Import and export redirect rules

Use a native CSV

source,destination,code
/old-page,/new-page,301
/old-offer,/offers,302
/retired,,410

In RedirectNest → Redirects, open Import & export. Choose Download CSV template for a starting file, or select Import format and Export file, then choose Preview import. Expand Supported formats and conversion differences for the adapter details. Native CSV requires the exact column names source and destination. Headers must be unique and supported, and every data row must have the same number of columns. Header checks also run when the file contains no data rows.

Free supports basic exact rules in the native format. Preview and fix errors before confirming an import. Export remains available without Pro. Imports must stay below 2 MB and within the 5,000-rule limit.

Review competitor conversions

Since 0.5.6, Free can preview native CSV, Redirection JSON and Rank Math CSV, and review Simple 301 CSV for manual conversion. It imports native basic CSV and reviewed basic exact-rule conversions from Redirection JSON. Choose the format that matches the export. These conversions are not a promise of identical matching behavior.

Redirection and Rank Math decode incoming URLs, while RedirectNest matches literal paths. For example, the source plugin may match both /old and /%6Fld with one rule; RedirectNest does not treat those paths as identical. The conversion preview displays this difference and requires you to select an initially unchecked acknowledgement before importing. Native CSV does not require this extra conversion acknowledgement.

Before switching plugins, test encoded variants as well as ordinary paths. If matching every original variant is required, prepare and test a deliberate manual mapping or retain a redirect system that supports the original behavior. Acknowledging the warning does not change RedirectNest’s matcher.

For Redirection JSON, Free conversions require query handling represented as ignore or pass-through, with strict case and trailing-slash behavior. Redirection’s exact-query mode requires Pro even when the source has no query string. Query conditions, case/slash controls and nondefault priorities can make an otherwise exact rule advanced.

A Redirection conversion containing advanced matching is limited to 200 rows so the exported rule order can be represented. This can include otherwise basic exact rows in the same file. Review the ordering before preparing smaller files; splitting an export can change which rule takes priority.

Rank Math exact rules ignore trailing slashes. Its conversions therefore require Pro for that setting, as well as acknowledgement of the encoded-path difference. Every converted Rank Math rule counts toward the 200-advanced-rule limit, including exact sources, because it ignores trailing slashes. Free can preview these exports and explain which rows need Pro.

Simple 301 exports are available for conversion review but cannot be imported automatically in either edition. Prepare a new native CSV mapping only after deliberately reviewing and testing the intended paths and behavior.

Activated Pro can convert supported advanced rules. Neither edition silently removes unsupported conditions or schedule data. Unsupported rows block the whole import; the acknowledgement does not bypass these checks.

Review before applying

Check the preview for duplicate sources, invalid destinations, redirect loops and rejected matching options. Any rejected rows block publication of the import; there is no automatic “accepted rows only” mode. Correct the file or prepare a separate compatible subset, then preview it again. If live rules change after your preview, make a fresh preview against the current set.

For competitor conversions, read the encoded-path warning and select its acknowledgement only after reviewing the conversion. It is unchecked by default and required before committing. Native CSV has no extra conversion acknowledgement.

Free imports add new sources. Use a Pro migration workspace when you need an explicit add/update choice and a full rule diff before publication. A preview made while Pro was active cannot bypass the feature gate if activation later becomes unavailable. Advanced redirects require Pro to remain installed and active. If Pro is removed or inactive, those rules stay saved but do not run. Free can still pause, delete, export and recover them; restoring compatible Pro resumes their matching.

Understand the import fit summary

The preview separates rows that fit Free, need Pro converter evaluation, need manual conversion or have invalid, conflicting or over-capacity data. Pro is not a fix for a malformed file or an unsupported condition. Successfully validated rows are counted even when another row blocks the whole file; none are published until all rows pass.

Download the row-error CSV for the current preview, correct the source file and upload a new preview. The preview and error download are local to the current administrator and expire after 15 minutes. Both editions share the 5,000 total and 200 advanced rule limits.