Cory Webb's How to Joomla!

I 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.

1. Select all of your Joomla! tables from the list of tables.
2. In the list of export types, make sure "SQL" is selected. (This makes it easier to re-import your data later.)
3. Leave your SQL options like they are (unless they are different from what you see in the picture).
4. Make sure "Save as file" is checked.
5. Click the button labelled "Go".
6. 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.

 TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (10)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Huner: ... http://www.chrax.com

hi, I had a
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
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

1

report abuse

vote down

vote up

October 02, 2006
Votes: +0

Cory: ... http://www.howtojoomla.net

@Huner: Try this tutorial:

http://www.howtojoomla.net/content/view/17/2/

2

report abuse

vote down

vote up

October 02, 2006
Votes: +0

Huner: ... http://www.chrax.com

thnx Cory..

3

report abuse

vote down

vote up

October 02, 2006
Votes: +0

Nick: ... http://www.clarioncall.co.uk

Hi Cory,

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?

4

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 17, 2007
Votes: +0

Cory: ... http://www.howtojoomla.net

Hi Nick,

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

5

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 17, 2007
Votes: +0

Hasanul: ... http://www.portalku.web.id

I late write this great article. Just make a fresh install in new host. Just wondering, how to export just content database to my new database? Thanks before

6

report abuse

vote down

vote up

June 23, 2007
Votes: +0

Hasanul: ... http://www.portalku.web.id

Oops, I mean read, not write

7

report abuse

vote down

vote up

June 23, 2007
Votes: +0

Vince: ... http://www.hostbaron.com

I have a script to backup and restore any database - takes seconds to run.
I'll try and make it a Joomla add-on soon.

8

report abuse

vote down

vote up

October 25, 2007
Votes: +0

Masi: ...

Great!

9

report abuse

vote down

vote up

December 25, 2007
Votes: +0

Gabriel: ... http://www.rhesusmedia.com

I just stumbled on your site.

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!

10

report abuse

vote down

vote up

March 10, 2008
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment