Did you know in Elementor you can build a fully designed page once and reuse it across your entire website or even on other sites with just a few clicks?
That’s the magic of Elementor templates.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned designer, learning how to import and export Elementor templates is one of the easiest ways to speed up your workflow, maintain brand consistency, and share layouts with your team or clients.
If you’re looking to streamline your design process even further, don’t miss our guide on enhancing your Elementor design workflow with smart techniques and productivity tips.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Avoid common issues while importing & exporting,
- Save time by exporting your favorite layouts,
- Import them into any project instantly.
Key Takeaways
- Understand how Elementor templates improve workflow.
- Learn to export Elementor templates in just a few clicks.
- Discover how to import templates across pages or websites.
- Troubleshoot common import/export issues.
- Boost productivity by creating a reusable design library.
What are Elementor Templates
Elementor templates are pre-designed layouts you can save and reuse across your website. Instead of building the same section, page, or layout from scratch every time, you can save it as a template and insert it whenever needed.
Elementor has different templates:
- Page Templates: Full-page layouts
- Container Templates: Individual container like hero banners, footers, or testimonials
- Header/Footer Templates: For theme builders
These templates can be saved, exported, imported, or even shared making them essential for any Elementor user looking to streamline their workflow.
Why Import and Export Elementor Templates
Once you have created the layout you love, the ability to export it as a template means you can use it on other pages, other websites, or even share it with your teams or clients.
Here’s why importing and exporting Elementor templates is so helpful:
- Save Time and Effort: Stop rebuilding the same layout repeatedly. Export your headers, footers, sections, or full pages once and reuse them wherever needed.
- Maintain Consistency Across Projects: Using templates ensures uniform design and structure across your entire website or multiple site, perfect for agencies and freelancers.
- Boost Team Collaboration: You can share template files (.json) with other designers or developers, enabling a smooth collaborative workflow.
- Backup and Version Control: Templates act like backups of your design. If you ever need to revert to an older layout or replicate a design, your saved template file has you covered.
- Cross-Site Reusability: Created a design on one site? You can export it and use it on a completely different website with a compatible Elementor version.
How to Export Templates in Elementor
Exporting templates in Elementor allows you to save your designs as .json files, which you can use on other pages and websites or share with others. Here’s how to do it:
Steps to Export an Elementor Template
- Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Elementor → Templates
- You’ll see a list of all your saved templates
- Hover over the template you want to export
- Click the “Export Template” option
- The template will automatically download as a .json file to your computer
Pro Tip: Give your exported file a clear name like “Homepage-Layout-Aug2025.json” so it’s easy to manage and find later.
Want to reuse your layouts even faster? Learn how to duplicate Elementor templates and pages effortlessly, perfect for replicating designs with minor tweaks across your website.
How to Import Elementor Templates
Importing Elementor templates is just as simple as exporting them. Whether you’ve received a .json file from a teammate or exported it earlier yourself, Elementor makes it easy to reuse designs.
Steps to Import an Elementor Template
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Elementor → Templates
- At the top of the page, click the “Import Templates” button
- Choose the .json file from your system that you want to import
- Click the “Import Now” button.
That’s it! Now use the Template in Your Design.
After importing, go to any page or post, edit with Elementor, and click the Folder icon → My Templates. You’ll now see your imported template listed and ready to be inserted.
Want to see this process in action? Check out our detailed guide on How to Manage Templates in Elementor to learn how to insert, edit, and reuse imported templates effectively inside the Elementor editor.
Common Issues During Import/Export Elementor Templates
While importing or exporting templates in Elementor is usually smooth, you might occasionally run into a few hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
JSON File Not Uploading
Cause:
The uploaded file isn’t a valid Elementor .json template, or it’s corrupted.
Fix:
- Make sure the file has a .json extension.
- Only use files exported from Elementor (not random JSON files).
- Try exporting the template again and uploading it again.
Missing Widgets or Layouts After Import
Cause:
The template relies on widgets from Elementor Pro or third-party plugins you haven’t installed yet.
Fix:
- Check which widgets are missing using Elementor’s navigator.
- Install and activate the required plugins (e.g., Elementor Pro or any addon plugin like Elementor Addon Elements).
Incompatible Elementor Versions
Cause:
The template was created with a newer version of Elementor than the one you’re using.
Fix:
- Update Elementor plugin to the latest version before importing.
- If the template was built using Elementor Pro, make sure the Pro plugin is installed and active.
Template Doesn’t Appear After Import
Cause:
The import might have failed silently due to file size limits or server restrictions.
Fix:
- Refresh the page and check again under Elementor → Templates -> Saved Templates.
- If it’s still not visible, try re-importing or increasing your PHP file upload limit.
Images Not Loading After Import
Cause:
Images used in the template are linked to the original site and weren’t embedded or transferred during the import.
Fix:
- Manually re-upload missing images to your media library.
- Replace broken image URLs with the new ones hosted on your current website.
FAQs on Importing & Exporting Templates in Elementor
What file type does Elementor use for templates?
Elementor uses the .json file format for importing and exporting templates. When you export a template, it downloads as a JSON file, which you can later import into any Elementor-powered website.
Can I use Elementor templates on another website?
Absolutely. As long as both sites have Elementor installed, you can export a template from one and import it into the other. Just make sure both sites have compatible versions and required plugins.
Where can I find the templates after importing them?
After importing, your template will appear under Elementor → Templates → Saved Templates. From there, you can insert it into any page using the Elementor editor.
Can I edit an imported template before inserting it?
Yes. After importing, open the template under “Saved Templates,” make any edits in Elementor, and then insert it wherever you need.
What is the difference between a page and a template in Elementor?
A page in Elementor is a live, published part of your website like your homepage or contact page. A template, on the other hand, is a saved layout that you can reuse.
Can I manage and reuse templates directly inside Elementor?
Yes, Elementor provides a built-in “Saved Templates” library. For advanced template management including inserting saved containers and reusing them in real projects, check out our tutorial on how to manage templates in Elementor.
Design Smarter With Elementor Templates
Mastering the import and export of Elementor templates can significantly boost your productivity. Whether you’re a freelancer or website owner, this feature helps you:
- Reuse layouts across pages and sites
- Maintain a consistent design system
- Save time by avoiding repetitive work
But why stop there?
Take your design workflow to the next level with our Elementor Addon Elements plugin, a powerful collection of 60+ widgets & extensions like, all fully compatible with Elementor templates.
