a full site and database backup and restore it in one click. That safety net lets you test imports without fear.
Keep User Data Safe and Private
User lists contain personal details, so treat your CSV file with care.
- Delete the file after use. Do not leave it in your downloads folder or on a shared drive.
- Send it only through secure channels. Avoid sharing it over plain email.
- Force password resets. Never assume old passwords should carry over.
- Use a strong security setup. Check our list of the best WordPress security plugins to protect your login pages and user data.
If your users are moving between sites, tell them ahead of time. A short email explaining the change builds trust and cuts down on support questions.
Check Everything After You Transfer Content
Once the import is done, do not stop. Spend ten minutes on these checks:
- Count your users. Compare the total with your original site.
- Test a few logins. Try a subscriber, an editor, and an admin account.
- Review roles. Make sure no one receives a higher role than they should have.
- Send a test email. Confirm your welcome or reset message actually arrives.
- Check restricted pages. If you use members only content, make sure the right people can see it. Our guide on how to password protect WordPress categories can help here.
If your site shows a database error at any point during the move, do not panic. Our post on how to fix the error establishing a database connection walks you through the fix.
Protect Your Rankings While You Move
If your move also changes your domain or URLs, users are only half the story. Search engines care about your links too.
Old URLs must point to the new ones, and your content structure should stay the same. This is the heart of a good SEO migration. Plan it early so you keep the traffic you worked hard to earn.
Conclusion
Moving users does not have to feel like a gamble. WordPress import export gets easy when you pick the right method for the job. Need to move only users? Use a CSV plugin. Have a small list of authors? The built-in tool is enough. Moving your whole site? Go for a full migration, so your users, content, and settings stay together in one piece.
Whatever you choose, follow three simple rules. Back up first, test with a small batch, and check your results afterward. Do that, and your users will barely notice the move. A safe move keeps your members happy and your site running smoothly. Take your time, follow each step, and enjoy the calm. Stuck or unsure which method fits your site? Feel free to contact our team, and we will gladly help you move with confidence.
Ready to Move Your WordPress Site the Easy Way?
Skip the messy exports and file fixes. Download WP Demi for free to back up, migrate, and restore your site in a few clicks. No account needed.
FAQ’s
1. Can I export WordPress users without a plugin?
Not fully. The built in export tool only carries over post authors, not your entire user list. To export all users, including subscribers and customers, you need a plugin or a full database migration.
2. Will user passwords move to the new site?
It depends on the method. A full database migration keeps passwords as they are. With a CSV import, results vary by plugin, so it is safer to ask users to reset their passwords after the move.
3. Can I import WooCommerce customers the same way?
Yes. Customers are a type of WordPress user, so the same CSV method works. Check that your plugin supports billing and shipping fields if you want those details moved too.
4. What happens if a user already exists on the new site?
This depends on your plugin settings. Some tools skip existing emails, and others update the record. Run a small test import first so you know what to expect.
5. Is a full site migration better than a user only import?
If you are moving the whole website, yes. It keeps users, content, and settings together. If you only need a contact list or a few accounts, a CSV import is faster.