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Switching from other download extensions (Pro)

Pro version. This feature is part of the Pro version of Fileshelf. What the Free version does is covered under Free version and Pro version.

The page Fileshelf → Import takes over categories, downloads, files and download counts from another download extension of the same site. The old extension stays as it is and keeps working: Fileshelf only reads, files are copied. Super Users see the page.

SourceWhat is taken over
Phoca Download 6Categories with image, downloads, counts, version, tags, license
jDownloads 4Categories, downloads, counts, version, tags, license, passwords; optionally the same file in several categories becomes one download
Dropfiles 6Categories with image, files, counts, version, tags, several categories per file
Membership ProThe documents of the plans, bound to their plans (see Memberships with Membership Pro)

If a source is not installed or its tables differ from the known version, the page says why and imports nothing.

How an import runs

  1. Choose Preview and import for the source. The preview shows the category tree and the first downloads with what will happen to them – nothing has changed yet.
  2. Choose where the categories go. By default a new, unpublished category "Import from …" keeps the import together. Leave Take over the download counts ticked if the counts should go on.
  3. Start the import. It runs step by step; keep the page open until the report appears. You can cancel at any time; starting again continues.
Preview of the import from Phoca Download with category tree, first downloads and options
The preview before the import.

An import can be repeated: what was taken over is skipped; a taken-over download deleted since then comes back.

What is not taken over

  • Files Fileshelf does not accept: every file is checked like an upload (allowed file types, size, content). Refused files are listed with the reason in the report; adjust the options if needed and start the import again.
  • Files outside the site: links, files in a cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive). Fileshelf only delivers its own files.
  • Passwords stored only encrypted: such downloads and categories arrive unpublished; set a new password and publish them.
  • Single download records: only the count is taken over.

Access levels that do not exist on this site become "Special". License texts go into the field License, which the import creates once.

The report

The report says what was taken over and what was skipped, and leads through the next steps.

Report of the import with counts, aftercare and checklist
The report with aftercare and checklist.
  • Publish the import: Joomla keeps categories below an unpublished category unpublished. The button publishes the category of the import and every category that is published in the source.
  • Replace shortcodes: articles and custom modules with shortcodes of the old extension get those of Fileshelf. Articles keep the old text in their versions. What cannot be replaced is listed under "By hand".
  • Create redirects: old addresses of downloads and categories lead to the new ones once the old extension is uninstalled. The plugin "System - Redirect" must be switched on.
  • Switch menu items: menu items of the old extension then show the matching page of Fileshelf.

Uninstall the old extension only after you have checked the report.

Deutsche Fassung