Webflow's persistent CMS IDs: a backup dream come true (especially for PowerImporter users!)

What changed?

Previously, restoring a Webflow site backup was a double-edged sword. While it allowed you to revert to a previous version, it also meant resetting all CMS collection and item IDs. This extended to Ecommerce, Page, and Asset IDs as well. The problem? These IDs are often crucial for API connections that power various website functionalities. Restoring a backup meant potentially breaking those connections, requiring tedious reconfiguration.

The benefits for all Webflow users

With persistent CMS IDs, this worry is a thing of the past, but it's important to note this applies to backups going forward. Now, when you create a new site backup and restore it later, the IDs for your CMS collections, items, Ecommerce products, pages, and assets will remain unchanged. This translates to a seamless restoration process. You can restore your site with confidence, knowing that existing API connections won't be disrupted. It's a significant improvement that saves you time and frustration!

The PowerImporter advantage

This update is particularly beneficial for PowerImporter users. PowerImporter seamlessly syncs your data between Webflow CMS and external sources like Airtable, WordPress and CSV files. However, the previous behavior of resetting IDs during backups could break these syncs. If you ever reverted to a backup, intentionally or not, a full resync was often required (and trust us, we were sorry about this!).

No more full resyncs!

With persistent IDs, PowerImporter's syncs become even more robust. When you restore a new backup (one created after this update), your data connections with PowerImporter remain intact. This eliminates the need for full resyncs after a backup restore, saving you even more time and effort.

Important to Note:

If you restore a historical backup, created before this update, your CMS, Ecommerce, Page, and Asset IDs will still reset. It's always a good practice to double-check your backup date before restoring.

The Takeaway

Webflow's persistent CMS IDs are a win-win for everyone. Backups going forward are now a more reliable safety net, and PowerImporter users can enjoy even smoother data synchronization. This update allows you to focus on what matters most – creating amazing websites and content!

For more information on this outstanding update by Webflow, check out their page here.