# Migrate a Ning forum to Discourse
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749
**Category:** Migrating to Discourse
**Tags:** how-to
**Created:** [5 september 2016 om 19:16 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749 "2016-09-05T19:16:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)
#### Post date: [5 september 2016 om 19:16 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749/1 "2016-09-05T19:16:20Z")
Want to migrate from Ning to Discourse? Great! Let’s get started.
#### What data can be imported?
- Users
- Avatars
- Directories/Categories
- Topics & Posts
- Images
- Attachments
### Prerequisites
1. Set up Discourse development environment on [macOS](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-install-discourse-on-mac-os-x-for-development/15772), [Ubuntu or Debian](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-install-discourse-on-ubuntu-for-development/14727) or [Windows](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-on-windows-for-development/75149).
2. Clear existing data from your local Discourse instance:
3. Open [Ning import script](https://github.com/discourse/discourse/blob/main/script/import_scripts/ning.rb) in the editor of your choice.
4. Replace `JSON_FILES_DIR` value with the location of your Ning export data.
5. Add/Delete values in `ATTACHMENT_PREFIXES` depending on directories/categories you want to import.
### Perform Import
1. Depending on what directories/categories you want to import, add/delete `import_{entity}` method.
2. Start import process:
3. Wait until the import is done. You can restart the process if it slows down to a crawl.
4. Start your Discourse instance: `bundle exec rails server`
5. Take backup of the data and upload it to on your production site by following [this howto](https://meta.discourse.org/t/move-your-discourse-instance-to-a-different-server/15721).
* * *
Congratulations! You have successfully migrated your site from Ning to Discourse! 🎉
> Last edited by @JammyDodger 2024-05-27T14:56:51Z
>
> > **Check document**
> >
> > Perform check on document:
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### Author:  [@Frank\_Bailey](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Frank_Bailey)
#### Post date: [5 december 2017 om 11:34 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749/2 "2017-12-05T11:34:01Z")
This guide looks very useful for people who’ve used Vagrant to get Discourse running in their environment, however is there possibly a chance of getting a guide on how to use the Ning import script in the Docker environment? If I follow this guide I get errors like “Could not locate Gemfile or ./bundle directory” and rake also doesn’t seem to be installed.
Will the ning.rb script even _work_ in the Docker Discourse setup?
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### Author:  [@esugalski](https://meta.discourse.org/u/esugalski)
#### Post date: [30 augustus 2021 om 21:02 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749/3 "2021-08-30T21:02:55Z")
Hi @techAPJ, I’m replying to a very old post. Are you still out there in the ether?
I am looking to migrate our Ning content over to Discourse. We are using the Discourse Hosted plan. Is this migration still possible, or do we need Discourse to be hosted independently?
I am not a developer and would be looking to contract this migration. Any recommendations on resources that could assist? Thank you!
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### Author:  [@techAPJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/techAPJ)
#### Post date: [31 augustus 2021 om 15:02 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749/4 "2021-08-31T15:02:23Z")
Hi Eric,
> [@esugalski](#):
>
> I am looking to migrate our Ning content over to Discourse. We are using the Discourse Hosted plan. Is this migration still possible
Absolutely, it’s possible.
I see you just emailed our team regarding the migration. Someone from our community team will reply you there ASAP. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Jaybird\_Farrow](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Jaybird_Farrow)
#### Post date: [25 november 2022 om 21:40 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/migrate-a-ning-forum-to-discourse/49749/5 "2022-11-25T21:40:52Z")
I would like to speak with migration team as well…