[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #32606: Plugin data migration

[WordPress Trac]

#32606: Plugin data migration
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 Reporter:  freetheweb       |      Owner:
     Type:  feature request  |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal           |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  Plugins          |    Version:  4.2.2
 Severity:  normal           |   Keywords:
  Focuses:                   |
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 I'm not a dev, so this may not be possible like I envision, so forgive me
 if it is not.

 I have used a bunch of plugins that make it hard, or even nearly
 impossible, to migrate data between them. Sure, if you use a calendar or
 other plugin that is centered around some kind of standard file export
 format like ICS then you can probably do it, but many aren't like that.

 One example is Gravity Forms. There is only one plugin I could find that
 allows me to import data into GF and that costs $99. Insane. There are
 many other examples.

 WordPress and its plugin, being open source, should (in my mind) make it
 easy to switch from one plugin to another without losing data.

 Here is what I envision:

 1. A user has BuddyPress installed and has a few hundred members who have
 all filled out custom profile fields that they created with BuddyPress.

 2. A competitor to BuddyPress is released, which the user installs and
 activates.

 3. The user selects the option under the plugin to import data into it.

 4. WordPress asks the user which plugin they'd like to import the data
 from.

 5. User selects BuddyPress.

 6. WordPress scans the databases BuddyPress created and comes up with a
 list that the user can review to select which data goes where. This would
 be similar to when you are importing a CSV file into an email newsletter
 program, if you are familiar with that. The user would see a list of last
 names and select "Last Name" as the column header, a list of phone miners
 and select "Phone Number," etc.

 7. WordPress would then migrate all that data into the new plugin and the
 user would be able to rest easy knowing that they can easily switch back
 or switch to another plugin instantly without losing his users' data.

 I think this is a glaring hold in WordPress and is greatly needed for
 obvious reasons. Technology, especially open source software, changes so
 quickly that it is important for users to not have their data locked in to
 one plugin.

 I believe WordPress could change that in a big way, and this could spur
 competition and quality among plugins as a result, along with offering an
 incredibly simple and easy solution to users everywhere.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/32606>
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