How to export and import MySQL Database by Bas Wijdenes

Exporting a Database from phpMyAdmin the basics

Is it phpMyAdmin or mySQL?

The difference between these two is that mySQL is a database server with command tools and phpMyAdmin is the webapplication for mySQL.
So in short they’re the same.

I’ve made 2 short guides to export and import a database in mySQL / phpMyAdmin.
And 2 long guides for the same thing, but step by step with screenshots.
Scroll down to the appropriate guide.


Short guide – Export MySQL database phpMyAdmin

  1. Open your cPanel
  2. Find the phpMyAdmin button
  3. Select the database you would like to export
  4. Click Export
  5. Select Quick as Export method.
  6. View the Settings
  7. Select the appropriate format
  8. Click Go

The selected database will be exported and downloaded.


Short guide – Import MySQL Database phpMyAdmin 

  1. Open your cPanel
  2. Find the phpMyAdmin button
  3. Browse to the Import file
  4. View the Settings
  5. Select the appropriate format
  6. Click Go

The selected database will be imported.


Long guide – Export MySQL database phpMyAdmin

  1. Go to your webhosting login page
  2. Open your cPanel
  3. Find the phpMyAdmin button.
  4. Open phpMyAdmin. See the screenshot:
Export database mysql - Export database phpmyadmin
Export and import MySQL Database
  1. Select the appropriate Database
  2. Click on Export
Export database mySQL - Export database phpMyAdmin
Export and import MySQL Database
  1. Select Quick if you don’t know what you’re doing
  2. Choose the appropriate format, again: if you don’t know what you’re doing select SQL
  3. Click Go to export the Database.
Export database mySQL - Export database phpMyAdmin
Export database mySQL – Export database phpMyAdmin

Exporting a database is easy, but importing a database is just as easy or maybe even easier.


Long guide – Import MySQL database phpMyAdmin

  1. Go to your webhosting login page
  2. Open your cPanel
  3. Find the phpMyAdmin button.
  4. Open phpMyAdmin. See the screenshot:
Import database mysql - Import database phpmyadmin
Import database mySQL – Import database phpMyAdmin
  1. Click the Import button
  2. Browse to the appropriate file
  3. Select utf-8
  4. Don’t uncheck the Partial Import
  5. Select the appropriate format: default is SQL
  6. Click Go
Import database in mysql with phpMyAdmin webGUI
Import database in mysql with phpMyAdmin webGUI

That’s it. If you need more help please comment below.

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Bas Wijdenes

My name is Bas Wijdenes and I work as a PowerShell DevOps Engineer. In my spare time I write about interesting stuff that I encounter during my work.

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