Import BLM files to WordPress

Import WP BLM file reader add-on makes it possible to import BLM files to WordPress, allowing you to directly import Rightmove data feed files and attachments or similar that use the .BLM file format to WordPress. These can be configured to periodically keep your website in sync.

BLM file format is commonly used by many property portals, Rightmove being the most popular portal in the UK and Europe. The BLM file is normally accompanied by a zip file containing all the file media assets.

Import BLM files to WordPress

The Import WP BLM file reader addon allows you to upload BLM files, download from a remote URL, or import from the local filesystem.

Once a BLM file has been added to an importer, open File Settings. The record preview shows the current listing with the file headings. Use the next / previous controls to step through records, and scroll inside the preview panel when a listing has many fields. Hovering over the heading or value columns will display a tooltip showing the selection value, this is the heading wrapping in curly braces, e.g. “{AGENT_REF}”.

Import WP create importer screen with the BLM file reader selected

Mapping which data should be imported to WordPress posts, taxonomies or users is similar to importing CSV files. To the right of each template field click on the “Select Data” button to open up the BLM data selector screen. This shows a preview of a record in the BLM file labelled with the heading; click on either the heading or value to be selected.

The selected value will be added to the input at the bottom of the selector screen, showing a preview of your selection. Click on “Select and Close” to finish mapping the field.

Import WP BLM file settings with delimiter and record options for a Rightmove feed

Once mapped, the selection should appear in the field and a preview of the selection will appear.

Import WP Template Fields step showing BLM property fields ready to map

Import BLM attachments to WordPress

BLM attachments should be supplied in a zip file in the same directory and with the same name as the .BLM file. Because of this, attachments can currently only be imported when the BLM file comes from either the Local filesystem or Remote URL datasource.

Use the iwp_blmr_attachment custom method with the iwp: prefix (required from Import WP 2.15; see custom methods). Pass a comma-separated list of attachment file names from the feed. The method downloads or extracts those files from the companion zip and returns local temporary paths. Set the attachment field Download option to Local Filesystem so each temporary file is imported into the WordPress Media Library.

Example mapping for a single image column:

[iwp:iwp_blmr_attachment("{MEDIA_IMAGE_00}")]

Example mapping for multiple images in one field (comma-separated paths):

[iwp:iwp_blmr_attachment("{MEDIA_IMAGE_00},{MEDIA_IMAGE_01},{MEDIA_IMAGE_02}")]

Import WP BLM importer Attachments section mapping image files from the feed

Price qualifier labels (optional)

Rightmove-style feeds often store PRICE_QUALIFIER as a numeric code. The addon includes iwp_blmr_price_qualifier to convert common codes into labels (for example Guide Price, Offers in Excess of). Use it with the same iwp: prefix:

[iwp:iwp_blmr_price_qualifier("{PRICE_QUALIFIER}")]

Updated 2026-10-08