Importing content

The following types of content can be imported into Silva:

• assets such as images, files and videos can be uploaded
• text in Silva XML format
• spreadsheet data - csv data

The import area is in the contents screen and is reached by clicking on import... located on the upper right side of the screen. 

Fig. 1. Click on "import..." in the contents screen

Importing XML

Silva XML from other locations or Silva sites can be imported. You must have an XML file on your local disk that you can upload. In the “import silva xml“ section browse to select the file on your disk, and click the import button (alt-i).

The import will create a new branch in your Silva complete with Publications (if any), Folders, and Documents. All references and metadata remain intact. If you are using custom metadata sets, the same sets must be available as in the original location.

Note that only the XML text will be imported. Content such as Images, Assets, and Zope objects are not included in an XML export. Access settings for users are also not carried over.

If you wish to import/export more that just textual content, a full media export will serve your purposes better.

Fig. 2. Import form

Importing a full media zip file

If you are importing a full media archive (.zip) – created by a Silva full media export, the system will recognize it and handle it properly. The options ‘title for assets’ and ‘subdirectories’ don’t have any effect. The folder structure of the exported content will be recreated, and the names for the assets will be the same as they were before the export. Chief Editors and above can export full media archives.

Be careful with turning in “replace content”. It will overwrite content even if it’s published. You can always import separately and delete the old content later.

Importing assets in a zip file

If you need to upload multiple assets, the easiest way is to create a zip file on your local disk and import that. Silva will extract all the assets and place them in the current location.

Click on import...
In the import and extract zip archive (.zip) section of the import form, browse to select the file on your disk. (Fig. 2)
The form gives you two options:

title for assets: if a title is filled in all imported assets will be given the title.

subdirectories: if the zip file contains subdirectories. checking this checkbox will tell Silva to create folders that match the hierarchy in the zip.

Click the import zip button (alt-z).