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 in a target site. When trying to import elements that exist in the target site in BUI, following message is received:

"This item already exists on the site" - with option to overwrite and proceed with the import process or an option to cancel the import process.

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, “the item already exists on the site” 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.

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: