Quick Start and Usage

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Find detailed, step-by-step instructions below on plugin installation, usage, and license management.

How to Use the Plugin with 3rd-party Add-ons for Elementor?
The Search & Replace for Elementor plugin, available exclusively in the Pro version, now supports seamless integration with some of the most popular 3rd-party add-ons for the Elementor editor. This powerful feature allows you to efficiently search and replace text, images, links, or HTML across your Elementor pages, even within content created using additional plugins—all with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Enable Integration with 3rd-Party Add-ons

To begin:
  1. Navigate to the plugin’s Options page in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Scroll to the 3rd-Party Add-ons section.
  3. Select the plugin you use to build your Elementor pages.
Once selected, the plugin scans your site and loads all relevant data field keys from the chosen 3rd-party add-on. These keys represent the fields where content is stored (e.g., text, URLs, or images) within your published Elementor pages.

Step 2: Perform Search and Replace Operations

After selecting the 3rd-party add-on:
  1. Use the Search & Replace plugin as you normally would.
  2. All search and replace operations will now apply specifically to the add-on’s data field keys, ensuring precision.
This targeted functionality streamlines updates and eliminates the need to sift through unrelated content fields.

Supported 3rd-Party Add-ons

As of November 2023, the following 3rd-party Elementor add-ons are supported: With these integrations, you can update and manage content created with these plugins effortlessly.

Why Use 3rd-Party Add-on Integration?

This feature is particularly beneficial for:
  • Streamlined Content Updates: Target specific fields from supported plugins to save time.
  • Consistency Across Add-ons: Ensure uniformity when updating text, links, or images in designs that use multiple Elementor add-ons.
  • Advanced Customization: Handle complex content structures within your Elementor pages with precision and ease.

Future Expansion

Our team is actively working to expand compatibility with more 3rd-party Elementor add-ons. If you use a plugin that isn’t currently supported, feel free to contact our support team and submit a feature request.

Conclusion

The ability to integrate with 3rd-party Elementor add-ons in the Pro version of the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin is a game-changer for users managing complex designs. By providing targeted search and replace functionality, this feature simplifies content updates and enhances efficiency. Explore the Elementor Documentation or visit the respective add-on pages for more details on their features. Take full control of your Elementor content with this advanced functionality today!
How to Search and Replace Images in Elementor?
The Search & Replace for Elementor plugin makes it easy to update images across your site by using their full file paths. This feature is available in both the Free and Pro versions of the plugin, providing a straightforward process to locate and replace images efficiently.

Step 1: Select the Images Search Method

To begin, navigate to the plugin’s search interface and select the Images search method. This option allows you to target image file paths directly, ensuring precise updates.

Step 2: Choose the Image to Replace

To simplify the process, the plugin integrates the default Media Library modal, a familiar interface for WordPress users. Follow these steps:
  1. Open the Media Library modal from the plugin interface.
  2. Browse or search for the image you want to replace using the library’s search bar.
  3. Once you’ve found the desired image, click the “Select Image” button.
  4. This action populates the image’s full file path into the search field automatically, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.

Step 3: Run the Search

After selecting the image, click on the Search action button. The plugin will search your Elementor content for all instances where the specified image path is used, and you’ll receive a list of results.

Step 4: Choose the Replacement Image

Next, repeat the process for the replacement image:
  1. Open the Media Library modal again.
  2. Select the new image you wish to use as a replacement.
  3. Click the “Select Image” button to populate its full file path into the replacement field.

Step 5: Replace the Image

Finally, click the Replace action button to complete the process. The plugin will update all instances of the original image path with the new one across your Elementor content.

Why Use Full Paths for Image Search and Replace?

Using the full file path ensures precision, as it targets the exact image file in your Media Library. This method reduces the chances of accidental replacements, particularly on large sites with multiple images of similar names.

Pro Tips for Effective Image Replacement

  1. Backup Your Database: Before making changes, always back up your WordPress database to ensure you can restore your site if needed. Learn more in this guide.
  2. Use the Dry-run Option: Enabled by default, Dry-run mode lets you preview search results before applying changes, reducing the risk of errors.
  3. Optimize Replacement Images: Ensure that replacement images are properly optimized for web use to maintain site performance. Tools like TinyPNG or Smush can help.

Conclusion

The Image search method in the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin streamlines the process of updating images across your site by leveraging full file paths and the Media Library modal. Whether you’re replacing outdated visuals or optimizing for new designs, this feature offers precision and ease of use. For more information on managing images in WordPress, explore the Media Library Documentation or visit the plugin’s support page for additional guidance.
How to Search and Replace Links (URLs) in Elementor?
The ability to search and replace links is essential for updating or managing URLs across your Elementor content. With the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin, you can achieve this efficiently using various methods. These features are available in both the Free and Pro versions, offering flexibility for individual and bulk updates.

1. Text-only Method

The Text-only search method is ideal for scenarios where links are embedded within text widgets. When using this method:
  • All HTML tags are stripped from the data field, except for the <a> tag (anchor tag), which is retained for links.
  • For example, if you have URLs embedded in text widgets that need updating, the Text-only method allows you to search and replace the URLs without affecting other HTML elements.
This approach is straightforward and works well for simple link updates within text content.

2. Links (URLs) Method

The Links (URLs) search method targets all Elementor widgets that use the "url" data field key. This includes default widgets like Buttons, where the "url" key is standard for link attributes. When using this method for individual or bulk search and replace, the plugin automatically identifies these fields and replaces the URLs as specified. This makes it especially useful for updating button links or other elements across your site. Learn more about Elementor widgets and data fields in the Elementor documentation.

3. Links (URLs) Method + Unfiltered URLs

For more complex scenarios, such as partial or non-compliant URLs, the Links (URLs) method with Unfiltered URLs is invaluable.
  • Filtered Input: By default, all input data for this method is sanitized and validated to ensure compliance with URI syntax.
  • Unfiltered Input: For cases where URLs contain non-Latin symbols, special characters, or mixed entities, you can disable sanitization and validation.
To enable Unfiltered URLs:
  1. Navigate to the Options page in the plugin settings.
  2. Set the Unfiltered URLs option to “Yes.”
This allows partial or complex URLs to be updated without interference from validation filters.

4. Custom URL Data Field Keys

For users leveraging 3rd-party Elementor addons, the plugin supports custom data field keys:
  • Many 3rd-party plugins prefix their data fields (e.g., elkit_).
  • To locate these keys, use the Scan Data button on the Options page.
  • Look for fields containing the "url" keyword within the add-on’s data field keys.
Once identified, select the required keys and perform the search and replace operation. This method is particularly useful for managing links added by 3rd-party plugins and addons.

Best Practices for Searching and Replacing Links

  1. Backup Your Database: Before performing search and replace operations, always back up your database to ensure you can restore your site if needed. Learn how in this guide.
  2. Test Changes: Use the Dry-run option (enabled by default) to preview changes before applying them. This ensures accuracy and prevents unintended modifications.
  3. Review Unfiltered URLs: Only use the Unfiltered URLs option when absolutely necessary, as it bypasses validation and may accept potentially malformed data.

Conclusion

The Search & Replace plugin provides a comprehensive toolkit for updating URLs in Elementor content. Whether you need to manage simple text-based links, handle complex URLs, or work with custom data fields, the plugin’s flexible options make the process efficient and reliable. For advanced configurations or troubleshooting, visit the plugin documentation or the WordPress Support page. With these powerful tools, managing links across your Elementor site has never been easier.
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.
How to do Search and Replace in Elementor?
The Search & Replace for Elementor plugin provides a seamless search and replace feature directly within the Elementor editor, available for both the Free and Pro versions. This functionality simplifies content updates, making it easy to modify text, URLs, or images without leaving the editor.

Getting Started: Accessing Search & Replace

To begin, open any published Elementor post or page and follow these steps:
  1. Click the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the editor.
  2. In the secondary menu, you’ll see the “Search & Replace” option.
If you’ve enabled the Editor Top Bar via the Elementor Features tab (accessible from Elementor > Settings > Experiments), you’ll also see a Search & Replace icon directly in the top menu for quicker access. Selecting this option opens a modal window containing all the available settings and tools for performing search and replace operations.

Free vs. Pro: Key Differences

The primary difference between the Free and Pro versions lies in the raw data limit for search and replace.
  • Free version: Default raw data limit is 300KB.
  • Pro version: Allows you to increase this limit under the Options tab, making it ideal for handling larger pages or more complex content updates.

Step 1: Search

  1. Select your Search Method:
    • Text-only: Locate and highlight text content.
    • Links (URLs): Modify URLs within your content.
    • Images: Replace image file references.
  2. Choose additional options:
    • Highlight Text: Temporarily highlight results for easier review.
    • Case-Sensitive Search: Match text exactly as entered.
  3. Enter your search term and click the Search button.
After executing the search, you’ll receive a response message with the number of matches found. If performing a Text-only search, matches will be highlighted within the editor. No changes are made yet—only markers are added for review. You can remove these markers at any time by clicking the Clear button.

Step 2: Replace

  1. Review the highlighted results to ensure accuracy.
  2. Enter the replacement text or URL, then click the Replace button.
If satisfied, the changes will be applied immediately. If not, you can undo the operation by clicking the Undo button, located next to the results message. This reverts the content to its initial state.

Automatic Saves and Safeguards

At every stage of the process—search, replace, or undo—the current page is automatically saved. You don’t need to manually update the page after performing search and replace operations, ensuring your work is secure.

Conclusion

The Search & Replace feature in the Elementor editor is a powerful tool for quickly updating content with precision. Whether you’re managing a small blog or a large-scale website, this plugin streamlines content editing, saving time and effort. To learn more about Elementor’s features and best practices, visit the Elementor Documentation. For advanced use cases, consider upgrading to the Pro version to unlock higher data limits and additional customization options.
How to Backup and Import Database with the Plugin?
Before making any changes to your website using the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin, it’s crucial to back up your database. This precaution ensures that you can restore your website to its previous state if something unexpected occurs during the search and replace process. To simplify this task, our plugin includes a built-in Backup feature designed to handle the majority of use cases, providing users with a convenient and reliable solution.

Backup Your Database

To create a backup of your database:
  1. Navigate to Elementor > Search & Replace in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click on the Backup tab.
  3. Press the Backup Database button.
Once the backup process is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation message with a Download link. Clicking this link will download the backup as a .sql file and automatically delete it from the server, ensuring no residual backup files take up unnecessary space. Store this file securely on your local machine or cloud storage for easy access if needed. For more tips on database backups, visit the WordPress Backup Documentation.

Restore Your Database

If something goes wrong during the search and replace operation, you can restore your database:
  1. Return to the Backup tab.
  2. Click on the Import Database option.
  3. Select the .sql backup file saved on your device.
  4. Complete the restoration process to revert to your website’s previous state.
This functionality ensures you can undo changes quickly and efficiently, providing peace of mind during potentially complex operations.

Limitations of the Built-In Backup Feature

While our backup feature is robust, it has limitations, particularly for:
  • Large databases.
  • Server constraints such as execution time limits or maximum packet size.
For larger websites or more advanced needs, consider alternative methods for creating full backups.

Alternative Backup Methods

If the built-in backup feature encounters issues, you can:
  • Perform a manual backup by exporting your database via tools like phpMyAdmin. Learn how in this guide.
  • Use a backup plugin from WordPress.org, such as UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration. These plugins offer more comprehensive backup solutions and additional features like scheduled backups and cloud storage integration.

Conclusion

Backing up your database is a critical step before using the Search & Replace for Elementor plugin. The built-in backup feature simplifies this process for most scenarios, but alternative methods are available for more complex requirements. By ensuring you have a reliable backup in place, you can confidently perform search and replace operations, knowing you can restore your site if necessary. For more information on backups and recovery, visit the WordPress Support Page. Protect your website today and enjoy a safer, more efficient workflow!
How Will I Get Regular Plugin Updates?
Plugin updates for Search & Replace for Elementor Pro are delivered seamlessly, just like any other plugin installed on your WordPress website. When an update is available, you will be notified directly within your WordPress Admin dashboard, under Dashboard > Updates or Plugins > Installed Plugins, similar to plugins hosted on the WordPress.org Plugin Repository.

Enabling Auto-Updates

For convenience and security, it is strongly recommended to enable the “Enable auto-updates” option for the plugin. By doing so, your site will always run the latest version of Search & Replace for Elementor Pro, ensuring compatibility, new features, and protection against vulnerabilities. Learn more about plugin auto-updates in this guide.

Licensing and Updates

You will continue to receive plugin updates and support as long as your license remains active and valid. Updates include:
  • New features or enhancements
  • Security patches
  • Compatibility improvements with the latest WordPress version
If your license expires or you cancel auto-renewal—whether directly from your account on the plugin’s website or via PayPal—you will no longer receive updates or support for the plugin. However, the plugin will still function on your site in its current version.

License Expiry Notifications

Before your license expires, you will receive an email notification to remind you to renew. This ensures you have ample time to renew and maintain access to updates and support. For more details about license management, refer to the plugin documentation or contact plugin support. By staying updated, you ensure your website remains secure and benefits from the latest features of Search & Replace for Elementor Pro.
How do I Activate the Plugin License?
After successfully installing and activating the Search & Replace for Elementor Pro plugin, you must enter your license key to unlock its features. If the license key is not entered or is invalid, you will see the message: “Invalid or empty license key! You need to enter and activate your license on the License page.”

Locating Your License Key

Your license key is provided at the time of purchase and can be found in several places:
  1. Purchase Receipt: After completing your payment, the license key will be displayed on the purchase confirmation page.
  2. Email Confirmation: Check the inbox of the email address you used during registration for a receipt that includes your license key.
  3. My Account Section: Log in to your account on the plugin’s website and navigate to My Account > Orders to view your license key.
If you need help locating your license key, refer to the plugin support documentation.

Activating Your License

  1. Log in to your WordPress Admin area and navigate to the Search & Replace for Elementor Pro settings page.
  2. Click on the License tab. If this is your first time, the license status will show as Inactive, indicating no license has been entered.
  3. Copy your license key and paste it into the license activation field.
  4. Click the Activate License button.
If the activation is successful, you will see the message: “Plugin license key has been activated successfully!” The license status will change from Inactive to Active.

Start Using the Plugin

Once your license is activated, you can access all the features and updates included with your purchase. For more details on licensing and troubleshooting, visit the plugin’s FAQ.
How to Install the Plugin in WordPress?
Installing the Search & Replace for Elementor Pro plugin through WordPress is the easiest and most user-friendly method. It requires no additional software and can be done directly from your WordPress Admin area. However, if you lack permission to upload plugins via WP Admin (common in restricted hosting environments), you will need to use an alternative method, such as FTP or SFTP.

Installing via WordPress Admin (Preferred Method):

  1. Download the Plugin: After purchasing the plugin, log in to your account on the plugin website and download the search-replace-for-elementor-pro.zip file to your computer.
  2. Upload the Plugin: In your WordPress Admin area, navigate to Plugins > Add New. At the top of the page, click the Upload Plugin button. Browse to the search-replace-for-elementor-pro.zip file you downloaded, select it, and click Install Now. For more details, refer to this guide.
  3. Activate the Plugin: Once the installation completes successfully, click the Activate button to enable the plugin.

Important Notes:

  • If you already have the free version of the plugin installed, it will either need to be deactivated manually or will deactivate automatically upon activating the pro version. WordPress does not allow both versions of the plugin to be active simultaneously.
  • After activation, you can access the plugin’s main settings page from the WordPress Admin menu.

Alternative Method: Installing via FTP/SFTP:

If you cannot install via the WordPress dashboard, you can use FTP or SFTP tools such as FileZilla or WinSCP. This method requires extracting the plugin zip file and uploading it to your server under the wp-content/plugins directory. Following these steps ensures your plugin is correctly installed and activated, ready for use. Should you encounter issues, visit the WordPress support forums or contact plugin support for assistance.
How to Install the Plugin with FTP or SFTP?
To install the Search & Replace for Elementor Pro plugin, you can upload the plugin files to your server via FTP or SFTP using tools such as FileZilla or WinSCP. Follow the steps below for a seamless installation process:
  1. Download the Plugin: After purchasing the plugin, log in to your account on the plugin website and download the search-replace-for-elementor-pro.zip file to your computer.
  2. Unzip the Archive: Extract the downloaded zip file into a folder named search-replace-for-elementor-pro. This will contain all the necessary plugin files. If you’re unsure how to unzip files, refer to this guide.
  3. Upload the Plugin Files: Using your preferred FTP or SFTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP), connect to your server and navigate to the wp-content/plugins directory. Upload the extracted search-replace-for-elementor-pro folder into this directory. Learn more about FTP in WordPress documentation.
  4. Activate the Plugin: Once the upload is complete, log in to your WordPress Admin dashboard. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, locate Search & Replace for ElementorPro, and click Activate.

Important Notes:

  • If you already have the free version of the plugin installed, you must either deactivate it manually or let it deactivate automatically during this process. WordPress does not allow both the free and pro versions of the plugin to be active simultaneously.
  • After activation, you can access the plugin’s features from its main settings page in your WordPress Admin area.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure the plugin is correctly installed and ready to use on your WordPress site. Should you encounter any issues, refer to the WordPress troubleshooting guide or contact support for assistance.