CMS Data Relay moves content in and out of your Framer CMS. Import a CSV or JSON file, export your collections, or keep a redesign in step with your live site. Every import shows the changes first, and nothing is written until you apply them.
Getting started · Import · Export · Sync · Undo · Free and Pro · Questions · Limits · Privacy · Support
Getting started
- In Framer, open Plugins and run CMS Data Relay. You can also open it from a collection in the CMS view. It then starts with that collection selected.
- Choose Import, Export, or Sync.
You don’t need an account. Import, Export, and reviewing a sync are free. See Free and Pro.
Import a file
Import adds new items, updates existing ones, or creates a new collection.
- Choose a file. Use a CSV (UTF-8), a JSON file, or a Relay data file (
.relay.json). Files can be up to 20 MB. - Choose where it goes. Pick a collection, or choose Create a new collection.
- Match columns. Each column in the file is matched to a field. The plugin matches columns by name and guesses the type for a new collection. You can change any match. Don’t import skips the column. Create new field adds a field to the collection, and you confirm it before anything is written. Match items by sets how rows find existing items. The default is the slug.
- Review changes. See every item that will be added, updated, or removed. Open a row to see the value before and after.
- Apply changes. Check the summary and confirm.
How items are matched
- Rows with the same slug as an existing item update that item.
- Rows with a new slug are added.
- If the file has no slug column, every row is added as a new item. Slugs are created from the title. When a row looks like an item you already have, the review marks it Looks like an existing item.
- Items that aren’t in the file are kept. With Pro, you can choose Also remove items that aren’t in the source.
Values the plugin can convert
| Field type | Accepted values |
|---|---|
| Text | Anything |
| Formatted text | HTML. Plain text becomes paragraphs. Markdown is imported as plain text. |
| Number | 12, 12.5, 1,234 |
| Toggle | true / false, yes / no, 1 / 0, on / off |
| Date | 2026-10-23, 2026/10/23, or ISO 8601. Dates like 01/02/2026 are not read, because the order of day and month is unclear. |
| Link | Addresses that start with https://, http://, mailto:, or tel: |
| Color | #rgb, #rrggbb, rgb(), rgba() |
| Option | The option’s name. A new name adds an option after you confirm it. |
| Image, File | A public https:// URL. Framer copies the file into your project. |
| Reference | The slug or title of the referenced item |
| Multi-reference | Slugs or titles separated by , or ; |
When a value can’t be converted, the row shows a warning. A new item leaves that field empty. An existing item keeps its current value. After applying, choose Download report to get a CSV of the values that weren’t imported. To leave out those rows entirely, choose Skip rows with warnings.
Files from Excel
Excel’s default CSV may not be UTF-8. Choose File, Save As, then CSV UTF-8, and import that file. Japanese and other non-English text imports correctly in UTF-8.
Export
- Choose Export.
- Select collections, or choose Select all.
- Choose a format. CSV gives one file per collection and is best for spreadsheets. Several collections download as a ZIP. JSON gives an item array you can import again. Relay data includes IDs, references, image URLs, and fields. Use it to move content to another project or to keep a backup. Collections that the selected collections reference are included automatically.
- Choose Include drafts if you want draft items too, then Download.
Sync a redesign with your live site
Use Sync when you build a redesign in a separate project while the live site keeps getting new content.
In the live site project
- Open Sync and choose This is the live site. The choice is saved for the project.
- Select the collections and choose Send to redesign.
In the redesign project
- Open Sync and choose This is the redesign.
- Pick the update under Received updates and choose Review selected update.
- Check the field matches, then choose Review changes and Apply changes.
Fields are matched by ID when the redesign was made by duplicating the live site, so renamed fields still match. Items are matched by their original ID, then by slug. Images are matched too, so unchanged images are not copied again.
Different computer or browser? Sent updates are kept in this browser only (the last 3, for 30 days). On another computer, choose Download Relay file in the live site project, then Load a Relay file in the redesign.
Undo
After applying, press Cmd+Z (Ctrl+Z on Windows) in Framer once. It undoes the whole apply, even a large one. If you’ve done other work since, Cmd+Z undoes that work first.
Free and Pro
| Free | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Export (CSV, JSON, Relay data) | Yes | Yes |
| Import: add items, create collections and fields, review changes | Yes | Yes |
| Import: update existing items | Up to 20 per apply | Unlimited |
| Import: remove items not in the file | No | Yes |
| Remember column matches | No | Yes |
| Sync: send, and review what you received | Yes | Yes |
| Sync: apply | No | Yes |
Pro is a one-time purchase of $29. There’s no subscription.
Activate Pro
- Choose Get Pro in the plugin. Payment is handled by Polar. Your license key is shown after purchase and sent by email.
- In the plugin, open Settings (the gear icon), paste the key, and choose Activate.
A key works on up to 3 devices. To move it to another computer, choose Deactivate on this device in Settings first. The plugin checks the key about once a week. Pro keeps working offline for up to 14 days.
Questions
Does my content leave my computer? No. Your CMS content is never sent anywhere. The plugin connects to the internet only to check your license key with Polar. See Privacy.
Will an import publish my drafts? No. Drafts stay drafts and published items stay published, unless the file has a Draft column.
Can I import local images? Not yet. Images need a public URL. Framer copies each image into your project when you apply.
Why are new fields not on my page? New fields are added to the collection only. Connect them to your design on the canvas.
Framer stopped my import. Your Framer plan limits the number of CMS items. The plugin tells you how many items were applied. Upgrade the plan or remove items, then import again.
Can I import Markdown? Markdown is imported as plain text in this version. Convert it to HTML first to keep the formatting.
Limits in this version
- Markdown isn’t converted.
- Local image and file folders can’t be imported. Use URLs.
- Gallery fields support one image per item.
- Localized values aren’t imported or exported.
- Sync runs only when you open the plugin. There is no automatic sync.
Privacy
The plugin reads and writes your CMS inside Framer only. Your CMS content is never sent to H:Shift Works or anyone else. The only network request is the license check with Polar, which sends your license key and a device label. The key is stored in the plugin’s own storage in your browser, not in your project. Sync updates are also kept only in your browser. For the full policy, see the Privacy Policy.
Support
Contact us through the contact form. Include what you were doing and, if you can, the Download report file or a screenshot. Never send your full license key. The last 4 characters are enough.
Your use of the plugin is covered by the CMS Data Relay Licence. Refunds follow our Refund Policy. Purchases are processed by Polar Software, Inc. as the merchant of record.