Help Center / Web Hosting

How to Import and Export a Database with phpMyAdmin

Updated: November 27, 2023


  phpMyAdmin is an essential tool when working with MySQL. phpMyAdmin allows the task of managing your MySQL databases much more easier and efficient, and it also helps you manage the available databases from just about anywhere. Through phpMyAdmin, you're able to create, edit, back up, import, export, and also delete databases, along with managing database tables. With cPanel, you could import and export databases with phpMyAdmin.

This guide will show you step-by-step instructions on importing and exporting databases with cPanel in the Database section.



Note: The maximum size for a sql upload via phpMyAdmin is 50MB. For larger databases please either split the database before importing or import via SSH.


Import Database


Step 1

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Cpanel Login Screen

Log into your cPanel Account.






Step 2

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cPanel Databases

Navigate to Databases section and click on phpMyAdmin icon.






Step 3

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phpMyAdmin Database

Select the database from the left panel that you would like to import the new database into.






Step 4

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phpMyAdmin Database Import

In the top navigation menu, select Import.






Step 5

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phpMyAdmin Database Browse

Click Browse and locate the .sql file from your computer.




Click Done. You will now see a message that the Database was successfully imported.




Note: When importing data into a table from a CSV file where the table has an auto_increment field, make the auto_increment value for each record in the CSV field to be "0" (zero). This allows the auto_increment field to populate correctly.




Export Database






Step 1

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cPanel Databases

In cPanel, scroll down to Databases section and click on phpMyAdmin icon.






Step 2

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phpMyAdmin Database

Select the database from the left panel that you would like to export.






Step 3

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phpMyAdmin Database Export

Click the Export tab at the top menu and select the Format with the drop-down menu.



Note: For Export Method, the Quick method allows you to download the .sql file immediately, while the Custom method allows more control over the data. Only use the Custom method if you're very familiar with managing SQL tables.

Note: Format The phpMyAdmin export process allows you to export into these formats: SQL, CodeGen, CSV, CSV for MS Excel, JSON, LaTeX, MediaWiki Table, Microsoft Word 2000, OpenDocument Spreadsheet, OpenDocument Text, PDF, PHP Array, Texy! Text, XML, and YAML.

Press Go and you will now be able to save the Database.