Announcing the MLA CSV Data Source Example plugin

Over the years several people have asked about MLA features to use a CSV file to update data associated with Media Library items. I have always replied with my regrets that MLA contains no such features and the work required to add them was more than I could devote to the project.

Recently I had something of an epiphany and realized that I could implement CSV access as a custom data source, avoiding much of the work I has originally imagined. The custom data source was a modest development project that allows MLA users to take advantage of MLA’s mapping rules and bulk editing features to import CSV variables in a wide variety of ways.

I recognize that this is not a complete solution for migrating from one site to another, i.e., exporting data from one site and importing it to another. It is, however, a partial solution.

I have uploaded a new MLA Development Version dated 20200528 that includes a new “MLA CSV Data Source Example” plugin. You can find step-by-step instructions for using the Development Version in this earlier topic:

PHP Warning on media upload with Polylang

Once the Development Version is installed you must install and activate the example plugin. Navigate to the Settings/Media library Assistant Documentation tab and click the “Example Plugins” button. Type “CSV” in the text box and click “Search Plugins” to filter the table.

You are looking for the “MLA CSV Data Source Example” plugin. Find that plugin and hover over the title in the left-most column. Click the “Install” rollover action, then go to the WordPress Plugins/Installed Plugins submenu and activate the example plugin as you would any other plugin. Make sure you have the latest version, 1.00, installed.

Once the Development Version and updated example plugin are installed and active you can navigate to the Settings/MLA CSV Data admin screen and configure the plugin for your application. You will find a Documentation tab with quite a bit of instructions and information. I would be very interested in any suggestions you have about the documentation content.

This example plugin will be part of my next MLA version, but in the interim it would be great if you could install the Development Version and the example plugin and let me know if it works for you. Thanks for inspiring this long-wanted MLA improvement.

I’d like to thank the authors of the following MLA support topics for their input and their patience in awaiting my progress:

Update image meta data from CSV
opened on 5/10/2020 by @eledris

Export Settings?
opened on 5/5/2020 by @redkite

Migrating Data From One Site to Another
opened on 11/26/2019 by @digisavvy

Export/Import Att. Data
opened on 8/15/2019 by @customle

Batch upload of media (not bulk upload)
opened on 3/30/2018 by @yassermkali

Import/Export Funcionality
opened on 10/15/2017 by @polymathy

Bulk Add Unique Captions
opened on 2/17/2016 by @hunterscreate

How to migrate image attributes during site migration
opened on 8/30/2015 by @cliffmama

Export / Import Att. Categories
opened on 6/4/2014 by @thitz and @vipoxofni

export / import settings
opened on 9/23/2013 by @bhensler

What about a media library export/import function
opened on 9/25/2012 by @brentwz