Documentation
Easy Demo Import is a powerful WordPress plugin that enables you to Export your Divi website as a Layout Kit Plugin or Child Theme!
Package Your Demo Content
Easy Demo Import creates a single zip file containing your website’s content and essential settings so that it can be installed just by uploading one file and clicking the Import button!
There are two parts to Easy Demo Import, the Exporter (aka Master) and the Importer (aka Apprentice). With Easy Demo Import Master you can select a variety of options to export the demo content and settings of your Divi website. It packages this up into one .zip file for distribution to your users.
Please note: Easy Demo Import was primarily designed to be used for demo content and is not a intended to be a backup solution or a migration tool for large websites. There are limitations to the type and amount of content that is exported and imported.
GETTING STARTED
Installation
Easy Demo Import Master is installed as a standard WordPress plugin on the website containing your demo content.
From WP Admin, click Plugins and then Add New. Upload the easydemoimport.zip file and activate the plugin.
System Requirements
- PHP 5.6+
- WordPress 4.8+
- Divi Theme 3.0.65+
EXPORT DEMO CONTENT
An overview of the options available on the main export page of Easy Demo Import.
Main Options
Include Posts And Pages
This option will package up your posts, pages, and other custom post types. You can select which post types are included on the Additional Options page.
Include Media Library
Select this option to include your entire media library in the export. Make sure you optimize and refine your Media Library before exporting for the best experience for your users.
Include Divi Theme Options & Divi Customizer Settings
This option allows you to export all of the settings from Divi’s Theme Options and all of Divi’s standard Customizer settings.
Include Customizer Additional CSS
Make sure you select this option if you put any CSS in the Custom CSS box in Divi Theme Options or in the Customizer Additional CSS.
Include Menu Structure
Select this to export the current menu structure, including the Primary Menu, Secondary Menu and Footer Menu. This will export all menus setup on your demo website.
Include Widget Settings
Divi’s Widget Areas and your own Custom Widget Areas can be exported. Users should take note that importing the Widget Settings will overwrite all widget settings on their website.
Automatically Set Homepage
Selecting this option will give your users the opportunity to have their homepage automatically set to the homepage you have currently set. To use this option you must have a Static Front Page selected in the WordPress Reading Settings.
Import Installer Style
Easy Demo Import Pro can package your demo content as a Plugin or Child Theme. The free version can only use the Plugin option.
Plugin – This option is best suited for content that does not require additional php customizations or a CSS stylesheet. Use this when your demo content is configured and styled using the WordPress customizer and options in Divi’s modules. With this option, the zip file that Easy Demo Import creates must be installed as a WordPress Plugin.
Child Theme – This option is for demo websites that utilize more advanced customizations. To use the Child Theme option, you must have a Child Theme already installed and set as the Active Theme. Easy Demo Import does not currently generate a Child Theme for you. All files in the current child theme folder will be included in the packaged zip file. With this option, the zip file that Easy Demo Import creates must be installed as a WordPress Theme.
If you would like to consider the differences between a Layout Kit and a Child Theme, we recommend reading this article by Geno Quiroz, The Difference Between Divi Layout Kits & Premium Divi Child Themes
Import Installer Name
Choose your Installer Name carefully. This is the name that users will see in the WordPress Admin Menu. This will also be used to name the plugin/theme folder and zip file.
Import Installer Message
Whatever message you write here will be placed at the top of the Import Page. You can use this field to introduce yourself, convey your thanks, provide instructions, etc. We recommend reminding the user to backup their website before running the import process.
Recommend Plugins
All active plugins on the site will be listed on this page, divided into two categories: Plugins Found In The Repository & Plugins Not Found In The Repository. Each type is handled differently for Export and Import. Select the plugins that should be included in the export package.
Repository Plugins: Selected plugins will be downloaded from the WordPress Plugin Repository at the time of import. This ensures that the most recent version is always installed.
Other Plugins: Selected plugins will be included in the exported zip file and copied into the Import site.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE APPROVAL FROM THE PLUGIN AUTHOR BEFORE DISTRIBUTING A PLUGIN
Additional Options
The items on this page allow you to adjust more details for the content that is exported. These settings should be modified and saved prior to running the export.
Select Post Types To Export
This allows you to select from the standard WordPress & Divi Post Types, as well as any Custom Post Types available on your demo site.
If you are selecting Custom Post Types for export, keep in mind that those post types must be registered on the user website before those posts can be imported. It is best if the post type is setup in the functions.php file to ensure that it is registered at the time of import.
Include Category Data
The Category taxonomy data can be included in the export to preserve the category structure of your posts. This is especially useful for layouts and child themes designed for blogs.
Include Featured Image Data
Select this to include the featured image data in the export. When the user runs the import the posts will be updated to use the Featured Image that was imported into the Media Library.
Remote Media Import
Select this if you want the import process to download the media files from your Export Site instead of the Export Zip Package. This option produces a much smaller zip file, but it makes the import process require an internet connection, and the images must be online and accessible at their original URL. In other words, images will not be imported if your export website is not online or moved.
Prevent Generating Thumbnails During Import
This option can be helpful when your media library is extra large. User will need to regenerate thumbnails after import.
Exclude Posts by ID
This option allows you to exclude any post types (pages, posts, products, custom post types, etc.) by ID. For example, you can exclude demo pages that you do not want to be part of your export package.
Import Batch Sizes
The default batch sizes should work well in most cases. When importing into environments where server resources are low, lowering the batch import sizes can help avoid server timeouts.
Import Accent Color
This color is currently used for the progress bar during the import process. You can choose a color that corresponds with your product branding.
Custom Documentation
Custom Support Message
Here you can customize what your users see on the Support page. The default message points users to the Knowledgebase on FerventSolutions.com. You should add in your own contact information or links to help users reach you for support. I am happy to support Easy Demo Import, but I do ask you to be the first level of support for your own users and products.
Your Custom Documentation Fields
These fields are used to generate the Documentation for the Import Plugin or Child Theme that you export.
By default these fields contain some general instruction for users, but you can modify these fields to customize the documentation as is appropriate for your demo content.
Distributing Your Products
You should thoroughly test the import process for yourself. Because every website is unique, there are some situations and circumstances that are unforeseen. I recommend that you test the import process on several different servers to compare the results.
Have an alternate delivery method ready for your users. I cannot guarantee that Easy Demo Import will always work in every environment. Divi’s standard Export Options serve as a solid alternate option.
Remind your users to backup before importing.
I am happy to support Easy Demo Import, but I do ask you to be the first level of support for your own users and products.
SUPPORT INFORMATION
Support For You
Ask For Help
Facebook Group:
Join our Community Group to connect with other users: Easy Demo Import Users Room
Built In Support Page
Log File: Both versions, Master and Apprentice, keep a log of important events and data to help troubleshoot.
System Information: Server environments can be configured in a multitude of ways. The Support Page has some details about the website hosting configuration.
Reset Easy Demo Import Settings: This button resets all of the settings back to the original defaults. This can be helpful in some cases, particularly when testing export/import multiple times on one WordPress installation.
Support For Your Users & Customers
You should thoroughly test the import process for yourself. Because every website is unique, there are some situations and circumstances that are unforeseen. I recommend that you test the import process on several different servers to compare the results.
Have an alternate delivery method ready for your users. I cannot guarantee that Easy Demo Import will always work in every environment. Divi’s standard Export Options serve as a solid alternate option.
Remind your users to backup before importing.
I am happy to support Easy Demo Import, but I do ask you to be the first level of support for your own users and products.
HOOKS & FILTERS
Easy Demo Import now offers some Hooks & Filters to allow developers to add extra functionality during the import process.
Not sure what Hooks & Filters are?
Learn more from the WordPress developer documentation.
Import Process Overview
- Hook: jedi_before_import
- Plugin Installation
- Plugin Activation
- Hook: jedi_before_media_import
- Media Library Import
- Hook: jedi_after_media_import
- Hook: jedi_before_post_import
- Categories Import
- Posts Import
- Filter: jedi_modify_post_content
- Hook: jedi_after_post_import
- Homepage Set
- Divi Options Import
- CSS Import
- Menu Import
- Widgets Import
- Hook: jedi_after_import
Hook: jedi_before_import
No variables or return value.
Fires before beginning the import process.
Hook: jedi_before_media_import
No variables or return value.
Fires before importing the media library.
Hook: jedi_after_media_import
Input Parameter: Array of imported Media IDs
Fires after importing the media library.
Array structure: $imported_media[$original_ID] = $new_ID
The array index is the original Media ID, the value is new Media ID.
Hook: jedi_before_post_import
No variables or return value.
Fires before importing the pages, posts, and custom post types.
Filter: jedi_modify_post_content
Input Parameter: String of $post_content
Fires during the import of each post. Passes the original $post_content, your function must return the updated $post_content to import.
Hook: jedi_after_post_import
Input Parameter: Array of imported Post IDs
Fires after importing the posts.
Array structure: $imported_posts[$original_ID] = $new_ID
The array index is the original Post ID, the value is new Post ID.
Hook: jedi_after_import
No variables or return value.
Fires at the very end of the import process.