Overview

Config Entity Exporter is a Drupal module that provides a streamlined approach to configuration management by enabling users to export and import selected configuration entities using a single JSON file.

Drupal’s Configuration Synchronization system exports configuration into multiple YAML files. While this approach is powerful and essential for full-site synchronization, it can become complex when working with specific configuration items, sharing configurations across projects, or performing targeted migrations.

This module simplifies the workflow by offering a focused and user-friendly mechanism to handle selected configurations without the overhead of managing multiple files.

Key Features

Export selected configuration entities into a single JSON file
Import configurations into another Drupal instance using the same JSON file
Supports multiple configuration types:
- Content Types (including fields and display configurations)
- Blocks
- Views
- Taxonomy vocabularies
- Menus
Clean and intuitive user interface for selecting configurations
Reduces complexity compared to managing multiple YAML files
Improves productivity in multi-environment workflows

Usage

Navigate to the Config Exporter interface from the Drupal administration menu
Select the configuration items to export
Download the generated JSON file
Go to the target Drupal site
Upload the JSON file via the import interface
Import and apply the configurations
Verify all configurations are applied correctly

Use Cases

Moving specific configurations between environments (development, staging, production)
Sharing reusable configuration setups across multiple projects
Replicating content type structures and related configurations
Simplifying workflows for developers and site builders
Reducing manual configuration effort and setup time

Advantages

Focused on selective configuration management
Single-file export improves portability and collaboration
Minimizes the need to handle multiple YAML files
Provides a simpler workflow for both developers and non-technical users

Limitations

Not intended to replace Drupal’s full Configuration Synchronization system
Designed for selective export and import, not full configuration deployment
Complex configuration dependencies may require manual verification

Future Scope

Support for additional configuration entity types
Enhanced validation during import
Dependency handling and conflict resolution
Improved user interface and feedback mechanisms

Config Exporter