This page tells you how to import the contents of a Confluence space into another Confluence site, via an XML backup file.

You can export the content of a space, including pages, comments and attachments. The process involves converting the data in the space into XML format. The end product is a zip file that contains XML file(s) and optionally, all the attachments in the space. To transfer this data to another Confluence site, restore this zip file as described below.

Confluence will only allow you to restore a space if there is not already a space by that name on the site. If you already have a space with the identical name, you will need to delete or rename the existing space before restoring the new one.

Related pages:

(warning) The information on this page does not apply to Confluence OnDemand.

Cannot restore to a different major Confluence release

Confluence only supports forward and backward compatibility for space import and export when executed within the same major version of Confluence. (This issue is logged as CONF-26111.)

Clarifying our terminology: By major version, we mean the version defined in the first two sections of the release number. For example, Confluence 2.2 and Confluence 2.3 are different major versions. Confluence 2.2.1 and Confluence 2.2.6 are the same major version.

Restoration data must share the same major version number
This means that a space export created in one major version of Confluence cannot be imported into a different major version of Confluence. For example, if you create a space export in Confluence 2.3.5, it cannot be imported into a Confluence 2.2.2 site. It can be however imported into 2.3.6. Similarly, a space export created in 2.2.2 can not be imported into 2.3.5. However, it can be restored into a Confluence 2.2.6 site.

If you try to carry out such an operation, an error message similar to the one below will be displayed and the import action will be stopped.

Screenshot: Major Version Clash on Space Restore

Workaround for restoring spaces between major releases

You'll need to set up a test server, download and install the same version of confluence as the version you exported the space from, then import the space into this test server. Next upgrade Confluence on your test installation to the right major version so that you can perform the export and import this space into your production confluence successfully. Otherwise, you can try to Change the version of the space export, but please try this on a test site as well.

You need to have System Administrator permissions in order to perform this function.

You can restore data from an XML backup file located somewhere on your local computer or a shared drive, or you can copy the XML file into the Confluence installation and restore it from there. The second option is recommended for large backup files. Both options are described below.

To restore data from an XML backup located outside Confluence:

  1. Choose the cog icon  at top right of the screen, then choose Confluence Admin.
  2. Choose Backup and Restore in the left-hand panel.
  3. Choose Choose File and browse for the backup file.
  4. Uncheck Build Index if you want to create the index at a later stage.
  5. Choose Upload and Restore.

To restore data from an XML backup located in your Confluence installation:

  1. Copy your XML backup zip file into the restore directory in your Confluence home directory. For example:
    • On UNIX: /opt/java/src/confluence/deployments/conf.atlassian.com/home/restore
    • On Windows: C:\Program Files\Atlassian\Application Data\Confluence x.x\restore
  2. Choose the cog icon  at top right of the screen, then choose Confluence Admin.
  3. Choose Backup and Restore in the left-hand panel.
  4. The zip file that you copied in step 1 will appear in the list of files under the heading Restore a backup from the Confluence Home Directory on your Confluence Administration Console. Select the zip file.
  5. Uncheck Build Index if you want to create the index at a later stage.
  6. Choose Restore.

Except where otherwise noted, content in this space is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia License.