The document discusses migrating content into Drupal using the migrate module, focusing on methods such as manual migration, custom scripts, and the use of feeds. It provides an overview of implementation, including setting up source, destination, and field mappings, as well as the importance of various hooks and classes within the framework. Additionally, it outlines best practices for handling different data types and references to ensure successful content migration.

1. Move into Drupal using
the Migrate Module
NYC Camp 2012
Ashok Modi (BTMash)

2. Agenda
● Introduction to Migrate
● Theory
● Implementation
○ Hooks
○ Classes
■ Migration
■ Handlers
■ Alterations
● Commands / Demo (Time Permitting)
● Q & A (Conclusion)

3. Thanks
● Mike Ryan (mikeryan)
○ http://drupal.org/user/4420
● Moshe Weitzman (moshe weitzman)
○ http://drupal.org/user/23
● Frank Carey
○ http://drupal.org/user/112063
● Andrew Morton (drewish)
○ http://drupal.org/user/34869

4. Introduction to Migrate - Options
● What are your options to bring content over into Drupal?
○ By Hand
■ Very time consuming.
■ Not feasible if you have a 'lot' of content.
● If you really don't like who you work with.
○ Custom Scripts
■ Might be ok as a 'one-off' solution.
■ As flexible as you want.
■ Write out drush plugins/web ui.
■ Tracking?
■ Integration into your source?

5. Introduction to Migrate - Options
Feeds
● Absolutely great option.
● Easy to setup.
● Maps fields from source -> destination
● Can Import RSS / Atom / Various Feeds
○ Plugins for CSV, Database, even LDAP
● Well documented.
● Performance issues.
● Content update handling.
● Doesn't work well wrt references from other
content (types).

6. Introduction to Migrate
● Powerful object oriented framework for moving content
into Drupal.
● Already defined many import sources.
○ XML, JSON, CSV, DB, etc.
● Support to migrate into various types of content.
○ users, nodes, comments, taxonomy, all core entities.
○ can define your own import handler.
○ can import into a particular table!
● Fast.
● Minimal UI, mainly steered around drush.
● Drush integration.
● Steep Learning Curve.
○ You will write code.

8. Introduction to Migrate
● Drupal 6 requires autoload and dbtng
modules. So the code is very similar in 6 and
7.
● Migrate Extras provides support for many
contrib modules.
○ Provides base class for importing to entities from
EntityAPI.
○ More field modules implementing field handlers.
● The most comprehensive and up-to-date
documentation is the beer.inc and wine.inc
examples.
○ Part of the Migrate module.

9. Goal
Source Destination
sid content_id(auto)
title title
user uid
field1 field1
field2 field2
... ...
fieldN fieldN

10. Source
● Interface to your current set of data (csv,
json, xml, db, etc).
● Provides a list of fields.
● Responsible for iterating over the rows of
data.

11. Destination
● Responsible for saving specific type of
content to Drupal (user, node, row in a
particular table)
● Each Source record correlates to one
Destination record.

12. Field Mappings
● Links a source field to destination field.
● Basic functions such as splitting into an
array based on separators, etc.
● Can pass additional arguments (as the field
handler implements).

13. Mapping (goal)
Source Destination
sid content_id(auto)
title Mapping title
user Mapping (alter and reference) uid
field1 field1
field2 field2
field3 ...
field4 fieldN
...
fieldN

14. Map
● Connects the source and destination IDs
allowing for translation between them.
● Tracks keys schema format.
● Allows for migration to re-run and update
existing records.
● Allows imported records to be deleted.
● Allows you to reference the ID from another
migration for to get converted for your own
migration.

15. Migration Map
Source Destination
sid Map Table content_id(auto)
title Mapping title
user Mapping (alter and reference) uid
field1 field1
field2 field2
field3 ...
field4 fieldN
...
fieldN

16. Migration
● Sets up all the necessary pieces: Source,
Destination, Map, Field Mappings.
● May provide logic for skipping over rows
during migration.
● May alter the Source Data during the
migration.
● May alter the Destination Entities during the
Migration.

17. Field Handler
● Converts your source data into a format that
Drupal understands.
● $row->bar = array('foo', 'bar') into
$entity_field_bar = array(
'und' => array(
0 => array('value' => 'foo'),
1 => array('value' => 'bar'),
),
);

18. Destination Handler
● Extends existing destinations and adds
additional functionality.
○ MigrateCommentNodeHandler provides the option to
allow for comments to a given node.
● Contrib projects might want to create these.
○ Flag?

19. Field Handler
Source Destination
sid Map Table content_id(auto)
title Mapping title (text)
user Mapping (alter and reference) uid
field1 field1 (text)
field2 field2 (image)
field3 ...
field4 fieldN (tags)
...
fieldN

20. Implementation
● Let Migrate know about your module (hook).
● Build a migration class.
○ Provide a description.
○ Give it information about where the content is coming from (Source).
○ Give it information about where the content is going to get saved
(Destination).
○ Map the fields from the source into the destination (Map).
○ (optional) Massage the data / add any fields you were not able to get
in the initial mapping.
○ (optional) Add / massage any data that does not have field handlers
before the content gets saved.
● Register class file in .info file.

21. Implementation - Hooks
● Just one :)
○ Provide the API version number (currently at 2)
function my_migrate_module_migrate_api() {
return array(
'api' => 2,
);
}
● Might change to 3/4/5...N in the future ;)

22. Implementation - Class
● Consists of at least 1 function and 3 optional
functions.
class MYBundleMigration extends Migration {
public function __construct() { ... } # REQ'D.
public function prepareRow($row)
public function prepare($entity, $row)
public function complete($entity, $row)
}

23. Import Flow
● Source iterates until it finds an appropriate record.
● Calls prepareRow($row) letting you modify or reject the
data in $row.
● Migration applies the Mappings and Field Handlers to
convert $row into $entity.
● Migrate calls on prepare($entity, $row) to modify the
entity before it gets saved.
● Entity is saved.
● Migrate records the IDs into the map and calls
complete() so you can see and work with the final Entity
ID.

24. Implementation - __construct()
● Set up the source, destination, map, field
mappings in constructor.
class MyBundleMigration extends Migration {
public function __construct() {
parent::__construct();
$this->source = <my_source>;
$this->destination = <my_destination>;
$this->map = <my_map>;
$this->addFieldMapping($my_dest_fld, $my_src_fld);
}
}

25. Implementation - __construct()
Source Fields
● Lets Migration class know a little about the
fields that are coming in (like compound
fields).
● Can set it to an array if nothing complex.
$source_fields = array(
'mtid' => 'The source row ID',
'compound_field_1' => 'Field not from inital
query but will be necessary later on.'
);

26. Implementation - __construct()
Source (Current Database)
// Required
$query = db_select('my_table', 'mt');
$query->fields('mt', array('mtid', 'style', 'details', 'updated',
'style_parent', 'style_image'));
$query->join('mt_extras', 'mte', 'mt.mtid = mte.mtid');
$query->orderBy('mt.updated', 'ASC');
// Implement a count_query if it is different. Or set to NULL.
$this->source = new MigrateSourceSQL($query,
$source_fields, $count_query);

27. Implementation - __construct()
Source (External Database)
// Using another db connection called 'for_migration'.
$connection = Database::getConnection('for_migration');
$query = $connection->select('my_table', 'mt');
$query->fields('mt', array('mtid', 'style', 'details', 'updated',
'style_parent', 'style_image'));
$query->orderBy('mt.updated', 'ASC');
// Implement a count_query if it is different. Or set to NULL.
$this->source = new MigrateSourceSQL($query,
$source_fields, $count_query,
array('map_joinable' => FALSE'));
● Lets migrate know there is no easy way to map the IDs.

28. Implementation - __construct()
Source (CSV File)
// The definition of the columns. Keys are integers
// values are an array of: field name then description.
$columns = array(
0 => array('cvs_uid', 'Id'),
1 => array('email', 'Email'),
2 => array('name', 'Name'),
3 => array('date', 'Date'),
);
$this->source = new MigrateSourceCSV("path/to/file.csv",
$columns, array('header_rows' => TRUE),
$this->fields());

29. Implementation - __construct()
Source (Other Sources)
● Comes with base source migration classes
to migrate from JSON, XML, File Directories.
● Expect to make some changes depending
on the migration format.

30. Source Base Classes
● If you have source IDs referenced separately from your
values.
○ Use MigrateSourceList as a source.
○ Implement MigrateList for fetching counts and IDs, and MigrateItem for
fetching values.
● If everything is in a single file with IDs mixed in:
○ Use MigrateSourceMultiItems as a source.
○ Implement MigrateItems for extracting IDs and values.
● Look at http://drupal.org/node/1152152, http://drupal.
org/node/1152154, and http://drupal.org/node/1152156
for clearer examples.

31. Implementation - __construct()
Migration Map
$this->map = new MigrateSQLMap($this->machineName,
// Describe your primary ID schema
array(
'mtid' => array(
'type' => 'integer',
'unsigned' => TRUE,
'not null' => TRUE,
'alias' => 'mt'
),
),
MigrateDestinationNode::getKeySchema()
);

32. Implementation - __construct()
Highwater
● May have noticed orderby on sql queries.
● Migrate feature to figure out if a piece of
content can be updated rather than inserted
just once.
● Need to let migrate know which column
contains the highwater data.
$this->highwaterField = array(
'name' => 'updated',
'alias' => 'mt',
);

33. Implementation - __construct()
Destination
// Terms
$this->destination = new MigrateDestinationTerm('site_vocabulary');
// Nodes
$this->destination = new MigrateDestinationNode('articles');
// Users
$this->destination = new MigrateDestinationUser();
// Contrib - Commerce Products
$this->destination = new MigrateDestinationEntity('commerce_product');

34. Implementation - __construct()
Field Mapping
// Can be simple.
$this->addFieldMapping('dest_name', 'source_name');
// Can be a set value.
$this->addFieldMapping('uid')->defaultValue(1);
// Can have no value (or whatever the system default is)
$this->addFieldMapping('path')->issueGroup('DNM');
// Can be multiple values with a separator.
$this->addFieldMapping('field_tags', 'source_tags')->separator(',');
// Can have arguments
$this->addFieldMapping('field_body', 'description')->arguments($arguments);

35. Implementation - __construct()
Field Mapping (cont'd)
● Most meta settings for fields now also field mappings.
○ $this->addFieldMapping('field_body:teaser', 'teaser_source_field');
○ Implemented for field handlers
via the fields() function in 2.4.
○ Just provide scalar or array!
● 'More' Mapping.
○ Simpler to understand.
● Still some magic.
○ Files mappings still strange.
○ http://drupal.org/node/1540106
○ Create a destination dir for files
as tokens are iffy.
Or migrate via file IDs (easier)

36. Implementation - __construct()
Field Mapping Arguments
● More for contributed modules since Migrate 2.4 core
fields have moved away from this approach.
● Used to pass multiple source fields into a single
destination field (more like 'meta' information).
● As an example, a body field (with summary)
$this->addFieldMapping('body', 'source_body')
->arguments(array(
'summary' => array('source_field' => 'teaser'),
'format' => 1,
));

37. Implementation - __construct()
Field Mapping Arguments (cont'd)
● Use the static argument function if you reuse arguments
with other fields.
● Old Image Mapping Format 1:
$this->addFieldMapping('image', 'source_image')
->arguments(array(
'source_path' => $path,
'alt' => array('source_field' => 'image_alt',
));
● Old Image Mapping Format 2:
$arguments = MigrateFileFieldHandler::arguments(
$path, 'file_copy', FILE_EXISTS_RENAME, NULL,
array('source_field' => 'image_alt'));
$this->addFieldMapping('image', 'source_image')->arguments($arguments);

38. Implementation - __construct()
Field Mapping Source Migrations
● When you have a value from another migration and
need to look up the new ID from the migration map.
○ Content Author
○ References
$this->addFieldMapping('uid', 'author_id') -
>sourceMigration('MyUserMigration');
● Remember to add a dependency :)
○ $this->dependencies = array('MyUserMigration');

39. Implementation - Additional
Processing
● Three ways to insert/modify the imported
data mappings.
○ prepareRow($row)
○ prepare($entity, $row)
○ complete($entity, $row)
● Each one is useful in different
circumstances.

40. Implementation - prepareRow($row)
● Passes in the row from the current source as
an object so you can make modifications.
● Can indicate that a row should be skipped
during import by returning FALSE;
● Add or change field values:
$row->field3 = $row->field4 .' '. $row->field5;
$row->created = strtotime($row->access);
$row->images = array('image1', 'image2');

41. Implementation
prepare($entity, $row)
● Work directly with the entity object that has been
populated with field mappings.
○ Arguments: the entity prior to being saved, the source row.
● Final opportunity for changes before entity gets saved.
● Must save fields in entity field format.
● Use prepare() to populate fields that do not have a field
handler (link, relation, location as examples at time of
writing)
$entity->field_link['und'][0]['value'] = 'http:
//drupal.org/project/migrate';

42. Implementation
complete($entity, $row)
● Called after entity is saved - chance to
update any *other* records that reference
the current entity.
● Don't use it to save the same record again...

43. Implementation - Dealing with
Circular Dependencies
● Implement stubs - (http://drupal.
org/node/1013506)
● Specify a sourceMigration
('NodeBundleMigration') on the ID's field
mapping.
● Add createStub($migration, $source_key) to
NodeBundleMigration which creates an
empty record and returns the record ID.
● Next time NodeBundleMigration runs, it will
update the stub and fill it with proper content.

44. Implementation - Dealing with
Dynamic Migrations
● Some projects (like wordpress migrate /
commerce migrate) will migrate most but not
all content.
● Extend by creating destination migration.
○ Same as regular migration but in __construct you
have to provide type of record and value of record.
■ $this->systemOfRecord = Migration::DESTINATION
■ $this->addFieldMapping('nid','nid')
->sourceMigration('NodeBundleMigration');

45. Implementation - Suggestions
● Separate your file migrations.
○ Migrate 2.4 now has a class to migrate your files
separately.
○ Can retain structure of source file directory.
○ Or not (make up your own) - its just more flexible.
○ Or make multiple file migrations based off your
separate content migrations and have your content
migrations have a dependency on the file migration.

46. Migrate in other contributed
modules
● Creating new types of objects?
○ Write a destination handler.
○ Hopefully, you can implement your object using the
entityapi and extend on the
MigrateDestinationEntityAPI class.
● Create new types of fields?
○ Write a field handler.

47. References
Projects
● http://drupal.org/project/migrate
● http://drupal.org/project/migrate_extras
Drupal -> Drupal Migration Sandboxes
● http://drupal.org/sandbox/mikeryan/1234554
● http://drupal.org/sandbox/btmash/1092900
● http://drupal.org/sandbox/btmash/1492598
Documentation
● http://drupal.org/node/415260
● http://denver2012.drupal.org/program/sessions/getting-
it-drupal-migrate
● http://btmash.com/tags/migrate

48. Demo / Questions / Notes

49. Thank you :)