Import WordPress attachments from any xml or csv file

Import or update existing attachments in the WordPress media library, including all core attachment fields, author, custom taxonomy terms and custom fields.

Creating a WordPress attachment importer

When creating an importer using ImportWP, to import attachments into the WordPress media library you need to select the Attachment option from the What are you wanting to import dropdown.

Import WP create importer screen with the Attachments template selected

Attachment importer template

After creating the importer you you need to configure which sections of your import file need to be mapped to the attachment fields, this can be configured on the Template fields step, under the section titled Attachment.

Import WP Attachment Fields section on the media importer template

By default no fields are visible, you can enable or disable all attachment fields via the Enable Fields button, when clicked a list of available fields will appear that once selected will toggled their visability.

Import WP attachment importer with hidden fields revealed via Enable Fields

Attachment fields

Options	Description
ID	The ID field is only used as a reference to existing fields
Title	Set the title of the attachment
Description	Set the main attachment description.
Caption	Set the attachment caption
Alt Text	Set the attachment alt text
Slug	Manually set the slug, otherwise it is generated based on the attachment title.
File	Upload or attach a new media file
Status	Set the post status from the dropdown of available statuses.
Parent	Select the attachment parent from the dropdown field, or enable the text field to use the data selector tool to choose element from import file.
Order	Set the menu order for this attachment.
Author	Set the attachment author from a dropdown of WordPress Users.
Password	Set the attachment password
Date	Set the published date
Allow Comments	Set if the attachment has comments enabled.
Allow Pingbacks	Set if the attachment allows pingbacks.

Attachment Parent

Select the attachment parent from the dropdown field, or enable the text field to use the data selector tool to choose element from import file, depending on your chosen file element you can change the reference type via the sub field Parent Field Type of either (ID, Slug, Name or Reference Column).

Import WP attachment template Parent field for linking media to a post

Selecting the reference column allows you to identify the parent record based on the Parent field value matching the Value set in the reference column.

Import WP attachment Parent field set to match an existing post by ID or slug

Attachment Author

Set the attachment author from a dropdown of WordPress Users.

Import WP attachment template Author field mapped from the import file

Attachment Taxonomies

Attachment taxonomies allow you to import custom taxonomies terms that are linked to your attachments, if your plugin or theme registeres any taxonomies the Taxonomies tab will appear allowing you to setup as many taxonomies as nessessary for your import.

Read a Guide on how to import WordPress Taxonomies

Custom Fields

Custom fields allow you to import extra attachment data which your theme or plugins may use, this could be sub headings, or search engine keywords/descriptions for SEO plugins.

Custom fields keys are manually entered, or can be populated via a predefined list of popular values.

Import WP Custom Fields section on the attachment importer template

Read a Guide on how to import WordPress custom fields.

Updated 2024-03-13