How can I import a complete template into an existing Webflow project that already has CMS hosting set up?

You can’t directly import a full Webflow template into an existing project, especially one with CMS hosting already set up, since Webflow doesn’t support merging templates or projects. However, you can manually transfer elements from a template to your existing project.

1. Understand Webflow Template Limitations

• Webflow does not allow you to apply a template to an existing project.
• Templates can only be used when you create a new project.
• Copying entire CMS collections or complex interactions is not fully automated between projects.

2. Create a New Project Using the Template

• Buy or clone the desired template from the Webflow template marketplace.
• This will create a new standalone project with its own pages, CMS content (if any), styles, and components.

3. Manually Copy Elements to Your Existing Project

• Open both the template project and your existing project in separate browser tabs.
• Use Webflow’s Copy-Paste feature:
• Select a section, component, or page element in the template.
• Press Cmd/Ctrl+C, then switch to the existing project and press Cmd/Ctrl+V.
• Webflow will transfer styles and assets with the selected element automatically.
• You may need to relink or recreate CMS bindings manually after pasting.

4. Recreate or Transfer CMS Collections

• Use Webflow’s CMS export/import tool:
• In the template project, go to CMS Collections and Export as CSV.
• In your existing project, Import CSV into a new or existing collection.
• Set up corresponding fields in advance to prevent mismatches.
• Images and rich media must be downloaded and manually re-uploaded, as they aren’t included in CSV exports.

5. Recreate Interactions and Symbols

• Interactions (e.g., page transitions, scroll effects) must be manually recreated, as they don’t always transfer via copy-paste.
• Symbols (components reused across pages) can be copied similarly, but any site-wide elements (like a navbar or footer) may need adjustments to preserve consistency with your site's design system.

6. Match Global Styles and Classes

• Ensure that color swatches, fonts, and global classes align across the two projects.
• Be cautious of class name conflicts — Webflow will append “-2” to avoid duplication, which may require cleanup.

Summary

Webflow doesn’t allow full templates to be applied to existing projects with CMS hosting, but you can manually transfer sections, CMS content, and styles from a template by using copy-paste and CMS import tools. While this requires manual effort, it’s the only way to integrate template content into an existing project.