{"id":5818555,"date":"2023-09-07T12:56:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T12:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/?post_type=documentation&p=5818555"},"modified":"2025-12-08T18:49:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T18:49:36","slug":"download-a-file-or-use-existing-file","status":"publish","type":"documentation","link":"https:\/\/www.wpallimport.com\/documentation\/download-a-file-or-use-existing-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Import From External Source or Use Existing File"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Step 1 of the import process, you'll be asked to specify how you want to import your data. The following options are available: Upload a file<\/strong>, Download a file<\/strong>, and Use existing file<\/strong>. This documentation explains how to use the Download a file<\/strong> and Use existing file<\/strong> options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download a file<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can download a file from an external source using this option. When selected, you'll be prompted to download the file from a URL or from a FTP\/SFTP source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From URL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This will let you input a URL to download the file from. This URL should point directly to the file that you want to import from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You'll know it's working when you're prompted to download\/save the file as soon as the URL is opened in a browser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your file is protected by HTTP protection, you can follow this guide: Password Protected Files<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From FTP\/SFTP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This will let you download the file from an FTP or SFTP source. Once you input all of the credentials required to access the FTP\/SFTP server, click on Select File<\/strong> to define the file path to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

After the FTP file path<\/strong> has been defined, you can change it to apply any of the available formats, such as {newest.ext}<\/a>, {any.ext}<\/a>, {oldest.ext}<\/a> and {custom.ext}<\/a>, if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use existing file<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can use any existing files that have been uploaded to the \/wp-content\/uploads\/wpallimport\/files\/ folder. All files from that folder will appear in this list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

How to Enable Scheduling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To enable Scheduling Options<\/strong> for an import process, you need to use either Download a file<\/strong> or Use existing file<\/strong> as explained in this guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When using Upload a file<\/strong>, you won't be able to set up any schedules for that import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You can modify the import file source via the import settings in All Import<\/strong> \u203a Manage Imports<\/strong> \u203a Settings<\/strong>. Just select a new import source and set it up as explained in this documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Import Any CSV, XML, or Excel to WordPress<\/h3>\n