Cloning information blocks and trade catalogs

What this solution does

The module allows creating a complete independent copy of an information block in a few clicks. The copy includes all properties, sections, elements, files, SEO settings, and trade catalog data.

This tool is useful for creating new catalogs, news sections, or reference directories based on existing templates. It is also suitable for preparing safe test copies before making changes and for duplicating structure to other sites in a multi-site configuration. The module can copy a trade catalog along with prices and trade offers.

The created copy is fully isolated from the original: any changes or deletions in the source block do not affect the copy. The source information block is never modified or deleted by the module.

Users can choose the scope of copying: settings only, settings with properties, section structure, or all content including elements, files, and SEO data. When copying, the main information block parameters, access rights, URL templates, signatures, field settings, and edit forms are preserved. All main property types are transferred, including lists (options are recreated with value mapping), HTML, dates, links to elements and sections, and dictionaries. Smart filter settings and property functions are also transferred to the new copy.

The module provides full cloning of information blocks and trade catalogs while preserving the entire data structure.

It supports the transfer of sections at any nesting depth along with descriptions, images, and custom fields, including list variants. Elements are copied completely: dates, authors, summaries, detailed descriptions, tags, multiple section bindings, and all property values, including multiple properties and those with descriptions.

Files and images are physically copied with original filenames preserved, including names in Cyrillic. SEO templates for the information block, sections, and elements are retained.

Internal links are automatically remapped: links to elements and sections within the cloned information block point to objects in the new copy rather than the original.

When cloning a trade catalog, a new catalog is registered. Product parameters, all price types, unit of measure coefficients, warehouse stock levels (optional), and product offers with correct binding to the copied products are transferred.

A check without creating a copy is available: the system analyzes data volumes, identifies errors and warnings, determines properties that cannot be transferred, and verifies file availability.

Step-by-step copying with a progress indicator is implemented. The solution is suitable for information blocks containing tens of thousands of elements and for operation on standard virtual hosting. The process can be paused and resumed, including after a connection loss, without creating duplicates.

The module provides one-click cleanup of incomplete copies of information blocks and trade catalogs if the copying process is cancelled or interrupted by an error. A detailed operation history log is maintained with automatic removal of old records. Access to the module is restricted by user groups.

The system requires 1C-Bitrix: Site Management with the Information Blocks module (version 20.5.0 or higher), PHP 8.2–8.3, and a MySQL or MariaDB database. PostgreSQL is not supported.

The module does not require cron jobs, third-party services, or additional partner modules. The source code is fully open, contains no encoded parts, and includes no built-in purchases or paid external services.

Copying is performed only within a single site installation. Transfer between different installations is not supported.

When copying trade catalogs, discounts, coupons, and cart rules are not copied. The composition of sets and kits is not copied (such items become simple products in the copy). Barcodes, reservations, and orders are not copied. Properties linked to Disk files, CRM objects, or forum topics are not copied, nor are properties whose handler modules are not installed. Skipped properties are marked with a warning.

When cloning information blocks and trade catalogs, access rights to individual sections and items in extended mode, business process templates, document workflow history, view counters, and ratings are not copied.

After copying, the facet index of the copy must be recreated using standard system tools.

There is no atomic rollback: if the operation is cancelled, the already created data is retained, and an incomplete copy can be removed manually using the Clear incomplete copy button.

If “Cloning information blocks and trade catalogs” is required, General iT can help with installation, configuration and a technical check after integration.