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IHIMS → DHIS2 Metadata Migration (Step-by-Step) Common Tracker Metadata Library

This document explains how to extract metadata from IHIMS and manually import it into a DHIS2 project, one metadata type at a time, using the correct format and order.

1. Export Format (Mandatory)​

✔ Supported format: JSON (DHIS2 Metadata Export)

DHIS2 only accepts JSON for metadata import.

2. Overall Workflow​

IHIMS DHIS2
   ↓
Metadata Export (JSON)
   ↓
Validate / Split JSON
   ↓
Import into Target DHIS2 (Correct Order)

3. Prerequisites​

  • Same or compatible DHIS2 versions (recommended 2.40+)
  • Metadata import permission
  • Access to Maintenance App
  • Test first on staging DHIS2

4. Metadata Import Order (Critical)​

Always follow this order to avoid dependency errors

5. OPTION​

Metadata Types​

  • Option
  • Option Set
  • Option Group
  • Option Group Set

Notes​

  • Used by Data Elements, Program Rules, Attributes
  • Must be imported before Data Elements

6. DATA ELEMENT​

Metadata Types​

  • Data Element
  • Data Element Group
  • Data Element Group Set

Dependencies​

  • Option Set

7. ORGANISATION UNIT​

Metadata Types​

  • Organisation Unit
  • Organisation Unit Level
  • Organisation Unit Group
  • Organisation Unit Group Set

Important​

  • Preserve parent, path, and level
  • Do not modify hierarchy

8. PROGRAM (eRecord / Capture / Tracker / Event)​

Metadata Types​

  • Tracked Entity Type
  • Tracked Entity Attribute
  • Program
  • Program Section
  • Program Stage
  • Program Stage Section
  • Program Indicator
  • Program Indicator Group

Best Practice​

  • Export and import one Program at a time

9. PROGRAM RULE​

Metadata Types​

  • Program Rule Variable
  • Program Rule Action
  • Program Rule

Dependencies​

  • Program
  • Data Elements
  • Tracked Entity Attributes

10. INDICATOR​

Metadata Types​

  • Indicator Type
  • Indicator
  • Indicator Group
  • Indicator Group Set

Dependencies​

  • Data Elements
  • Expression Dimension Items

11. VISUALIZATION & DASHBOARD​

Metadata Types​

  • Visualization
  • Event Visualization
  • Map
  • Map View
  • External Map Layer
  • Legend Set
  • Dashboard

Notes​

  • Visual-only metadata
  • Safe to import last

12. USER (Optional – Not Recommended)​

Metadata Types​

  • User Role
  • User Group
  • User

⚠ Recommendation: Do not migrate users between systems. Create manually.

14. Final Notes​

  • Always import metadata in small, logical batches
  • Keep backups before every import
  • Prefer API-based export/import for large systems