Exporting WooCommerce Data

As a WordPress admin, you have the ability to generate custom data exports using the WooCommerce Import Export Suite. Although this tool also allows imports of data, the focus of this article is on exporting data. Exports provided by the suite are in CSV or XML format.

Import Export Suite

The Import Export Suite can be accessed through the WordPress sidebar when logged into your website with administrator privileges. If you don’t see the Import Export Suite option available, contact Wicket support to inquire about having it added to your site. 

Export Types

Within the Suite, clicking on the Export tab will allow you to select the type of data you want to export. The “post type” you select will determine which data you retrieve from the system. Select the post type that suits the kind of export you need. This example uses the Order type.

Export Methods

Once you select a post type, you have an opportunity to choose an export method.

• Quick export: No column configuration required. Exports a standard set of columns.
• Pre-saved template: Select an export configuration that you used previously and saved. Saves time if you regularly export the same data.
• Advanced export: Build a custom export by selecting columns of interest as well as column order. Also allows specifying date ranges, statuses, customers, and other inclusion or exclusion criteria. Great for building highly specific exports. Can be saved for future use as a pre-saved template.

Depending on the export method selected, you will either be prompted to finalize and export your data, or proceed through setting additional inclusion and exclusion criteria in the case of selecting an advanced export.

Finalizing Exports

After setting your columns and criteria accordingly, proceed to the final step: Advanced options/Batch Export/Scheduling.

All export methods are finalized on this step. Here you can supply configurations relevant to the file you are about to generate.

• Exclude already exported: Allows you to skip exporting rows of data that you have already exported. Useful if you only want to export new data.
• Export mode: Changes the behavior of how data from a single order is displayed.
  • In the default or migration mode, each row includes the full details for a single product in a dedicated column.
  • Selecting separate columns will split details for each product in the order to separate columns.
  • Selecting separate row will split details for each product onto a new row.
• Export file name: The name assigned to the file you are generating.
• Export file format: Select CSV or XML depending on your needs. CSV is the file format most users will need.
• Delimiter: The character used to separate data fields in the file. For most users the default of comma will be sufficient.
• Enable FTP export: Allows automated exporting of the file to an FTP server. Unlikely to be configured in most cases.
• Advanced: Export in batches of: The recommended value here is 100. This setting preserves the performance of your WordPress website while exporting large volumes of data.

Note that if you previously select the advanced export option, the final configuration step also includes the option to ‘Save template’. Select this option if you wish to save your just-configured export for future use. You will be prompted to supply an export name, and this export will now be visible as a ‘pre-saved template’.

Once you have finalized your export settings on this step, click Export to generate the file. File generation can take time depending on how much data is included in your export. A progress indicator will update as data is prepared.

Once your file is generated, you will be prompted to download the file to your computer. Your export is complete!

Wrapping Up

The import export suite is a powerful tool that makes your data more accessible. There is no restriction on the number of exports you can generate. If your first exports don’t have the data or structure you need, there is no harm in using trial and error to get your desired result.