Book Sale! Code WP2025 takes 20% OFF our Pro Plugins & Books »
Web Dev + WordPress + Security
eBook: .htaccess made easy
.htaccess made easy: Improve site performance and security.

Back up that Database with phpMyAdmin

Optimal Database Export Options Backing up your database as often as possible is essential. For WordPress, as well as for other applications, plugins and other scripts that help automate the task are easily obtainable. However, for several reasons, it is a good idea to understand the process of manually creating a backup copy of your database. This quick tutorial should help cement the process into a solid reference. We are assuming that you have an SQL database and have access via phpMyAdmin.

Visual steps

Before reading through the written steps, check out the screenshot (image opens in new tab or window):

Quick steps

  1. Open phpMyAdmin, select database, click on “Export”
  2. Within the “Export” screen, click on “Select All” and select “SQL”
  3. Then check “Structure”, “Add DROP TABLE”, “Add AUTO_INCREMENT..”, and “Enclose table..”
  4. Also check “Data”, “Complete inserts”, and “Use hexadecimal..”
  5. Check “Save as file”, select a compression format, and “Go”!

Verbose steps

First, open phpMyAdmin and select from the dropdown menu the database you wish to backup. If there is only one database available, select it by clicking on its name. Now, along the upper-right row of tabs, click on the “export” tab. From that screen, under the subcategory “Export”, click on “select all” and make sure that the “SQL” option is selected.

Then, under the SQL Options/Structure category, make sure “Structure”, “Add DROP TABLE”, “Add AUTO_INCREMENT value”, and “Enclose table and field names with backquotes” are checked.

Next, under the “SQL Options/Data” category, make sure “Data”, “Complete inserts”, and “Use hexadecimal for binary fields” are checked. The “Export type” should be set to “INSERT”.

Finally, check “Save as file” and do not change the “File name template”. It is advisable to save both a compressed copy and a zipped copy. Click “Save” and you are done.

About the Author
Jeff Starr = Designer. Developer. Producer. Writer. Editor. Etc.
Wizard’s SQL for WordPress: Over 300+ recipes! Check the Demo »
Welcome
Perishable Press is operated by Jeff Starr, a professional web developer and book author with two decades of experience. Here you will find posts about web development, WordPress, security, and more »
BBQ Pro: The fastest firewall to protect your WordPress.
Thoughts
Arc browser looked good but lost me at “account required”. No thank you.
Finishing up the pro version of Head Meta Data plugin, launch planned this month.
Finally finished my ultimate block list to stop AI bots :) Blocks over 100 AI bots!
After 10 years working late at night, my schedule has changed. I am now a “morning person”, starting my day at 6am or earlier.
Nice update for Wutsearch search engine launchpad. Now with 19 engines including Luxxle AI-powered search.
New version of 8G Firewall (v1.4) now available for download :)
Wishing everyone a prosperous and bright New Year!
Newsletter
Get news, updates, deals & tips via email.
Email kept private. Easy unsubscribe anytime.