Import HTML without creating new sections

[Heike Hering]

Hello, we want to create and update documentation pages using the HTML import function. However, we don't want to create new sections with each import, but only new subpages in existing sections. Is that not possible? And why? Kind regards, Heike

[Marc -Devoteam-]

Hi @Heike Hering 

Importing a html file will create a new page.

If you want to update an existing page, then you need to use the Confluence API to update the page

See; api-pages-id-put 

[Heike Hering]

Hello Marc,

Our IT manager does not want to build an API connection here, but would it really be possible to update an existing page (parts or the entire page) using the import HTML function?

[Marc -Devoteam-]

Hi @Heike Hering 

No this can't be done.

Importing using the import option, creates a new page in the space. Import can't be used for updating existing pages.

You can change the HTML parameters in each file created, then it will create a new page every time.

Updating an existing page is from the GUI or use the API.

Confluence is a WIKI system, not a document management system

[Laura Campbell]

Hi @Heike Hering ,

I'm not sure what you mean when you say you don't want to create new "sections" with each import. Do you mean new spaces? The documentation about using the HTML import function mentions the requirement to have space creation permissions, so I assume it creates a new space each time you import. You would need to then move the pages to other spaces as needed (note you need the delete page permission in order to move a page to a different space as Confluence considers you are deleting the page in the original space).

You mention wanting to be able to update documentation pages using the import function; as far as I know you cannot update Confluence pages from the HTML import. When you want to import content into Confluence from elsewhere (Word, Notion, HTML), the idea is then you work on the content in Confluence, and there is no link to the source material.

To help you more, could you explain a bit more what you are trying to achieve with Confluence and importing content?

[Heike Hering]

Hello Laura,

Yes, exactly, I mean spaces (translation error). :)

Let me describe what we have in mind: We have specially programmed programmes, services, etc., which we manage in Git projects. Every time we make a change there, we would like to document the change (using AI to generate text) and transfer this documentation to Confluence for other colleagues with little effort (import as an HTML file). The initial import of the HTML documentation works, but when we then generate new HTML with the project adjustments, the page that has already been created cannot be edited again – neither part of the page nor the entire page can be edited retrospectively via import. At least not again using HTML import. Manual copying is possible, but that is not importing HTML.

By the way, we use the free version of Confluence.

Our goal is to provide our programmers' colleagues with up-to-date documentation that can be managed with little effort.

I suspect that this is not yet technically possible with Confluence, is it? Oh, and we don't want to create a new space with every import; it's only about creating and managing ONE page per programmer project.

Thank you very much in advance! :)