Dreamweaver Article

Backing Up Site Definitions in Dreamweaver

Using the Dreamweaver Export/Import Feature

One easy and fast way to back up a site definition is to use the built-in export and import feature in Dreamweaver. This built-in function is available in Dreamweaver MX, Dreamweaver MX 2004, and Dreamweaver 8. Dreamweaver 4 users must download and install a special extension, Site Import Export.

Note: The export feature backs up only the site definition. It does not back up your site's files. You have to do that manually!

Exporting Site Definitions in Dreamweaver 4

Dreamweaver 4 doesn't have a native import and export feature. Instead, you have to use a special extension for exporting and importing site definitions.

1. Download and install the Site Import Export extension for Dreamweaver 4/4.01.
2. To export a site definition, choose File > Export > Export Site.
3. To import a site definition into Dreamweaver 4, choose File > Import > Import Site. After importing a site definition you must shut down and restart Dreamweaver before the imported site appears in Dreamweaver.

Note: The Site Import Export extension is not compatible with Dreamweaver MX/MX2004/8. These versions have a built-in export and import feature. Dreamweaver 4 does not recognize STE files used in Dreamweaver MX and later. Therefore, you cannot import a site definition exported from Dreamweaver 4 into a newer Dreamweaver version. However, when you install Dreamweaver MX, Dreamweaver MX2004, or Dreamweaver 8, your existing Dreamweaver 4 and UltraDev site definitions will be imported automatically into the newer version of Dreamweaver. In short, do not uninstall Dreamweaver 4 before installing a newer version of Dreamweaver.

Exporting Site Definitions in Dreamweaver MX/MX 2004/8

To export site definitions in Dreamweaver MX/MX 2004/8, follow these steps:

1. Choose Site > Edit Sites (Dreamweaver MX) or Site > Manage Sites (Dreamweaver MX 2004/8) to access the site manager.

   Alternatively, in Dreamweaver MX 2004/8, you can also select Manage Sites from the pop-up list in the Files panel to access the Site Manager (see Figure 1).

   

   Figure 1. Select Manage Sites from pop-up list.

2. Highlight the site name you want to export and click Export (see Figure 2).

   

   Figure 2. Highlight site name, then click Export...

3. In the Export Site dialog box, Select the Back up my settings option and click OK (see Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3. Select the Back up my settings option.

4. Save the SiteName.ste file.

   Tip: Use the name of the site for the SiteName so that you can recognize it easily later when you want to import it.

When you export a site definition, Dreamweaver writes the settings into an XML file with an STE extension. Do not change, add, or remove anything in that file!

Importing a Site Definition File

To import a Site Definition file, follow these steps:

1. Open the Manage Sites window.

2. Click the Import button (see Figure 4).

   

   Figure 4. Click Import in the Manage Sites window.

3. Dreamweaver adds a new site name called Unnamed Site 1 to the list. This is a placeholder for the name of the site you want to import (see Figure 5).

   

   Figure 5. Dreamweaver adds a new site called Unnamed Site 1.

4. Navigate to the STE file you want to import, select it, and click OK.

   It might take a few seconds until your imported site name appears in the list. The imported site's name will replace Unnamed Site 1.

5. Click Done to save the new extended list and to close the Manage Sites window.

Note: Always use the Done button. Dreamweaver can behave strangely if you leave the Manage Sites window using the X in the upper right corner!

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