---
title: "Export / Import"
description: "Learn how to export and import custom blocks between WordPress sites using the Lazy Blocks plugin."
url: "https://www.lazyblocks.com/docs/export-blocks/"
lastUpdated: 2026-09-09
source: "export-blocks.mdx"
---
# Export / Import

Blocks and templates leave the site as a JSON file for another WordPress install, or as PHP code to keep in a theme or a plugin.

The screen is **Admin Menu → Lazy Blocks → Export / Import** and opening it takes the `manage_options` capability. Blocks and templates are exported apart from each other, each to its own file.

## Export options

### JSON export

**Export JSON** downloads the selection as one file, named after what it holds and the day it was made, `lzb-export-blocks-2026-09-09.json` for blocks and `lzb-export-templates-2026-09-09.json` for templates. This is the file the Import box takes, so JSON is the format for moving blocks to another site.

### PHP export

**Generate PHP** gives you code to keep in a theme or a plugin, and under version control with it.

  The Lazy Blocks plugin must be active for exported PHP code to work.

The code is a single `add_action( 'lzb/init', ... )` wrapper with one call inside it per selected item:

```php title="PHP"
add_action( 'lzb/init', function() {
    lazyblocks()->add_block( array(
        'title'    => 'Testimonial',
        'slug'     => 'lazyblock/testimonial',
        'icon'     => '<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" ...></svg>',
        'category' => 'text',
        'controls' => array(
            array(
                'type'      => 'text',
                'name'      => 'author',
                'label'     => 'Author',
                'placement' => 'inspector',
            ),
        ),
        // The rest of the block settings follow here.
    ) );
} );
```

Templates use the same wrapper and `add_template()` instead:

```php title="PHP"
add_action( 'lzb/init', function() {
    lazyblocks()->add_template( array(
        'title'         => 'Product Page',
        'post_types'    => array( 'product' ),
        'template_lock' => 'insert',
        'blocks'        => array(
            array( 'lazyblock/testimonial' ),
        ),
    ) );
} );
```

## Export methods

### Single block export

Export individual blocks directly from the blocks list:

That row link only takes `edit_lazyblocks`, so somebody who cannot open the Export / Import screen can still export one block from the [blocks screen](https://www.lazyblocks.com/docs/managing-blocks/blocks-screen/).

### Bulk export

Export multiple blocks at once using bulk selection:

### Template export

The **Export Templates** box is only rendered when the site has at least one [template](https://www.lazyblocks.com/docs/templates/). It carries the same **Export JSON** and **Generate PHP** buttons as the blocks box and writes a separate file.

## Import

The Import box takes one `.json` file, and the extension is the only thing checked before the file is read. A file that does not decode to an array is reported as `Import file empty`. A file that decodes but holds nothing Lazy Blocks recognises imports nothing and reports nothing.

- Imported blocks arrive published, which is **Active** on the blocks screen.
- Blocks are not deduplicated. Importing the same file twice gives you two copies of every block in it.
- A template is refused when an existing template already covers one of its post types, with the notice `Template for these post types 'product' already exists.`

To change the data on its way in, filter the decoded file with [lzb/import_json](https://www.lazyblocks.com/docs/php-filters/lzb-import_json/), or act on each new block with [lzb/import/block](https://www.lazyblocks.com/docs/php-actions/lzb-import-block/).

## Try demo blocks

Download our demo blocks package containing examples of all available controls:

  Download Demo Blocks

  After downloading, unzip the file before importing into WordPress.

## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.lazyblocks.com/llms.txt
> Fetch every page in a single file at: https://www.lazyblocks.com/llms-full.txt