Can I use Element Manager to transfer and update existing items? 

Environment:

Browser User Interface (BUI), Element Manager

Issue:

Element manager allows users to transfer and update existing elements, if not redundant, in a target site. When trying to import elements that exist in the target site in BUI, the following messages are received:

"Item Exists and will be overwritten if not redundant" - with option to overwrite and proceed with the import process or an option to cancel the import process.

"The exact item already exists and is not deployed" - will be displayed against unchanged dependent elements in the import. 

Resolution:

Element manager now (19C onwards) supports overwrite of existing elements in the target site. [This capability is not available on certain restricted Pods (like Government, PC pods). However, sites on these pods will soon be able to leverage the overwrite capability. Sites on these pods, will continue to export and import new elements only, like they have been already.]

Element manager during the import of existing elements, provides a warning message like, “Item Exists and will be overwritten if not redundant” and allows users to proceed ahead to overwrite and deploy the package. During this process, Element manager takes a backup of existing elements and allows user to rollback to the immediate previous version only, if required, after the deployment.  Any item referencing the element being overwritten should now reference the new imported one.

For more details about the elements which are available for import/export in Element Manager, see Answer ID 11002: Element Manager current capabilities. The elements which are supported for overwrite are:

To learn how to use Element Manager please read documentation:  Element Manager Overview