Table of contents

What is WordPress XML and WXR? Key components What does a WordPress XML file Use cases How to export Exploring the structure Common issues Advanced tips FAQs Getting started

Get the industry’s fastest WordPress hosting ◦ 99.99% uptime
◦ Comprehensive security
◦ 24/7 support

WordPress Guide → Development → XML structure

What is the WordPress XML structure (and why should you care)?

If you’ve ever tried to move your WordPress site to a new host or create a backup of your posts and pages, you’ve probably come across a mysterious .xml file. It looks like code, it opens in your browser like a web page, and it’s full of angle brackets. But don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it seems.

This file uses a special format called the WordPress XML structure, or more specifically, WXR (WordPress eXtended RSS). It’s one of the most important tools built into WordPress for managing content behind the scenes.

Let’s break down what this structure is, how it works, and why it matters for your WordPress site.

Get fast, reliable hosting for WordPress

Power your site with the industry’s fastest, most optimized WordPress hosting

WordPress.org hosting

What is WordPress XML and WXR?

XML stands for Extensible Markup Language. It’s a flexible format for structuring data in a way that both humans and computers can understand. WordPress uses XML to package your site’s content for exporting, importing, and backing up.

WXR, or WordPress eXtended RSS, is WordPress’s own flavor of XML. It’s based on the RSS 2.0 feed format but includes extra tags and structures specific to WordPress content—like posts, custom fields, categories, and users.

If you’ve ever used Tools → Export in your dashboard, you’ve generated a WXR file. It allows you to move your content from one WordPress site to another, or just save it for safekeeping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH0Sa8UVfqU

Key components of the WordPress XML structure

A WordPress XML file follows a specific structure made up of different parts. Each part tells WordPress how to interpret the information during an import.

XML declaration

At the very top of the file, you’ll usually see:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

This line tells your computer (and WordPress) that this is an XML file using version 1.0 and UTF-8 encoding, which supports all standard characters.

Root element

Every XML file needs one root element that wraps around everything else. In a WordPress export file, the root is usually an <rss> tag with version and namespace information:

<rss version="2.0"      xmlns_excerpt="http://wordpress.org/export/1.2/excerpt/"      xmlns_content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"      xmlns_wp="http://wordpress.org/export/1.2/">

This sets the stage for all other content in the file.

Hierarchical structure

XML is like a tree. The root is the trunk, and the branches are elements that contain other elements. For example, a <channel> contains multiple <item> elements, and each <item> contains things like <title>, <link>, and <wp:post_id>.

This nested format keeps data grouped together logically.

Elements

Elements are the basic building blocks of XML. They describe pieces of data like titles, links, authors, and post content.

Example:

<title>My First Blog Post</title>

In a WordPress XML file, elements like <item>, <link>, <content:encoded>, and <wp:post_type> are common.

Attributes

Attributes give extra information about elements. They appear inside the opening tag.

Example:

<wp:comment status="approved" user_id="2">

Here, status and user_id are attributes that describe the comment’s approval and who posted it.

Values

Values are the actual content between the tags—like the title of a post or the body of a comment.

Example:

<content:encoded>Welcome to my blog!</content:encoded>

Example structure

Here’s a simplified post entry:

<item>   <title>Hello World</title>   <link>http://example.com/hello-world/</link>   <wp:post_id>1</wp:post_id>   <wp:post_type>post</wp:post_type>   <content:encoded><![CDATA[Welcome to WordPress!]]></content:encoded> </item>

Each tag tells WordPress something about the post when it’s imported.

What does a WordPress XML file include?

A WordPress XML file doesn’t just store posts. It contains a wide range of data about your site, including:

Posts and pages, including custom post types like portfolios or products
Categories and tags, as well as any custom taxonomies
Comments and replies
Users and authors, including their roles
Menus and menu items
Media attachments, like images or PDFs (though the file itself doesn’t contain media—just the references)
Post meta, like custom fields added by plugins
Plugin or theme-related content, if it’s stored as a custom post type

That makes the XML file a comprehensive snapshot of your WordPress site’s content.

Real-world use cases for WordPress XML files

Understanding how XML files work can save you hours of frustration. Here’s how they’re commonly used:

Site migration: Moving content from one WordPress site to another—perfect for switching hosts or rebuilding a site.
Backups: Creating a content backup you can restore if something breaks.
Staging and testing: Exporting your content and importing it into a staging site for development or redesign.
Content splitting: Exporting only specific categories, post types, or authors.
Data recovery: Fixing broken sites or recovering deleted content by reimporting an older XML file.

How to export and import WordPress XML files

WordPress makes it easy to work with XML files using the built-in Tools menu.

Exporting your content

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Export.
Choose whether to export All content, Posts, Pages, or a custom post type.
Click Download Export File. You’ll receive a .xml file to save on your computer.

This is your WXR file.

Importing content into another site

On your new WordPress site, go to Tools → Import.
Select the WordPress importer (you may need to install the plugin).
Upload the .xml file you previously downloaded.
Choose whether to import authors or assign content to a current user.
Optional: check the box to download and import file attachments.

Click Import, and WordPress will recreate your posts, pages, taxonomies, and more.

Exploring the structure of a sample WordPress XML file

Let’s look at a real snippet:

<item>   <title>Hello World</title>   <link>http://example.com/hello-world/</link>   <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>   <dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>   <wp:post_id>1</wp:post_id>   <wp:post_type>post</wp:post_type> </item>

What each line means:

<title>: The title of the post.
<link>: The permalink for the post.
<pubDate>: When the post was published.
<dc:creator>: Who wrote the post.
<wp:post_id>: The original database ID.
<wp:post_type>: The type of content (post, page, product, etc).

Each <item> element represents a single piece of content.

Common issues with XML files (and how to fix them)

While XML exports are straightforward, a few common issues can trip up beginners:

File too large to upload: Hosting limits might prevent importing large XML files. Increase the upload_max_filesize and post_max_size in your PHP settings or ask your host for help.
Media doesn’t import: The XML file references images and files, but doesn’t include them. Be sure to check “Download and import file attachments” during import.
Special characters don’t display: Make sure the file uses UTF-8 encoding, or fix encoding issues with a text editor.
Incomplete imports: Plugin-specific data may not be fully imported unless that plugin is active on the new site.
Timeouts or errors: Large imports may need to be split using tools like WXR Splitter.

Advanced tips for developers and power users

For developers or site admins, you can take things further:

Parse XML files in PHP using SimpleXML or in Python with ElementTree.
Clean or edit content before import by opening the file in a code editor.
Use WP-CLI for faster exports and imports:
wp export –dir=.
wp import file.xml –authors=create
Extend the WXR format using custom post types and fields—just make sure your plugins can handle the data properly on import.

New subscriber notification FAQs

WordPress uses the WXR (WordPress eXtended RSS) format, an XML schema that stores posts, pages, comments, users, and more in a structured, machine-readable way.

XML is built around tags that open and close like <title>My Post</title>. These elements can be nested within others to create a tree structure. Every file starts with a declaration and must have a single root element.

XML files use a hierarchical (tree-like) structure made of nested elements. Each element can contain text, attributes, or more nested elements. This format allows complex content to be clearly organized.

Go to Tools → Export in your dashboard, choose the content you want, and download the file. WordPress will generate an XML file for you automatically, no coding required.

Next steps for understanding the WordPress XML structure

Understanding the WordPress XML structure gives you more control over your site’s content. Whether you’re backing up, migrating, or staging content, knowing how this format works can help you avoid surprises and handle data with confidence.

If you haven’t already, try exporting your site content to see what’s inside. Just exploring a real XML file can teach you a lot.

Ready to upgrade your WordPress experience? Professional hosting improves speeds, security, and reliability for a website and a brand that people find engaging and trustworthy. Liquid Web’s WordPress hosting options configure business-class servers and support plans specifically for WordPress websites.

Don’t want to deal with server management and maintenance? Our fully managed hosting for WordPress is the best in the industry. Our team are not only server IT experts, but WordPress hosting experts as well. Your server couldn’t be in better hands.

Click through below to explore all of our hosting for WordPress options, or chat with a WordPress expert right now to get answers and advice.