Save 25% on our pro plugins with coupon code: SPRING2023
Web Dev + WordPress + Security
Blackhole Pro
Blackhole Pro: Trap bad bots in a virtual black hole.

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.

Jeff Starr
About the Author
Jeff Starr = Web Developer. Security Specialist. WordPress Buff.
Digging Into WordPress: Take your WordPress skills to the next level.
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 »
The Tao of WordPress: Master the art of WordPress.
Thoughts
There is no end to what humans can achieve when they work together.
Excellent (and free) tool to test your site's SSL configuration.
Plugin updates! All of our free and pro plugins ready for WordPress 6.2.
Daylight savings is a complete waste of time and needs to be eliminated.
Got a couple of snow days here in mid-March. Fortunately it's not sticking.
I handle all email in real time as it comes in, perpetually clear inbox for years now.
Added some nice features to Wutsearch search engine launchpad. Now 21 engines!
Newsletter
Get news, updates, deals & tips via email.
Email kept private. Easy unsubscribe anytime.