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How to Export Your Joomla! Database with phpMyAdmin
September 25, 2006 | by Cory | 23 CommentsI had a request from a reader to provide more detailed instructions on "database wrangling" with your Joomla! database. This article is an attempt at honoring that request. I will add an article later that explains how to import your Joomla! database using phpMyAdmin.
To perform the tasks in this article, you will need phpMyAdmin installed on your server. I am using version 2.8.0.2 of phpMyAdmin and version 4.1.21 of MySQL. For the sake of brevity, I have assumed that you have access to your MySQL server and left out details on how to gain that access. If you are unsure about how to gain access to your MySQL server, you should contact your hosting provider.
phpMyAdmin Main Screen
Once you have logged into phpMyAdmin on your server, you should see a screen that looks like this:

In the left column, there should be a listing of the databases available. Click on the link to your Joomla! database. In this example, the database is simply called "joomla".
phpMyAdmin Table List Screen
Once you have clicked on your Joomla! database, you should come to a screen that looks like this:

This screen lists off the tables that are in your Joomla! database. Click on the tab labelled "Export".
phpMyAdmin Export Screen
That should take you to a screen that looks like this:

Export Steps
This is where the magic happens. Follow these simple steps, and you will have your database exported to an SQL file.
- Select all of your Joomla! tables from the list of tables.
- In the list of export types, make sure "SQL" is selected. (This makes it easier to re-import your data later.)
- Leave your SQL options like they are (unless they are different from what you see in the picture).
- Make sure "Save as file" is checked.
- Click the button labelled "Go".
- Save your ".sql" file to your system and make note of where you saved it.
That's all there is to it. You should now have a file on your system that is an exact copy of your Joomla! database.
About the Author
In the years since Joomla! was founded, Cory has built dozens of websites with Joomla! and helped thousands of people find answers to questions about Joomla! through HowToJoomla.net. Cory has also written a book about Joomla titled Beginning Joomla! Web Site Development published by Wrox in April, 2009. In February of 2008, Cory founded Cory Webb Media, LLC, where he provides consulting and web development services for companies of all sizes. You can follow Cory on Twitter @corywebb, or become a fan of Cory Webb Media on Facebook.
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Comments (23)
written by Nick, March 18, 2007
Great articles, I've read many of them and they have really helped my understanding of Joomla.
Following one of your links re Joomla 1.5 and hence to backward compatibility, I came across
First a word of warning! The popular tool, ‘phpMyAdmin’ performs unrequested and usually incorrect encoding conversions during export of site data. There is currently no way to control this. For this reason it is NOT recommended to use phpMyAdmin for migration.at
http://dev.joomla.org/componen...,33/p,107/
Do you agree with this view?
written by Cory, March 18, 2007
That's a great question. To be honest, I do not know the answer to that. I assume that the writer of that article knew what he was talking about, so I have no reason to disagree with that view. I personally have never experienced a problem exporting a database with phpMyAdmin for Joomla! 1.0.x, but I've never tried it with Joomla! 1.5. The best advice I can give when working directly with your database is to take every possible precaution. If you are uncertain about the possible ramifications, I recommend hiring a professional to do it for you.
Cory
written by Hasanul, June 23, 2007
written by Vince, October 25, 2007
I'll try and make it a Joomla add-on soon.
written by Gabriel, March 10, 2008
From my experience I have not had issues with moving database with phpmyadmin. Actually I like it a lot. But thats me.
With regards to your artcle you said
Leave your SQL options like they are (unless they are different from what you see in the picture).
I think its a good idea to check if you are running the same version of mysql or both servers. If not, you migh need to need to select the export compatibilty to the version of mysql you want to export to.
Also if you already have same tables in the destination joomla database it is important to check "add drop table" and add if not exist"
And also select export type insert, update or replace accordingly.
Always backup your orginal database before importing anything!
Long live Joomla!
written by Vince, June 28, 2008
www.MySQLBackup.info
Next step is that I need to see if it can be made into a Joomla plugin.
written by rafi michael, July 04, 2008
written by Joomla Webdesign, November 24, 2008
written by okinawa, April 01, 2009
written by منتديات, April 05, 2009
written by Robert Kash Jr, August 05, 2009
written by dusan kolar, August 31, 2009
For any reason, I don't see pictures on this very interesting website. Please, advise what to do. I am using IE7.
Regards,
Dusan
written by منتديات, September 22, 2009
written by مركز تحميل, September 22, 2009
And also select export type insert, update or replace accordingly.
Always backup your orginal database before importing anything!
written by avanzaweb, October 05, 2009
Write comment






question, how can
I take my website from a server to
another server?? can all my files work like from the first server ??
or I want install my old copy of joomla I have to the new server. can I copy the all of joomla with all contents ??
please I need an answer..
thnx Huner Norway
honerkurd@hotmail.com