How to Properly Export and Import Divi Theme Settings

The Divi Theme by Elegant Themes is widely known for its flexibility and visual interface, giving users the ability to create stunning websites with ease. However, when developing multiple websites or backing up your work, it becomes necessary to export and import Divi settings correctly. Whether you’re switching domains, cloning a website for a client, or simply safeguarding your design efforts, knowing how to transfer your Divi settings efficiently can save you hours of work and headache.

TLDR: Exporting and Importing Divi Settings

If you’re short on time, here’s what you need to know: Divi allows you to easily export and import theme options, Divi Library items, and layout data through its Portability system. Use the built-in import/export tools in the Divi Theme Options or Divi Library panels. Make sure file formats are correct and consistent (.json), and always preview before importing into a live site. This helps you avoid overwriting critical data.

Why Export and Import Divi Theme Settings?

There are many situations where transferring or backing up Divi settings is essential. Here are a few common scenarios:

• Cloning a website: For agency work or client development, you might want to replicate a website’s theme settings and layouts for a new domain.
• Backup purposes: Regularly exporting settings can protect you from future data loss.
• Reusable layouts: You’re creating templates that can be reused across multiple projects or shared with others.
• Migration: When moving from a staging site to a live environment, preserving customization is crucial.

Understanding Divi’s Portability System

Divi features a built-in Portability tool that allows exporting and importing of various parts of the theme. This system uses JSON files, which encapsulate all necessary data for accurate transport between sites. You’ll primarily be working with the following components:

• Divi Theme Options
• Divi Library
• Page Layouts

The good news? The process is largely similar for each of these areas. Once you’ve understood one, you can apply the same principles to others.

How to Export Divi Theme Options

Let’s start with exporting your theme settings.

1. Navigate to Divi > Theme Options in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click the portability icon (arrows going in opposite directions) located in the upper right corner.
3. In the modal window, select Export.
4. Give your export a name and click Export Divi Theme Options.
5. This will download a .json file to your computer which contains all the theme settings.

Now, you have a backup of your current theme configuration that can be applied to any other Divi installation.

How to Import Divi Theme Options

To transfer these settings to another website—or restore a backup—follow these steps:

1. Login to the destination site and go to Divi > Theme Options.
2. Click the same portability icon.
3. Choose the Import tab in the modal.
4. Select the previously exported .json file from your computer.
5. Click Import Divi Theme Options.

Tip: Always remember to backup the existing settings before importing new ones—it’s easy to overwrite important configurations.

Exporting and Importing Divi Library Items

The Divi Library holds custom sections, modules, and layouts you’ve created. These can also be exported and reused.

To Export Library Items:

1. Go to Divi > Divi Library.
2. Select the items you want to export or choose them individually.
3. Click the portability button at the top.
4. Choose Export, name your export, and click Export Divi Builder Layouts.

To Import Library Items:

1. Visit Divi > Divi Library on your destination site.
2. Open the portability window and select the Import tab.
3. Upload the .json file previously exported.
4. Click Import Divi Builder Layouts to apply changes.

Within moments, your layout designs should now appear in the new site’s Divi Library, ready to be inserted anywhere.

Exporting and Importing Page Layouts

If you’ve designed a full page and want to replicate it elsewhere, you can directly export from the Divi Builder.

Steps to Export a Page Layout:

1. Edit the page using the Divi Builder.
2. Click the purple circle with three dots at the bottom of the page to open Divi’s menu.
3. Click the portability button.
4. Under the Export tab, name your layout and hit Export Layout.

Steps to Import a Page Layout:

1. Open the Divi Builder on the destination page.
2. Click the same portability icon and choose Import.
3. Select the saved .json file and import.

After import, the page will instantly be updated with the layout from your saved file. This is perfect for creating templates across similar websites.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Although exporting and importing Divi settings is fairly straightforward, there are some common errors users encounter. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Incorrect file types: Divi only accepts .json format. Trying to upload other types will result in errors.
• Overwriting: Importing without backing up can overwrite existing settings or library items. Always export first.
• Outdated or incompatible versions: Make sure both source and destination installations are using the same or compatible versions of Divi.
• Missing media files: When transferring layouts, you might need to manually upload associated images or videos if they’re not included in the export.

Tips for Power Users

If you’re frequently moving settings between sites, consider the following to make your workflow even smoother:

• Use a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to store exported files for quick access anywhere.
• Label your JSON files clearly, including date and content type, e.g., divi_header_settings_july2024.json.
• Create starter templates with your preferred global options, library items, and default layouts for faster onboarding on new projects.

Conclusion

Mastering the export and import functionalities in Divi can dramatically improve your productivity and ensure safe handling of your design data. Whether you’re cloning a site, moving to a new domain, or simply backing up your hard work, using Divi’s Portability tools efficiently is an essential skill for any WordPress designer. Plus, with just a few clicks and a trusted backup, you can rest assured that your creative work remains protected and portable.

Now that you know how easy it is to manage your Divi settings and layouts, why not make exporting a regular part of your project workflow?