How to use phpMyAdmin

Applies to: All plans.

Before you start: You need access to your cPanel account (open your service in the client area and choose Log in to cPanel) and you should already have at least one MySQL database. phpMyAdmin is the web tool for working inside a database directly — browsing data, running SQL, and exporting or importing.

Tip: phpMyAdmin manages the contents of a database. To create the database itself, or to create a database user, see How to create and manage a MySQL database.

Open phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Go to cPanel -> Databases -> phpMyAdmin.
3. phpMyAdmin opens in a new view. Your databases are listed down the left-hand side. Click a database name to expand it and see its tables.

Result: You are inside phpMyAdmin with your database and its tables visible in the left panel.

Browse a table

1. In the left panel, click your database, then click a table name.
2. The Browse tab shows the rows in that table. Use the page controls to move through large tables.
3. To change a row, click the Edit (pencil) link next to it, adjust the values, then save with Go.

Result: You can read and edit the data stored in your tables.

Run an SQL query

1. Click your database name in the left panel so the query runs against the right one.
2. Open the SQL tab.
3. Type or paste your query into the box, then click Go.

Result: phpMyAdmin runs the query and shows the rows returned or a confirmation of how many rows were changed.

Take care with statements that change data (such as UPDATE or DELETE) — they apply immediately. Export a backup first (below) if you are unsure.

Export a database (backup)

1. Click the database name in the left panel.
2. Open the Export tab.
3. Leave the method on Quick and the format on SQL for a standard backup, then click Go (the exact button label may be Go or Export).
4. Save the downloaded .sql file somewhere safe.

Result: You have a .sql file containing the structure and data of your database.

Import a database

1. Click the database you want to import into (the data is added to this database, so pick the right one).
2. Open the Import tab.
3. Click Choose File and select your .sql file.
4. Click Go to start the import.

Result: phpMyAdmin loads the file and reports success.

If your file is larger than the upload limit, import it in smaller parts, or compress it (for example to .sql.gz) before uploading.

Troubleshooting this task

• "No database selected" / query runs against the wrong one: Click the correct database name in the left panel before opening the SQL or Import tab.
• Import fails or times out: The file may exceed the upload size. Split the export into smaller files, or upload a compressed .sql.gz. You can also raise PHP upload limits via cPanel -> Software -> MultiPHP INI Editor within your plan's limits.
• A query errors with "max_user_connections" or the site/database is slow: You may be hitting your plan's CloudLinux resource limits. See MySQL slow or using high CPU.
• You only need to restore a whole database, not edit it: Use a backup snapshot instead — see How to restore a database.

Related articles

• How to create and manage a MySQL database
• How to restore a database
• Fixing "Error establishing a database connection"
• MySQL slow or using high CPU