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How to do Bulk/Mass Search & Replace in Elementor?

Bulk search and replace is a powerful feature available exclusively in the Pro version of the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin. This functionality allows you to perform mass search and replace operations across an unlimited number of posts, pages, and custom post types—saving time and simplifying content updates for larger WordPress sites.

Before running a bulk search and replace, it is critical to back up your WordPress database to ensure you can restore your site if anything goes wrong. Learn how to create a backup in this guide.

HTML with Regular Expressions (RegEx)

The plugin supports advanced Regular Expressions (RegEx) for matching and replacing HTML or other Elementor content. While this feature is incredibly powerful, it requires a solid understanding of RegEx syntax. Test your expressions on platforms like Regular-Expressions.info before using them, as the plugin performs minimal validation. Misusing RegEx can break your site, emphasizing the importance of a pre-operation database backup.

Dry-run: Safe Testing Mode

To minimize errors, the plugin includes a Dry-run mode enabled by default. This two-step process ensures you can preview results without making changes:

  1. Perform a search to highlight results (available for Text-only searches).
  2. Review the results by post or page, including the number of matches per item.

If you’re satisfied, disable Dry-run to execute the replace action. Dry-run can be toggled on the Options page for added flexibility.

Select Post Type

The bulk search and replace interface lists all Post Types with published Elementor content. This includes:

  • Standard WordPress posts and pages.
  • Custom Post Types with Elementor layouts.

Only published content is displayed; drafts and non-Elementor posts are excluded. Use the top bar to toggle all posts or pages for bulk operations.

Search Methods

Three search methods provide targeted functionality:

  1. Text-only: Searches text content within Elementor fields.
  2. Links (URLs): Locates and replaces hyperlinks.
  3. Images: Updates image file references.

Each method targets specific data fields by default, which can be customized in the Options page. For Text-only, you can enable case-sensitive searches.

Search For and Replace With

  • Search For: Enter your search term, URL, or image file. The input type adjusts based on the search method. Minimum input length is 3 characters for Text-only searches. Validation and sanitization ensure safe input for Links and Images.
  • Replace With: This field becomes visible only after running a Dry-run search. Enter your replacement text, URL, or image file to execute the replace action.

Action Buttons

The interface includes four dynamic action buttons depending on your selected options and stage of operation:

  • Search: Available when Dry-run is enabled.
  • Replace: Appears after running a Dry-run search or when Dry-run is disabled.
  • Clear: Clears custom tags used to highlight Text-only results.
  • Search & Replace: Exclusive to the HTML RegEx feature for executing combined search and replace operations.

Raw Data Limitations

Both the Free and Pro versions have a default 300KB raw data limit. The Pro version allows you to increase this limit up to 10,240KB on the Options page, accommodating larger posts and complex content.

Best Practices and Resources

  • Backup First: Always back up your database before running bulk operations. Learn how.
  • Test RegEx: Use tools like RegEx101 to validate your expressions.
  • Plan Your Changes: Use the Dry-run feature to ensure accurate results before applying replacements.

Conclusion

The Bulk Search and Replace feature in the Pro version of the plugin empowers users to efficiently update large-scale Elementor content. By offering advanced search methods, customizable options, and safeguards like Dry-run mode, the plugin ensures precision and flexibility. Take full control of your content with this indispensable tool while safeguarding your site with best practices. For more guidance, explore the WordPress Support Page and the Elementor Help Center.