{"id":13150862,"date":"2026-01-02T17:49:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T17:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/?post_type=documentation&p=13150862"},"modified":"2026-01-02T18:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T18:11:58","slug":"how-to-preview-an-import","status":"publish","type":"documentation","link":"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/how-to-preview-an-import\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Preview An Import Before Running It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To preview an import process before running it, create and map a new import via All Import<\/strong> \u203a New Import<\/strong>. After you've mapped all import fields, settings and data, you can test how everything will look by clicking on the Preview<\/strong> button at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How It Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Create your import process as usual. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Map your import fields and all of your sections as required. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Once you're done mapping your import fields and data, you can preview how the records will be imported by using the Preview<\/strong> button at the bottom.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    With this option, you have access to a \"mimicked\" preview of the records before they are actually imported. It will show how those records would look on the WordPress admin dashboard, and also how those same records would look on the front-end of your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This essentially allows you to test your import settings before actually creating anything on your site. If the previewed records don't look OK, you should continue editing the import template until they do. Once the preview records meet your desired standard, you can proceed to run the import process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Preview An Import<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To preview the records you're importing, map all import fields and then click on Preview<\/strong> at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Preview<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    WP All Import will load your import template, settings and import file internally and then recreate how these records would show up in your site after the import is completed. You'll then see an actual preview of the \"mimicked\" backend under WP Admin View<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"WP<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    You can also see how it looks in the frontend by clicking on Frontend View<\/strong> in the top bar. There's also options to modify how the records are shown in this preview by going to Preview Settings<\/strong>. You can switch between previewed records above the top bar (see the arrows at the top).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Screens Available <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are the screens available when you use the Preview<\/strong> feature inside WP All Import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    WP Admin View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is the default screen shown. WP Admin View<\/strong> shows the imported record in the same way it would appear when accessed via the WordPress admin dashboard, including a fully functional interface. In this case, a WordPress post is shown inside the classic editor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"WP<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Frontend View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is the second screen available. Frontend View<\/strong> shows the imported post record as it would appear in the frontend. It shows exactly in the same way it would display when accessed via the frontend of your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Frontend<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Preview Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is the third screen available. The Preview Settings<\/strong> let you change how the previewed records are displayed in this same preview. You can change the Unique Identifier<\/strong>, which is what defines how records are shown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Learn more about the Unique Identifier<\/strong> here Define Unique Identifier Correctly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When importing posts, you can change the Post Status for the previewed posts. There's also an option to change how many Records to Preload<\/strong> inside of this preview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To see the updated settings, make sure to click on Refresh Preview with Updated Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Preview<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Can I Preview Records from Any Import Process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, you can use this feature to preview records on any import process found in your site, regardless of the post type imported or whether it's a new or an existing import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can You Preview An Existing Import?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, you can also preview an import process that already exists on your site. You can access this via All Import<\/strong> \u203a Manage Imports <\/strong>\u203a Edit Template<\/strong> and then hitting the Preview<\/strong> button at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I Get a Preview Error. What Do I Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Close the preview and open it again. If that still doesn't help, reach out to us via support<\/a>, attach a screenshot of the error you're seeing, along with a copy of the import file in question, and we'll assist further.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    To preview an import process before running it, create and map a new import via All Import \u203a New Import. After you've mapped all import fields, settings and data, you can test how everything will look by clicking on the Preview button at the bottom of the page. How It Works With this option, you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63333,"featured_media":0,"parent":2991540,"menu_order":26,"template":"","tags":[],"content_author":[],"search_tags":[],"class_list":["post-13150862","documentation","type-documentation","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Preview An Import Before Running It - WP All Import<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to preview an import process before actually running it, essentially allowing you to test your settings and iterate faster with WP All Import.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/how-to-preview-an-import\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Preview An Import Before Running It - WP All Import\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to preview an import process before actually running it, essentially allowing you to test your settings and iterate faster with WP All Import.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/how-to-preview-an-import\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"WP All Import\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-02T18:11:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Preview-an-Import-Before-Running-The-Import-scaled.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1923\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/how-to-preview-an-import\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/how-to-preview-an-import\/\",\"name\":\"How to Preview An Import Before Running It - 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