WPBeginner https://www.wpbeginner.com Beginner's Guide for WordPress Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:43:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 How to Auto Export WordPress Form Entries (The Easy Way) https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-auto-export-wordpress-form-entries/ https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-auto-export-wordpress-form-entries/#respond Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpbeginner.com/?p=358296 If you regularly collect form submissions in WordPress, then exporting that data manually can quickly become a chore. Whether you’re tracking leads, orders, or feedback, downloading all those entries one by one takes time, and it’s easy to miss something important. Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t offer… Read More »

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If you regularly collect form submissions in WordPress, then exporting that data manually can quickly become a chore. Whether you’re tracking leads, orders, or feedback, downloading all those entries one by one takes time, and it’s easy to miss something important.

Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t offer a built-in way to auto export form entries. But with WPForms, I discovered that I could automate the entire process using their export tool—no need to install extra plugins or mess with custom code.

Instead of manually downloading CSV files or copying data from the dashboard, WPForms saves entries in clean, structured files on a schedule you can control.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up automatic form exports in WPForms so that your submissions stay organized without any extra effort.

Auto Export WordPress Form Entries

Why Auto Export WordPress Form Entries?

Automatically exporting WordPress form entries lets you save and organize data from those form submissions without any manual effort.

Instead of logging in to download submissions every time someone fills out a form, you can automatically send the data to your email, cloud storage account, or another connected app.

It’s a simple way to keep everything sorted, backed up, and accessible, without having to think about it.

Most WordPress website owners rely on forms to collect leads, orders, feedback, or bookings. But once submissions start adding up, manually managing them takes more and more time. That’s where auto export becomes really useful.

With automatic exports, you can:

  • Back up form entries to a location you control.
  • Cut down on repetitive admin work.
  • Keep your data organized and easy to access.
  • Avoid missing or overlooking submissions.
  • Simplify your reporting and follow-up process.

Once it’s running, auto export takes care of everything in the background, so you can focus on the work that actually moves your site forward.

Now, I’ll show you how to auto export form entries using WPForms:

How to Auto Export WordPress Form Entries

The best way to auto export WordPress form entries is by using WPForms, which is the best contact form plugin for WordPress.

It comes with a powerful Entry Automation addon designed exactly for this purpose.

Whether you want to email reports regularly, back up submissions to Google Drive, or automatically delete entries after they’re processed, this addon quietly handles everything in the background—no manual steps required.

WPForms' homepage

At WPBeginner, we use WPForms ourselves to create all kinds of forms, from simple contact forms to our annual reader survey.

We’ve also tested all its features thoroughly and included them in our detailed WPForms review.

It’s one of those tools that just works and saves us time behind the scenes, which is why I confidently recommend it to beginners and pros alike.

Plus, getting started with it is quick and easy.

Step 1: Install and Activate the WPForms Plugin

First, you need to install and activate the WPForms plugin.

If you’re not sure how to do this, then we have a step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin to help you out.

👉 Note: WPForms offers a free version that you can use to create basic contact forms. However, the Entry Automation addon is only available with the Elite plan.

Upon plugin activation, you have to activate your license key. To do this, go to the WPForms » Settings page in your WordPress dashboard and add your license key.

You can get this information from your account area on the WPForms website. This will unlock all the features available in your plan, including access to premium addons like Entry Automation.

WPForms license key field

Now that your license is active, head over to the WPForms » Addons page from your WordPress admin sidebar.

Here, look for the ‘Entry Automation Addon’ in the list. Once you find it, click the ‘Install Addon’ button to activate it on your website.

Install and activate the Entry Automation addon
Step 2: Set Up the Form You’ll Use for Automatic Exports

Now that WPForms and the Entry Automation addon are active, it’s time to create the form with the entries you want to export automatically.

To get started, visit the WPForms » Add New page in your WordPress dashboard and a name for your form.

Then, you can either choose a premade template like a contact form, registration form, or feedback form—or build one from scratch using the drag-and-drop builder.

If you want to speed things up even more, WPForms includes an AI Form Builder that can generate a complete form for you in seconds.

All you have to do is type in a short prompt, like ‘a simple customer feedback form,’ and the AI will instantly create a form with the right fields, layout, and structure. I’ve tested this feature myself, and it works really well.

Choose a form template in WPForms

Now, you will be taken to the visual builder where you can easily customize your form by dragging fields from the left panel into your form layout on the right.

You can add fields like Name, Email, Dropdowns, Checkboxes, File Upload, and more based on the type of information you need to collect.

Form in form builder

If you’d like more help building the right form, I’ve got you covered. At WPBeginner, we’ve written step-by-step tutorials to walk you through different form types:

Once your form looks good, you can configure its confirmation email settings. Then, click the ‘Save’ button at the top to store your changes.

Step 3: Set Up Automatic Export for Your Form Submissions

Now that your form is ready, it’s time to automate your exports so that you don’t have to manually download form entries ever again.

To do this, switch to the Settings » Entry Automation tab in the WPForms builder. This is where you’ll manage everything related to automatic exporting and deleting entries.

To begin, click the ‘Add New Task’ button.

Click the Add New Task button in WPForms

Once you do that, a prompt will open up, where you have to give a name to your task. I recommend choosing something clear like ‘Weekly Contact Form Export to Email’ so it’s easy to remember later.

This task will be like setting up a small workflow for your form. You can even create multiple tasks for one form, such as one task to send weekly email reports and another to back up entries to Google Drive.

After entering the name, click the ‘OK’ button to move forward.

Add a name for your automation task in WPForms

Next, you’ll be asked to choose a task type.

WPForms gives you two options: Export Entries and Delete Entries. For now, you need to select the ‘Export Entries’ option.

You can always come back later and set up a deletion task if needed. For example, to automatically remove old submissions after 30 days.

Choose the Export Entries option in WPForms

After choosing to export entries, you’ll see a few settings related to how your export file should be named. You can type a name manually, but I recommend using Smart Tags.

These tags can automatically pull in things like the form name or the date, which helps keep your files organized without any extra work on your part.

Just click the Smart Tag icon to see your options and insert the ones that make sense for you.

Choose a file name for export file with smart tags in WPForms

Next, let’s talk about how your form entries will be exported and where they’ll end up. I recommend choosing your file format first — this determines how your data will be organized when it’s sent out.

WPForms gives you several file types to pick from, and each one has its own advantages:

  • CSV – The default option, perfect for spreadsheet tools like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
  • Excel (XLSX) – This format preserves basic styling and structure, making reports look cleaner and more professional right out of the box. I recommend this option if you plan to share the file directly with clients or non-techy people who use Microsoft Excel.
  • PDF – Great for clean, printable summaries. I like this option when I want something polished to share in a meeting.
  • JSON – Best suited for developers or users integrating the data into other systems or apps.
Choose a file format for export files in WPForms

Once that is done, it’s time to decide where the exported file should go.

WPForms lets you automate this too, so you don’t have to manually send or upload anything. Here are your destination options:

  • Email – Send the export to one or more email addresses.
  • Google Drive – Save a copy of the export directly to your Google Drive account.
  • Dropbox – Store the file in your Dropbox folder for easy sharing and access.
  • FTP – Upload the export to a server using FTP. This option is designed for more advanced users or developers who need to send data to a custom application or a separate server.

Once you select your destination, WPForms will walk you through the connection steps.

For example, if you choose ‘Email’, then you will need to add the email address where the entries would be sent. On the other hand, if you choose Dropbox, then you will have to integrate it with WPForms.

Choose where to export form entries in WPForms

However, you don’t need to worry, since the plugin makes the process super beginner-friendly. Just follow the steps on the screen.

Step 4: Choose Form Fields and Apply Entry Filters Before Exporting

After setting your export format and destination, scroll down to configure what data should be included in the export and whether you want to filter the entries.

First, you’ll see the ‘Entry Information’ section. This area is neatly divided into two parts: Form Fields and Additional Information, giving you full control over what gets shared.

Under ‘Form Fields’, you’ll see the actual fields from your form—like Name, Email, and Comment or Message. Just check the boxes for the fields you want to include.

If you’re exporting a longer form with multiple inputs, you can use the ‘Select All’ option to save time.

Choose form fields to add in the exported file in WPForms

Then there’s the ‘Additional Information’ section. This includes extra details that WPForms tracks automatically, like Entry ID, Entry Date, Entry Notes, and Type.

You can select any combination of these fields to customize your export. I’ve found this especially useful if you only need a few key pieces of information for a weekly report or want to hide internal notes before sharing a file externally.

Choose Additional Information to add in exported file in WPForms

Below that is the ‘Filter’ section. This is where you can narrow down your export to include only the entries that meet certain conditions—for example, submissions from a certain date range or entries that include specific responses.

By default, WPForms sets the filter to ‘Any Field contains’, but you can customize this to narrow down entries based on specific form fields and values.

For example, if your contact form includes a dropdown like ‘Reason for Contact’, you could filter to only export entries where the reason is ‘Support Request’ or ‘Business Inquiry’.

This helps keep your exports focused on the types of messages you care about most.

Filter form entries based on different conditions in WPForms

You can also filter based on the status of the entry. WPForms lets you choose whether to include entries that are Published, Abandoned, or marked as Spam.

I recommend this filter if you want clean, finalized submissions in your export, or if you want to analyze incomplete or flagged messages separately.

Filter form entries based on publication status in WPForms

Additionally, you can choose to export all contact form entries or just the new submissions since your last export. This is a useful option for automating reports without duplicating data.

Once you’ve chosen which fields and filters to apply, WPForms will tailor the export exactly to your needs.

Use the export filter in WPForms
Step 5: Schedule WordPress Form Entries Export

Once your export settings and filters are in place, the final step is to schedule when you want WPForms to run the export automatically.

For this, scroll down to the ‘Schedule’ section.

You can start by choosing how often the export should happen. You can set it to run daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on how often you need updates.

Schedule Form entries export in WPForms

Next, pick the specific day(s) you want the export to run—like every Monday or the 1st of each month. You also need to add a start date and, optionally, an end date if you’re only exporting for a limited time.

WPForms will run the export at midnight by default, but you can customize the time of day to fit your team’s workflow or reporting schedule.

Once that’s done, the plugin takes care of the rest—automatically generating and sending the export file exactly as you configured.

💡Bonus Tip: To start collecting entries, you’ll also need to embed the form you just configured into a page on your website. For details, check out our step-by-step guide on how to embed forms in WordPress.

Step 6: Add a Task to Delete Form Entries After Export (Optional)

Once your form is live and the automation is running, you can go one step further by setting up a separate task to delete the entries after they’ve been exported.

WPForms doesn’t bundle this into the export task itself. Instead, you’ll need to create a new task with the ‘Delete Entries’ option and configure it to run after the export.

Don’t forget to toggle the ‘Run After Previous Task’ switch to make sure the tasks run in sequence.

Add the Delete Form Entries task in WPForms

You can even drag to reorder the tasks, so deletion only happens once the data has been safely exported.

This is a great way to keep your WordPress database lean and prevent data bloat. A smaller database helps your site run smoothly and makes your website backups smaller and faster to complete.

Drag and reorder automation tasks in WPForms

It’s also a good data privacy practice. 

By not storing user data on your website longer than necessary, you reduce risk and can more easily comply with privacy regulations like GDPR.

Step 7: Monitor Everything from the Automation Dashboard

If you’re managing multiple forms or scheduling regular exports, then having a clear overview of all your automated tasks is a game-changer.

The Automation Dashboard in WPForms makes this easy by showing all active tasks in one place.

I found this incredibly helpful when testing the feature because it gave me instant visibility into what was running, when, and whether everything was working as expected.

You can access it by going to the WPForms » Tools » Entry Automation page, where you’ll be able to:

  • View all forms with automation tasks configured.
  • Review task types, schedules, and current status.
  • Confirm whether export or delete tasks have run successfully.
Form entry automation dashboard

It’s the simplest way to stay organized and ensure everything is running exactly as planned.

🔄 Bonus: Take Automation Even Further with Uncanny Automator

Automatically exporting data from your WordPress forms is just one way you can save time. I also recommend setting up more automated workflows with Uncanny Automator.

It is the best WordPress automation plugin and comes with built-in integration for WPForms, so you can trigger powerful workflows the moment someone submits a form.

Uncanny Automator

While WPForms’ Entry Automation is perfect for managing the entries themselves (like exporting or deleting them), Uncanny Automator lets you use a form submission as a trigger to perform actions in other plugins or apps.

For example, you can automatically send a notification to Slack, create a new user account, enroll someone in a course, or even generate a WooCommerce coupon when someone fills out a form.

Creating an automation workflow for WPForms and Google Sheets

This can save you tons of time and streamline tasks that used to take hours. It’s a great way to level up your site’s automation without writing any code.

To get started, just see our tutorial on how to create automated workflows in WordPress with Uncanny Automator.

Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Form Entries

Here are some questions that are frequently asked by our readers about auto exporting WordPress form entries:

What are the limitations of using email to auto export form data?

The main limitation is that the data isn’t stored in a central dashboard. Instead, it lives in your email inbox. That means you’ll need to manually sort, organize, or back up the data if you want to keep records long-term.

There’s also a higher risk of missing something important if your inbox gets cluttered.

In my experience, this setup works well for smaller sites or solo business owners who just want a quick way to check form entries without logging into WordPress.

But as your site grows, you might need something more scalable.

When that time comes, WPForms makes it easy to switch to cloud storage options like Dropbox or Google Drive, so your entries are always backed up and easy to manage.

Is there a way to stop form spam from being exported?

Yes. WPForms includes built-in spam protection tools like Google reCAPTCHA, hCaptcha, and its own smart honeypot feature that help block junk submissions before they ever reach your inbox.

On top of that, WPForms also has a form entry filter that ignores abandoned or partial form submissions. That means your exports only include complete and legitimate entries, which saves time and keeps your records clean.

For details, see our guide on how to block contact form spam in WordPress.

Can exporting form entries reduce database bloat?

Yes, this helps keep your database clean and optimized. When you export entries and then delete them from WordPress, you avoid unnecessary data buildup. This makes backups faster and your admin area more responsive.

Will auto-exporting form entries slow down my WordPress site?

No, auto-exporting form entries won’t affect your site’s speed if set up correctly.

The export process happens in the background, so visitors won’t notice any slowdown when submitting a form. Think of it like a scheduled task on your computer—it runs quietly at a set time without interrupting what you’re doing. 

I didn’t experience any performance issues during testing, even on a site with multiple forms running.

I hope this article helped you learn how to auto export WordPress form entries. You may also be interested in our beginner’s guide on how to create GDPR compliant forms in WordPress and our list of best practices for contact form page design.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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How to Export and Erase Personal Data in WordPress https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-export-and-erase-personal-data-in-wordpress/ https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-export-and-erase-personal-data-in-wordpress/#respond Fri, 01 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpbeginner.com/?p=355882 A few years ago, I got my first data deletion request from a user. I’ll admit, I panicked a little. I knew I needed to respect their privacy rights, but I had no idea how to actually remove their data from my WordPress site without… Read More »

The post How to Export and Erase Personal Data in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

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A few years ago, I got my first data deletion request from a user. I’ll admit, I panicked a little. I knew I needed to respect their privacy rights, but I had no idea how to actually remove their data from my WordPress site without breaking anything.

That experience led me to discover something helpful: WordPress has built-in tools made for exactly this situation. Once you know where to find them, they make handling data requests surprisingly easy.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use Export and Erase Personal Data tools in WordPress.

Whether you’re preparing for GDPR, building trust with your users, or just want to be ready for future requests, this tutorial will help you do it with confidence.

How to Export and Erase Personal Data in WordPress

💡 This guide focuses on using WordPress’ built-in tools to remove personal data.

However, these tools may not delete information collected by third-party plugins, especially if the plugin isn’t fully GDPR compliant.

In those cases, you’ll need to check the plugin’s settings or contact the developer directly to make sure all personal data is removed.

What is Personal Data?

Personal data is any information that can be used to identify a person, either directly or indirectly.

On a WordPress site, this includes obvious details like names, usernames, and email addresses.

These are often collected when someone creates an account on your website, submits a contact form, subscribes to your email newsletter using a plugin like WPForms, or leaves a comment on a blog post.

Collecting personal information via the WordPress comment form

It also includes technical data like IP addresses, which can reveal a visitor’s general location. Analytics tools, comment systems, and security plugins often collect this by default.

Personal data can also include behavioral information, such as page views, session activity, or form responses that show user preferences. Even metadata—like the time someone submitted a comment or logged in—counts as personal data under most privacy laws.

All of this information can help build a profile of your users, which is why it’s important to manage it carefully.

Why Data Privacy Matters in WordPress

Privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. give users the right to access and delete their personal data. If you run a WordPress site, it’s important to follow these laws and show your visitors that you respect their rights.

Here’s why that matters:

  • You’re legally required to comply. Under laws like the GDPR, you must give users access to their data or delete it upon request. Failing to do so can lead to serious legal trouble, including expensive fines.
  • It helps you build trust with your visitors. When people feel confident that you’re handling their data responsibly, they’re more likely to subscribe, make a purchase, or share their information with you.

If your site feels unsafe or unclear about privacy, then visitors may hesitate to engage or leave altogether.

Ready to learn how to export and erase user data in WordPress? Simply use the quick links below to jump to the section you want to read first:

How to Accept Data Export and Deletion Requests

If someone wants to access or delete their personal data, then you’ll need a simple way for them to send that request.

The easiest method is to add a form to your WordPress site that collects their name, email address, and any extra details you need to identify them.

I recommend using WPForms for this. It’s beginner-friendly and includes ready-made templates like ‘Right to Erasure Request Form’ and ‘Data Request Form’, so you don’t need to start from scratch.

Creating a data erasure form using a ready-made template

WPForms includes drag-and-drop templates that make it easy to build your form without starting from scratch. You can customize the fields and publish the form in just a few clicks.

🌟 Here at WPBeginner, we’re not just recommending WPForms – we built all our own forms with it! That’s right, from our contact pages to our online surveys, it’s all powered by WPForms. 

We’ve put it to the test daily, and that’s why I’m so confident in telling you it’s the real deal. Want to learn more? Then dive into our detailed WPForms review.

There is a WPForms Lite version that is 100% free to use. However, we’ll be using WPForms Pro in this guide because it comes with the ‘Right to Erasure Request Form’ and ‘Data Request’ templates.

First, you’ll need to install and activate WPForms Pro. If you need help, please see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once the plugin has been activated, head over to WPForms » Settings in your WordPress dashboard.

How to add a license key to the premium version of WPForms

From here, the first thing you have to do is enter your license key into the ‘License Key’ field. You can find this information in your WPForms account.

That done, head over to WPForms » Add New.

How to create a new form in WPForms

Here, type a name for your form into the ‘Name Your Form’ field.

Your site visitors won’t see the name, so it’s just for your reference.

How to create a privacy and compliance form using WPForms

Now, you’ll need to select the template you want to use.

In the search field, start typing in either ‘Right to Erasure Request Form’ or ‘Data Request’, depending on the kind of form you want to create.

How to select one of WPForms' ready-made form templates

When you find the template you want to use, simply click its ‘Use Template’ button.

This will launch WPForms’ drag-and-drop form builder.

Selecting a ready-made form template to use on your WordPress blog or website

Here, you’ll see a live preview on the right and form fields in the left-hand menu.

To customize any of the template’s built-in fields, simply click to select that field. The left-hand menu will then show all the settings you can use to customize it.

WPForms' drag and drop form builder

Want to add more fields to your form?

Just find the field you want on the left side of your screen and drag and drop it right into your form’s live preview.

How to add fields to a data request form

For more detailed instructions, see our tutorial on how to create a contact form in WordPress.

Once you’re happy with your form, simply click the ‘Save’ button at the top to close the form builder.

How to create a data access form for your WordPress website or blog

Next, open the page or post where you want to add the form that you just created.

From here, click the add block ‘+’ button.

How to add a block in the WordPress content editor

In the popup that appears, start typing in ‘WPForms.’

When the right block appears, simply click to add it to the page or post.

How to embed a form on a WordPress page or post

Once you’ve done that, you need to open the block’s dropdown menu and select the form you just created.

You can now publish or update this page as normal to make the form live on your site.

Accepting data access requests using an online form

Now, simply repeat this process to create separate forms for data access requests and data erasure requests.

How to Monitor Data Access and Erasure Requests

Once your forms are live, you’ll need a way to track incoming data request submissions from your users.

Fortunately, WPForms makes this easy by storing every form entry in your WordPress dashboard.

To find these requests, just go to WPForms » Entries.

Managing data access and deletion requests efficiently using WPForms

Simply click on the form you want to review.

You’ll now see a list of submissions, including any data access or erasure requests users have sent.

Managing privacy and compliance submissions in WordPress

To stay compliant with privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it’s important to review and respond to these requests promptly.

Now, I’ll show you how to export and erase personal data in WordPress.

How to Export Personal Data in WordPress

When someone requests a copy of their personal data, WordPress has a built-in tool that lets you export that information and send them a link to download it.

This step is required under privacy laws like the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). It’s also a good way to build trust with your users by showing them exactly what data you’ve collected from them.

💡WordPress sends the data export link via email, so it’s vital these messages arrive safely in their inbox and not the spam folder. That’s why I recommend setting up an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP

We use this plugin on WPBeginner, and it’s had a big impact on our email deliverability rates. Want to learn more? Just read our in-depth WP Mail SMTP review

To begin, you need to go to Tools » Export Personal Data in your WordPress dashboard.

From here, you’ll enter the user’s email address or username and choose how to handle the request.

Exporting the user's data using the built-in WordPress tools

At this point, you have two options: you can either create the request directly in your WordPress dashboard, or you can send the user an email asking them to confirm that they want to export their data.

Let’s explore both options.

Option 1: Request Confirmation via Email

If you want to make sure the request is genuine, WordPress lets you send a confirmation email first. This is a good option when you’re unsure about the user’s identity.

To do this, check the box next to ‘Send personal data export confirmation email.’ Then click on ‘Send request.’

Sending a confirmation email to your WordPress users

The user will receive an email with a confirmation link.

They simply need to click on it.

An example of a data export confirmation email

Then, they’ll see the following message:

“The site administrator has been notified. You will receive a link to download your export via email when they fulfil your request.”

How to request a copy of your personal information

WordPress will now notify you via email.

This email includes some basic information about the user who made the request.

How to export personal information from your WordPress website

You can click the link in this email to go straight to the Tools » Export Personal Data screen.

Here, you’ll see the user’s request is now marked as ‘Confirmed.’

How to comply with important privacy laws by exporting their personal data

To go ahead and process this request, click on ‘Send export link.’

With that done, the user will receive an email containing a link to download their data as a ZIP file.

An example of a completed data access request

Now, WordPress will mark the request as ‘Completed’ in your dashboard. The request will also appear in a separate ‘Completed’ tab, along with all your other completed data export requests. 

In this way, WordPress creates a complete record of all your completed requests. This means you can prove your compliance if you’re ever audited or someone questions your privacy practices. 

Exporting the user's personal information from WordPress upon request

With that in mind, I recommend keeping a complete log. 

However, if you want to remove a completed request at any point, just click its ‘Remove Request’ link.

Removing requests from your compliance record in WordPress
Option 2: Export the Data Immediately

Alternatively, you can create a data request directly in your WordPress dashboard without sending a confirmation email first.

This is helpful if you need to process the data request immediately or if you’re confident that the person making the request is genuine.

For example, they might use an email address that’s already linked to their account or contact you through a support channel where you’ve verified their identity.

In these cases, make sure to uncheck the box next to ‘Send personal data export confirmation email.’

How to send confirmation messages to your customers and users

Then, go ahead and click ‘Send request.’ 

This creates the request in your WordPress dashboard, with the status ‘Confirmed.’

An example of a data export request in the WordPress admin area

To send this person an email with a link to download their data, just click ‘Send export link.’

You can see an example of how this email looks in the previous section.

How to send a personal information export link to your users

As I mentioned before, WordPress will now mark this request as ‘Completed’ in your dashboard. Once again, this is proof that you acted on the visitor’s request, which will be invaluable if you ever need to prove your compliance. 

How to Erase Personal Data in WordPress

If someone asks you to delete their personal data, then WordPress has a built-in tool that helps you do that safely.

This step is required under privacy laws like the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and it’s a key part of staying compliant with GDPR, PDPL, and other international regulations.

The process is similar to exporting data: you create a request, optionally confirm it by email, and then erase the data from your WordPress dashboard.

⚠️ Important: Depending on how you handle user data, you might also need to delete it from other services or apps you use. For example, you may need to remove the user’s record from your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) app or your email marketing service.

To begin, go to Tools » Erase Personal Data in your WordPress admin area.

How to access the built-in WordPress Erase Personal Data tool

In the ‘Username or email address’ field, just type in the email address or username of the person who has asked you to delete their personal data. 

At this point, you can either send a confirmation email to the user or go ahead and create the request in your WordPress dashboard.

Option 1: Send a Confirmation Email

To start, you can ask the user to confirm that they truly want to delete all their personal data.

Erasing a user’s data is a big step, so I suggest sending this email even if the request seems genuine because it gives the user a chance to change their mind.

To request confirmation, check the box next to ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email.’

Getting confirmation before deleting the user's personal information

You can then click the ‘Send request’ button.

The user will now get an email about the data deletion request with a link to confirm that they want to delete their data.

An example of a data compliance email, created by WordPress

If they click this link, they’ll see a screen with this message:

“The site administrator has been notified. You will receive an email confirmation when they erase your data.”

How to confirm a customer's data deletion request

You will now get an email confirming that the user wants to erase their data.

To fulfil this request, either click the URL in the email or head back to the Tools » Erase Personal Data screen in your WordPress dashboard. 

Confirming the erasure of personal information on your WordPress blog or website

On this screen, you’ll see the user’s name with a ‘Confirmed’ status.

To go ahead and delete this person’s data, click on ‘Erase personal data.’

How to delete a user's personal information from your WordPress website, blog, or online store

As soon as that’s done, WordPress will send the user an email confirming that you’ve removed their data.

This email also includes a link to your privacy policy, so the person can get more information if they want. 

How to comply with important privacy laws

In your WordPress dashboard, this request will now be marked as ‘Completed.’

As I’ve already mentioned, having a record of these requests will be helpful if you’re ever audited. 

Removing data deletion requests from your WordPress dashboard
Option 2: Delete the Data Immediately

Alternatively, you can create an erasure request directly in the WordPress dashboard without sending a confirmation email first. 

This is useful if you need to act on a request straight away. It can also be handy when you’re confident that the request is genuine and the user definitely wants to delete all their personal data.

For example, you might get the request through a secure, verified login area on your membership site, which confirms the user’s identity.

In that case, make sure you uncheck the box next to ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email.’ You can then go ahead and click on ‘Send Request.’

Sending a confirmation email to your customers or users

WordPress will now create this request in your dashboard and mark it as ‘Confirmed.’

To go ahead and process this request, click on ‘Erase personal data.’

How to process data erasure requests straight away

Now, WordPress will send the person an email confirming that you’ve deleted their data.

As with data exports, WordPress will mark this request as ‘Completed.’

Ensure Your Site is Fully GDPR Compliant

Exporting and erasing personal data is an important step, but it’s not the only thing you need to do to make your WordPress compliant with different privacy laws.

To fully meet privacy standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you’ll also want to:

  • Use GDPR-friendly plugins. You need to make sure the plugins you install handle personal data responsibly. You can start with our list of the best GDPR plugins for WordPress.
  • Install a privacy compliance plugin. With a plugin like WPConsent, you can display cookie consent popups, record and manage user consent, and automatically block tracking scripts before users give their consent.
  • Display a detailed privacy policy and cookie policy on your website. For details, see our guide on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress.

To see all our tips, you can read our complete guide to GDPR compliance in WordPress.

Bonus Tip: Create a Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info Page

If your website gets visitors from California or other places with strict privacy laws, then you may have extra legal responsibilities. One of those is giving users a way to opt out of having their personal information sold or shared.

The easiest way to do this is by creating a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info” page. This gives users a clear place to make opt-out requests and helps your site stay compliant with laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

An example of a 'Do Not Sell My Info' page, created using WPConsent

Your opt-out page should include a short explanation of your data practices and a simple form where visitors can submit their request. And fortunately, it’s easy to create this page with WPConsent.

WPConsent also lets you log these requests for your records and include consent options in your cookie popup, making it a great all-in-one solution.

To see step-by-step instructions, check out our full guide: How to Create a Do Not Sell My Info Page in WordPress.

FAQs About Personal Data Management in WordPress

Knowing how to manage personal data isn’t just about legal compliance—it also helps build trust with your audience.

To make things easier, I’ve answered some of the most common questions WordPress users have about handling personal information.

How Often Should I Review Data Requests in WordPress?

You should review data requests at least once every week or two.

This helps you catch any requests early and respond on time, especially if email notifications aren’t turned on.

If you’re using a plugin like WPForms or WPConsent, then make sure submission alerts are working so you don’t miss anything.

Regular reviews help you stay compliant with privacy laws and avoid delays when responding to users. It also shows your visitors that you take their privacy seriously.

Is Exporting WordPress Data Secure?

Yes, WordPress makes data exports secure by default. It even includes confirmation links to help verify each request.

To make your site even more secure, be sure to install an SSL certificate, use trusted security plugins, and keep everything up to date.

For more on this topic, please see our guide on how to improve your WordPress security.

How Do I Inform My Website Users About Their Data Rights?

You’re required to tell users about their data rights to stay transparent and follow privacy laws.

I recommend adding clear resources like a privacy policy, a cookie consent popup, and a Do Not Sell My Info Page.

These pages help users understand their rights and how to act on them while visiting your website.

How Can I Ensure My WordPress Website Complies with Privacy Laws?

Staying compliant with privacy laws goes beyond handling data export and deletion requests.

You may also need to create a cookie policy, write a full privacy policy, and let users opt out of sharing their personal data, depending on which laws apply to your site.

Each law is different, so be sure to research the specific regulations that affect your WordPress site or blog.

I hope this guide has helped you learn how to export and erase personal data in WordPress. Next, you may want to see our expert picks of the best GDPR plugins to improve compliance, or our guide on how to keep personally identifiable info out of Google Analytics.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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WPBeginner Spotlight 14: From Entry Automation to AI Building Blocks – The Future of WordPress is Here https://www.wpbeginner.com/news/wpbeginner-spotlight-14-from-entry-automation-to-ai-building-blocks-the-future-of-wordpress-is-here/ https://www.wpbeginner.com/news/wpbeginner-spotlight-14-from-entry-automation-to-ai-building-blocks-the-future-of-wordpress-is-here/#respond Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.wpbeginner.com/?p=358054 July was a big month for WordPress, with major updates across AI, automation, and community initiatives. Several plugins rolled out real AI features right inside the dashboard, making content creation and SEO faster and easier. On the community side, we saw exciting momentum. WordPress.org launched… Read More »

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July was a big month for WordPress, with major updates across AI, automation, and community initiatives. Several plugins rolled out real AI features right inside the dashboard, making content creation and SEO faster and easier.

On the community side, we saw exciting momentum. WordPress.org launched a new internship program for university students, WooCommerce introduced key accessibility improvements, and multilingual support expanded across popular tools.

In this edition of WPBeginner Spotlight, we’ll walk you through the biggest news, updates, and tools that stood out.

📌 WPBeginner Spotlight brings you a monthly roundup of the most important WordPress news, updates, and community happenings. 📅✨

Got something to share? Whether it’s a new product launch, a significant update, or an exciting event, reach out to us through our contact form, and your news could be featured in the next edition! 💬

The July issue of WPBeginner Spotlight - Featuring WordPress industry news and updates

AIOSEO Launches Built-in AI Content Generator to Boost Content Creation 🪄

All in One SEO (AIOSEO) has launched a powerful AI Content Generator inside the WordPress editor. It’s designed to help you write faster, optimize your content, and overcome writer’s block.

The tool is integrated into the AIOSEO sidebar of the block editor, so you don’t need to switch between apps or tabs while writing.

AIOSEO AI content generator

You can use the AI generator to write optimized SEO titles and meta descriptions that improve click-through rates. It can also generate content sections like FAQs with schema or article summaries.

💡The AI Content Generator is available to both Lite and Pro users. All in One SEO Lite users receive free credits to get started, while Pro users can access the feature through their existing license.

AIOSEO’s tool also helps with content promotion by generating tailored posts for Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. You can even rewrite specific sentences or entire paragraphs to better match your tone or target audience.

Easily generate social media posts in WordPress using AI

Additionally, the update includes support for llms.txt file, which is a new file that guides AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to your most useful content. This can help them understand your site better and link back to it in their answers.

WPForms Launches Entry Automation—Your Form Data Now Manages Itself

WPForms has introduced Entry Automation, a new feature that lets you create automated, scheduled workflows for your form entries.

You no longer have to manage form data by hand. With Entry Automation, you can export or delete entries automatically based on your own rules.

WPForms entry automation

You can create a custom schedule for each form and set actions to run daily, weekly, or monthly—even down to the exact day and time.

When exporting entries, you can use smart filters to choose exactly which data to include, based on form fields or status. The CSV file is then emailed to you automatically, so you never miss an important lead.

Setting up automated schedules to manage form entries in WPForms

Entry Automation is a big time-saver if you manage leads, registrations, or surveys. It also keeps your database clean by removing old or unnecessary entries on a schedule you control.

Overall, Entry Automation is a powerful upgrade for anyone who relies on form data. It reduces manual work and keeps your submissions organized and consistent.

WordPress AI Building Blocks Introduced—MCP, SDKs, and Smart APIs for the Future of Publishing

The WordPress project has officially unveiled its plan for integrating AI directly into the platform. This new initiative introduces several “Building Blocks” that aim to create a unified, ethical AI framework across the WordPress ecosystem.

For developers, the AI team is releasing new AI Software Development Kits (SDKs). These toolkits will make it much easier to build powerful AI features into plugins and themes, while keeping the user experience consistent.

At the center of the framework are Smart APIs, which let WordPress connect to different AI services. This gives users the freedom to choose the models they want instead of being locked into one provider.

AI Services will let users connect their WordPress website to different AI platforms

A key part of this is the Abilities API. It creates a shared language that helps AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude understand what your site can do—and even perform tasks like creating content or managing media for you.

The overall goal is to democratize AI for website owners by making powerful tools accessible to everyone while maintaining user control and open-source principles. These building blocks lay the foundation for what’s next, including AI-powered editing tools and smarter media management.

WPBeginner Turns 16 Years Old

WPBeginner 16th birthday

This month, WPBeginner celebrated our 16th birthday. Since our website was founded in 2009 by Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner has grown into the largest free WordPress resource for beginners.

Over the years, the mission has stayed the same: make it easy for anyone to create a website with WordPress, regardless of their technical skill level.

To celebrate, WPBeginner hosted our biggest giveaway yet—offering over $20,000 in prizes. A total of 87 winners received premium WordPress plugins and tools to help grow their websites.

We’re deeply grateful 🙏 for the community support that’s helped WPBeginner grow and thrive. We look forward to sharing helpful tutorials, guides, and resources for many years to come.

Free Recurring Payments Now Available on WP Simple Pay —No Upgrade Needed

WP Simple Pay has made recurring payments available to all users by adding the feature to its free Lite version. This feature was previously limited to Pro users, but now anyone can create and manage subscriptions without upgrading.

This is a big update for small businesses, creators, and nonprofits that rely on recurring revenue but don’t need a full eCommerce setup. You can now accept donations, membership fees, or payments for ongoing services right from your WordPress site.

Stripe subscription payment via WP Simple Pay Lite
WP Simple Pay - Form templates

Setup is still simple. You can create a Stripe subscription plan with preset weekly, monthly, or yearly billing, then link it to a payment form on your site in minutes.

The update also adds new form templates and improved security, powered by Stripe’s Unified Payment Element (UPE). By unlocking this key feature, WP Simple Pay helps more users build sustainable revenue directly on WordPress.

WordPress Credits Program Brings University Students Into Open Source

Contributing to WordPress for college credits

WordPress.org has launched the WordPress Credits program, a new initiative designed to bring university students into the world of open-source development. It works like a structured internship, connecting students with experienced mentors to work on real WordPress projects.

Through this program, students from all fields of study can contribute to WordPress core, themes, plugins, and community teams while earning academic credit from their universities. This provides a clear pathway for young developers, designers, and writers to gain valuable real-world experience.

The pilot program was developed in partnership with the University of Pisa and has already attracted significant interest. Now, the WordPress Foundation is inviting more universities and educational institutions to join the initiative.

The program helps bring new talent into the open-source community. By building a steady pipeline of contributors, WordPress is investing in the project’s long-term growth and innovation.

Charitable Unlocks Square Donations and Donor Trust to Add Social Proof to Your Fundraising Campaigns

Charitable has rolled out two major updates to improve fundraising in WordPress. The plugin now includes a direct, built-in integration with Square, which offers another major payment gateway option for collecting donations.

It’s available to both Lite and Pro users and supports credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Because it’s part of the core plugin, there’s no need for a separate add-on, and performance is smoother, too.

The second new feature is DonorTrust, a tool designed to increase conversions using social proof. It displays small, real-time notifications on your site whenever someone makes a donation.

Charitable donor trust social proof

These non-intrusive popups are fully customizable and can be configured to show donor names, locations, and donation amounts. Seeing other people donate builds trust and adds urgency, making visitors more likely to give to your cause.

BuddyBoss App Now Supports 20+ Languages With Multilingual App Interface

BuddyBoss multilingual update

BuddyBoss has made its mobile app more accessible to global communities by adding full multilingual support. App users can now switch the entire interface to their preferred language from profile settings, creating a more inclusive experience

The app automatically detects a user’s device language on first launch and includes built-in translations for over 20 languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. This covers all core interface elements, including buttons and navigation menus.

For community owners, this is a big step forward for international SEO. It’s especially helpful in regulated markets like the EU and Canada, where native-language support is often required. The feature is available to all BuddyBoss App users at no extra cost.

While the app interface is automatically translated, community owners can use WPML’s AI-powered services to translate custom content like pages and posts. This creates a fully localized experience and helps you connect with members around the world.

WPCode Just Made Custom Snippets Smarter—38 Tags and a New Import Tool

WPCode has enhanced its popular code snippets plugin with powerful new smart tags and a migration tool. The latest version adds 38 smart tags that let you insert dynamic information into your snippets.

WPCode smart tags

These tags work like dynamic placeholders, helping you create personalized, context-aware content without writing complex PHP. That means your snippets are easier to reuse and adapt across your site.

The smart tags can pull data from popular plugins like WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, MemberPress, and All in One SEO. For example, you could automatically insert a product’s price or a post’s SEO title into a custom script.

The update also includes a new import tool specifically designed for users of the old Post Snippets plugin, which is no longer maintained. It helps you safely migrate your existing snippets to WPCode in just a few clicks.

SearchWP Adds Multiple Results Templates, Compatibility with Site Builders, and Promoted Search Ads

SearchWP has released a major update that gives site owners significantly more control over their website’s search results.

You can now create multiple search results templates to display different layouts for different types of content.

Search results templates

For example, you could show a grid layout for WooCommerce products, a list view for blog posts, and a unique design for documentation pages, all from the same search bar. This helps create a more intuitive experience for your visitors.

SearchWP has also improved compatibility with popular site builders like Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, and Bricks. You can now use dedicated blocks for adding search forms and results pages directly within your favorite WordPress page builder, without needing to mess with shortcodes.

The update also adds Promoted Search Ads—a way to feature specific content at the top of search results for certain keywords. It’s like an internal ad system, great for highlighting products, cornerstone content, or special offers.

In Other News

  • WPConsent now includes one-click geolocation-based consent settings with built-in templates for GDPR, CCPA, and more. It also lets you block custom scripts and iframes before consent, helping your site stay compliant across regions.
  • Easy Digital Downloads Pro now includes built-in EU VAT handling, making compliance much easier for digital product sellers in the EU and UK. The update adds automatic tax rates, real-time VAT number validation at checkout, and integrated reporting tools.
  • Tickets are still available for WordCamp US 2025 (August 26–29 in Portland, Oregon). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, network, and connect with WordPress professionals from around the world.
  • Wholesale Suite now supports automatic invoicing and payment charging, which streamlines the checkout process for wholesale customers using Net 30/60/90 terms. It’s a big time-saver for managing recurring B2B payments.
  • WooCommerce 10.0 was released on July 14 with major upgrades. These include WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance, shareable checkout links, improved cart performance, and an experimental new Add to Cart block powered by the Interactivity API.
  • WordPress 6.9 is on the proposed roadmap for release in December 2025. It will continue the focus on collaboration tools and design improvements introduced in earlier 6.x versions. Stay tuned for feature previews in the coming months.
  • Formidable Forms now lets you embed dynamic graphs in emails and PDF reports—no JavaScript required. This new feature automatically converts interactive charts into images so that you can share visual data summaries easily.

New Plugins & Tools

  • Envira Gallery CDN – A new service that automatically delivers your WordPress images through a Content Delivery Network (CDN). This makes your photo galleries load faster for visitors around the world.
  • WPConsent (🔥trending) – The fastest growing WordPress cookie popup and compliance plugin. It allows you to easily manage cookie consent and privacy compliance on your WordPress website.
  • User Comment Delete – Allows logged-in users to delete their own comments using a link next to their comment.

That’s a wrap for this month’s WPBeginner Spotlight! We hope you enjoyed catching up on the latest news and updates from the WordPress ecosystem.

Got a product launch, feature update, or cool project you think we should cover? Send us a message, and we might feature it in our next edition.

We’ll see you again next month with another round of WordPress news. Thanks for reading and being part of the WPBeginner family.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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