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How to manage a database with phpMyAdmin.

phpMyAdmin gives you browser-based access to the MySQL or MariaDB databases in your cPanel account. You can browse tables, search data, run SQL queries, and import or export database contents.

cPanel phpMyAdmin MySQL / MariaDB Import + Export SQL
1

Open phpMyAdmin

Log in to cPanel and open phpMyAdmin.

Go to Databases → phpMyAdmin. cPanel opens phpMyAdmin using your hosting account access, so you normally do not need to enter a separate database login.

How to Log in to cPanel
2

Choose a Database

Select the database you want to work with.

The databases available to your cPanel account appear in the left column. Click a database name to display its tables.

Not sure which database belongs to WordPress?

For a WordPress website, open the site's wp-config.php file and look for the DB_NAME value. That is the database name used by the site.

3

Browse + Search

View tables and database records.

After selecting a database, click a table and use Browse to view its rows. Use Search when you need to find particular values inside a table.

Only edit or delete records when you know what the application expects. WordPress, plugins and other applications may depend on relationships between several tables.

4

Export

Export a database before major changes.

Select the database and click Export. For a normal backup, the Quick export method and SQL format are usually suitable.

Download the SQL file to your computer and keep it somewhere safe before making risky database changes.

5

Import

Import an SQL database file.

Select the destination database first, then click Import and choose the SQL or supported compressed database file from your computer.

Check that you have selected the correct database before starting the import. Importing into a database that already contains tables can create duplicates or overwrite existing data depending on the SQL file.

6

SQL

Run an SQL query only when you know what it will change.

The SQL tab lets you run queries directly against the selected database. This is useful for developers and advanced troubleshooting, but a destructive query can alter or remove data immediately.

Make a backup first.

If a query will update, replace or delete data, export the database before running it.

7

Create Databases Properly

Do not create databases or database users in phpMyAdmin.

Use cPanel → Databases → Database Wizard or Manage My Databases to create databases, database users and privileges.

cPanel needs to map databases and users to your hosting account correctly for backups, restores and account management.

8

WordPress

Common WordPress database work.

phpMyAdmin is often used to inspect WordPress tables, export a database, troubleshoot a broken site or make a specific database change when normal WordPress administration is unavailable.

For routine WordPress management, use the WordPress dashboard or the relevant plugin wherever possible rather than editing database rows manually.

Need Help?

Not sure which database or table to change?

If you are unsure, stop before modifying the database and open a Hostmate support ticket. Include the domain name and what you are trying to change.

Open a Support Ticket

cPanel recommends phpMyAdmin for browsing, querying, importing and exporting existing databases, while databases and database users should be created through cPanel's database management tools. View the official cPanel Databases documentation.