---
title: Copy content between websites and environments
slug: configured-commerce/docs/classic-copy-content-between-websites-and-environments
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-13T10:46:27.000Z
---

:::hint{type="warning"}
**Important**

Classic CMS reached end-of-life in January 2025 and is no longer receiving feature updates or bug fixes. You should \[migrate to Spire CMS]\(../../End user docs/spire-cms/get-started-with-spire-cms/migrate-from-classic-cms-to-spire-cms.mdx).
:::

Use the Import/Export Content option in Classic CMS to transfer content between websites and environments, such as to promote content created in a sandbox environment to your production environment.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

If you are working with subsites, ensure the subsite exists in both environments before migrating any content.
:::

You need a role of `ISC_ContentAdmin`, `ISC_Admin`, `ISC_Implementer`, or `ISC_System` to access this functionality.

## Export content

Export the content from one website in its entirety and import it into another website.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

The export file includes page variant rules, but the export does not include experiments, and this functionality does not support linked content.
:::

1. Access the CMS by clicking the **Site Preview** button in the Primary Navigation header.
2. Select the website from which you want to export content. The website opens in a new browser tab.
3. Click the **Show CMS** icon in the upper left corner.
4. Click the **Toggle Content Tree** icon to open the Content Tree.
5. Hover over the **Debug** icon in the lower left corner and select **Import/Export Content**. The Import/Export Content window appears.
6. Select the **Export** option.
7. Select the **Only published** check box if you only want to export current or future published content.
8. Click **Continue**. A progress indicator appears while the system exports the content.

   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/4GypNJpU_hXHNfA3cl1bh-20260720-144733.png)
9. Verify the zip file (that includes the exported content in JSON format) with the website name followed by **\_Content\_yyyymmdd** appears in your local Downloads directory once the export completes.

## Import content

This step lets you select an exported zip file for import into a website.

1. Access the CMS by clicking the **Site Preview** button in the Primary Navigation header.
2. Select the website from which you want to export content. The website opens in a new browser tab.
3. Click the **Show CMS** icon in the upper left corner.
4. Click the **Toggle Content Tree** icon to open the Content Tree.
5. Hover over the **Debug** icon in the lower left corner and select **Import/Export Content**. The Import/Export Content window appears.
6. Select the **Import** option.
7. Click the **Choose File** button to search for and select the exported zip file.

   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/xNP1myDWi18cfI6AeoAgV-20260720-144733.png)
8. Click **Continue**. A warning message appears.

   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/tcggJDN0vKephKLjOPM1g-20260720-144733.png)
9. Click **Continue** again. A progress indicator appears while the system imports the content.
10. Confirm you receive a message when the process completes and the system refreshes the CMS tree.

## Restore copied content

You can restore copied content to its original state from an Import/Export Content action in Classic CMS if you copied the content in error or the process failed. The restored content comes from a backup created during a content import.

1. Access the CMS by clicking the **Site Preview** button in the Primary Navigation header.
2. Select the website from which you want to export content. The website opens in a new browser tab.
3. Click the **Show CMS** icon in the upper left corner.
4. Click the **Toggle Content Tree** icon to open the Content Tree.
5. Hover over the **Debug** icon in the lower left corner and select **Restore Content**. The Restore Content window appears.
6. Select **All Websites** or a specific website to restore from the drop-down list.
7. Click **Continue**. A warning message appears.

   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/iTkPMZ0xFkXdNPcVo2JJI-20260720-144733.png)
8. Click **Continue** again. A progress indicator appears while the system restores the content.
9. Confirm you receive a message when the process completes and the system refreshes the CMS tree.