Find And Replace Didn’t Work

Find/replace works only on the database. If your content is in the theme or plugins, it won’t be replaced.
The other option is that the content is stored not as a plain string in the database but in some other format like base64 so it is not found when you search for it.

Thanks for your reply.

Find/replace works only on the database.

Yes, I understand this part.

The other option is that the content is stored not as a plain string in the database but in some other format like base64 so it is not found when you search for it.

I can’t speak to this other than report that I’m trying to find and replace URLs in pages and posts which were created in the regular WordPress interface.

I’m moving my entire testing operation to another host to rule the host in or out as the source of the problem. Perhaps that will help.

If the data is in the database, it should be replaced.
The only reason why the data is not replaced is if the string you have entered somehow does not match the target. Hosting should play a role.
If it is not sensitive, can you list the term you are searching for, what you are replacing it with, and what is the content of the post that you are replacing?

I moved the test account to a 2nd host. No difference, All In One still won’t do find and replace.

I do an export, with two find and replace operations. Then I import that file back in.

I’m clearing my browser cache and relaunching Chrome after each attempt.

In case I didn’t make it clear, I’m trying to change a couple URLs across an entire site, about 200 posts and pages. So for example…

FIND: https://nuke-ban.org/
REPLACE WITH: https://nuke-ban.com/

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I just tested on the new server using another find/replace plugin. Doesn’t work either.

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So maybe the database is the problem? I guess all that’s left is to start again from scratch. Create a new install of WP, and import the XML file again. My real site is on WordPress.com and the only way to export the data from there is via the XML file they provide.

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If that doesn’t work then I guess it’s time to face the fact that I just wasted 6 months building a site in WordPress.

I found one mistake I was making, searching for a URL that begins with https:// when it should have been https:// When I run the find/replace again with correct data I think it works, except…

When ever I click on one of the new links it brings up an Internal Server Error, thus killing most of the site. Luckily it’s a test site that can be discarded if needed.

Another find and replace, very carefully inspected, still does not work.

Next step, fresh install of WordPress, and a fresh import of the XML file from WordPress.com. If that doesn’t help it seems I’m out of options.

Not that this helps, but FYI, I’ve been building sites for 25 years and have coded my own CMS from scratch. This is the first time I’ve seen something as simple as a find and replace turn in to a major operation. Best I can tell, the underlying problem is WordPress’s use of mySQL as the data storage medium, which seems to complicate such simple matters as find and replace beyond reason.

Ok, I found a solution. I’m bailing on WordPress. That should work! ??

Thanks for your replies, and good luck with your projects. I admire and applaud the “simple is beautiful” design of your plugin, but regrettably it’s attached to a CMS that is too unreliable to merit any more of my time.

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