Drupal is one of the most popular open-source content management systems (CMS) available, used by businesses and organizations worldwide for creating and managing digital content. In 2020, the Drupal community announced the end of life for Drupal 7 and 8, which means they will no longer receive official support or updates. Therefore, we have found that it’s essential for our clients who are using Drupal 7 to migrate to Drupal 8 or 9 to ensure the security and functionality of their websites.
In this article we provide a comprehensive guide for migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8, covering the necessary steps, tools, and best practices to ensure a smooth transition.
Preparing for Migration
Before you start the migration process, it’s essential to prepare your site and gather all the necessary information.
a. Backup your Drupal 7 site: Ensure you have a complete backup of your Drupal 7 site, including the database, files, and custom code.
b. Audit your site: Make a list of all the modules, themes, and custom code used on your Drupal 7 site. Identify which modules and themes have a Drupal 8 equivalent, and which ones will need to be replaced or custom developed.
c. Install a fresh Drupal 8 site: Set up a new Drupal 8 site where you will migrate your Drupal 7 content.
b. Audit your site: Make a list of all the modules, themes, and custom code used on your Drupal 7 site. Identify which modules and themes have a Drupal 8 equivalent, and which ones will need to be replaced or custom developed.
c. Install a fresh Drupal 8 site: Set up a new Drupal 8 site where you will migrate your Drupal 7 content.
Migrating Content and Configuration
Drupal 8 includes a migration module in the core, which provides tools for migrating content and configuration from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8.
a. Enable Migration Modules: Enable the Migrate, Migrate Drupal, and Migrate Drupal UI modules on your Drupal 8 site.
b. Configure Migration: Go to ‘/upgrade’ on your Drupal 8 site and follow the instructions to configure the migration. You will need to provide the database credentials for your Drupal 7 site.
c. Perform Migration: Start the migration process. The Migrate Drupal UI module will provide a user interface for running the migration. You can also run the migration using Drush commands.
b. Configure Migration: Go to ‘/upgrade’ on your Drupal 8 site and follow the instructions to configure the migration. You will need to provide the database credentials for your Drupal 7 site.
c. Perform Migration: Start the migration process. The Migrate Drupal UI module will provide a user interface for running the migration. You can also run the migration using Drush commands.
Migrating Custom Code
Custom code, such as custom modules and themes, will need to be manually migrated to Drupal 8.
a. Update Custom Modules: Update your custom modules to be compatible with Drupal 8. The Drupal API has undergone significant changes from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8, so you may need to rewrite portions of your custom modules.
b. Update Custom Themes: Update your custom themes to be compatible with Drupal 8. The theming system in Drupal 8 has changed from PHPTemplate to Twig, so you will need to update your templates accordingly.
b. Update Custom Themes: Update your custom themes to be compatible with Drupal 8. The theming system in Drupal 8 has changed from PHPTemplate to Twig, so you will need to update your templates accordingly.
Testing and Quality Assurance
After migrating your content, configuration, and custom code, it’s essential to thoroughly test your site to ensure everything is working as expected.
a. Test Content and Functionality: Verify that all your content, including nodes, users, and taxonomy terms, have been migrated correctly. Check that all the functionality of your site, such as views, blocks, and forms, are working as expected.
b. Test Custom Code: Verify that your custom modules and themes are working as expected on the Drupal 8 site.
c. Test Performance: Test the performance of your Drupal 8 site to ensure it meets your requirements. You may need to optimize the configuration of your site or server to achieve the desired performance.
b. Test Custom Code: Verify that your custom modules and themes are working as expected on the Drupal 8 site.
c. Test Performance: Test the performance of your Drupal 8 site to ensure it meets your requirements. You may need to optimize the configuration of your site or server to achieve the desired performance.
Launching Your Site
Once you have completed the migration and thoroughly tested your site, you are ready to launch your Drupal 8 site.
a. Update DNS Records: Update your DNS records to point to the new Drupal 8 site.
b. Monitor Site: Monitor your site closely after launch to ensure everything is working as expected and to address any issues that may arise.
b. Monitor Site: Monitor your site closely after launch to ensure everything is working as expected and to address any issues that may arise.
We know migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps we outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth transition to Drupal 8 and enjoy the benefits of the latest version of the Drupal CMS.
