Migrating Content Formatting Macros for Confluence to the Cloud- A customer success view

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As a Customer Success Manager at Kolekti, I've guided numerous organisations through the process of migrating their Confluence instances from Data Center to Cloud. One of the most common concerns during this transition is the fate of content formatting macros. In this article, I'll share some insights on how to approach this migration, with a particular focus on content formatting macros and how your Customer Success Manager (CSM) can support you throughout the journey.

1. Understanding the Differences

The first step in any migration is understanding the differences between your current Data Center environment and the Cloud environment. For content formatting macros, it's crucial to note that not all macros available in Data Center have direct equivalents in Cloud. One of the biggest concerns I come across is for customers who have been nesting macros - this is not supported in the new cloud editor, although they will work in legacy. Your CSM and app provider can provide a comprehensive list of macros supported in both environments, helping you identify potential gaps early in the process.

2. Assessing Your Current Usage

Before migration, it's essential to conduct a thorough assessment of your current macro usage. You can run reports to identify which macros are in use across your Confluence spaces and pages. This information is vital for planning your migration strategy and identifying potential challenges.

3. Planning for Macro Migration

Once you have a clear picture of your macro usage, it's time to plan the migration. Will you use the migration tool or are you thinking or creating some spaces with the new cloud features available? Your CSM can assist in creating a detailed migration plan, which may include:

• Identifying direct equivalents for Data Center macros in Cloud

• Finding alternative solutions for macros not supported in Cloud

4. Testing and Validation

Before full migration, it's crucial to test the migration process with one space of your content. You can set up a test environment and your CSM can work with you through the process of validating the migrated content, ensuring that formatting macros are working as expected in the Cloud environment.

5. Handling Unsupported Macros

For macros that don't have direct Cloud equivalents, your CSM can suggest alternative approaches. This might involve:

• Using native Cloud features to replicate macro functionality

• Check out some of the new cloud-only macros to see if they can solve the problem. We put together this guide to help content creators understand some of the changes Content Formatting Macros Cloud Migration guide

• Ask for an enhancement request - customer requirements are always looked at by the team for future developments 

6. Training and Change Management

A successful migration isn't just about moving content; it's also about ensuring your team can effectively use the new environment. Your CSM can provide training resources and best practices for using content formatting features in Confluence Cloud, helping to smooth the transition for your users. People naturally fear change and often need to see that there is a benefit to them to work differently - we can help show how to work more efficiently.

7. Post-Migration Support

After the migration, your CSM remains a valuable resource. They can help you:

• Troubleshoot any issues with migrated content

• Optimise your use of Cloud formatting features

• Stay informed about new features and capabilities in Confluence Cloud & your apps

• Offer update sessions for users and training resources

8. Continuous Improvement

The migration to Cloud is an opportunity to reassess and improve your content strategy. Your CSM can provide insights on Cloud features and best practices that can enhance your content creation and management processes.

Conclusion

Migrating content formatting macros from Confluence Data Center to Cloud can seem daunting, but with the right approach and support, it can be a smooth process that opens up new possibilities for your team. Your Customer Success Manager is there to guide you every step of the way, from initial planning to post-migration optimisation.

Remember, the goal isn't just to replicate your Data Center environment in the Cloud, but to leverage the unique capabilities of Confluence Cloud to enhance your team's collaboration and productivity. With the right strategy and support, your migration can be a catalyst for positive change in your organization. After all when you move house you do not just simply box everything and take it with you to try and recreate the same look - you take it as an opportunity to remove clutter, tidy and improve. 

If you are ready to make the move and want help please do not hesitate to reach out to me