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How to Import and Export Your Contact Form 7 Data with CFDB7

29 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Contact form 7 database addon – cfdb7

Content

Migrating your Contact Form 7 submission data to a new site or simply creating a backup is a common need for website administrators. Many users of the 'Contact Form 7 Database Addon – CFDB7' plugin find that the standard WordPress export tools do not handle this data. This guide will walk you through the most common methods for exporting and importing your valuable form entries.

Why Standard WordPress Export Doesn't Work

The 'Contact Form 7 Database Addon – CFDB7' plugin stores submissions in a custom database table within your WordPress database. The core WordPress export function is designed for posts, pages, and comments, not custom tables. Therefore, you need a different approach to move this data.

Method 1: Using a Dedicated Import/Export Add-on (Recommended)

Based on numerous community threads, the developers and community often suggest using a separate plugin to handle imports and exports. This is typically the easiest method for most users.

  1. For Exporting Data: An add-on often mentioned in support forums is the "Public Export to CSV" extension. This tool allows you to export your form submissions directly from the WordPress admin area into a CSV file.
  2. For Importing Data: To bring data into a CFDB7 installation, the "CFDB7 Import" add-on is frequently recommended. This plugin is designed to take a CSV file and insert the records into the database, making it ideal for migrations or restoring backups.

Note: BugWP.com is an independent resource and is not affiliated with these add-ons. You can search for "CFDB7 Import CSV" and "CFDB7 Export CSV" to find these tools.

Method 2: Manual Database Manipulation (Advanced)

For users comfortable with phpMyAdmin or other database management tools, a manual export/import is possible.

  1. In your source website's database, locate the wp_db7_forms table (the wp_ prefix may be different if you changed it).
  2. Export this single table as an SQL file.
  3. On your new website, ensure the CFDB7 plugin is installed and activated. This will create the necessary empty table.
  4. Import the SQL file you exported into the new website's database.

Warning: This method requires technical skill. Incorrectly modifying your database can break your site. Always create a full backup before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I import data from another form plugin or a custom post type?
A: Based on community questions, this is not a default feature of the core CFDB7 plugin. Importing data from other sources typically requires custom development work to format the data correctly for the CFDB7 table.

Q: I have a full site backup but no CSV export. Can I recover my data?
A: Yes. If you have a database backup (e.g., from phpMyAdmin or a backup plugin), you can restore the entire database or extract just the wp_db7_forms table and import it manually using Method 2.

Q: The plugin doesn't save the IP address. How can I add it?
A: The core plugin does not store this data by default. Community suggestions often involve using an additional plugin, like "Contact Form 7 Dynamic Text Extension," to capture the IP address and pass it through the form as a hidden field, which CFDB7 will then save.

Conclusion

While the 'Contact Form 7 Database Addon – CFDB7' itself does not have built-in import/export functions, the solutions above provide clear paths for managing your data. For most users, seeking out the dedicated import and export add-ons is the most straightforward solution. For advanced users, a manual database transfer is a powerful alternative.

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