How to Export WordPress Database (Several Options Available)
How to Export WordPress Database (Several Options Available). In this post, we will explain why we need to export the WordPress database and different methods to export it.
Once a user signs into WordPress, the WP database stores the information, and it’s desirable to store it in different locations. Well additionally WordPress offers an import/export feature that can help you backup user data or migrate it to a different website.
Without proper knowledge backing up data from WordPress can be time consuming and tedious.
So, we have compiled the information to help you export the WordPress database correctly and avoid common pitfalls.
Have a look at How to Export WordPress Database (Several Options Available).
Why Export the WordPress Database?
- Download specific website data – You can extract useful information or different posts or pages based on your preference to use it for different purposes.
- To import the old website database to a new site – You can use different aspects of your old site in your newer website. Within no time, you can transfer your old website data and bypass the tension of data loss or migration while kickstarting a new WordPress website.
Now let’s look at the process of exporting the WordPress database effectively.
How to Export WordPress Database?
There are multiple ways to export a WordPress user database. We have filtered the top ways to accomplish the process.
- Use phpMYAdmin to export WordPress database.
- Export WordPress database using a plugin.
- Use SSH to Export WordPress database.
- Also export WordPress database using WP-CLI
Let’s dive into the detailed process for these methods.
1. Exporting with phpMyAdmin
The phpMyAdmin feature is a great way to export a WP database. PHP is the protocol used by WordPress users to store, access and change data.
The wp-config.php file stores the vital information like database name, host, username, and password.
You can use the phpMyAdmin tool to interact with the WordPress database. Then, you can access phpMyAdmin once you have access to your cPanel. Different hosts use it.
- In cPanel, go to Databases.
- Click phpMyAdmin.
You can get a dedicated view of the current database once you click on the hosted website.
Click the +sign to expand the database information. You have different options at the top window, including reading, importing, and exporting.
You can initiate the request by clicking Go and then save the file on your local computer or laptop.
Next, you also can export the database as a CSV file. You can also import your database into another using the feature provided by phpMyAdmin.
2. Exporting WordPress Database Using Plugins
You can easily export a WordPress database using different plugins available for WordPress.
Import Export WordPress Users
The WooCommerce plugin enables WordPress users to import and export databases. It’s an easy to use plugin and offers faster results for a better user experience.
The plugin removes the complexities involved in the import or export process and simplifies the operations.
All in One WP Migration
All in One WP Migration plugin offers great functionalities for exporting or importing. It can replace different parts of the database with parts of the backup.
It offers features to export a WordPress database while filtering certain information types. You can remove the spam comments, post revisions, and different unwanted data points with finesse.
WP Migrate DB
WP Migrate DB improves the exporting of your WordPress databases as MySQL data dump. It can help you replace data within the plugin interface and enable you to save the information on the computer.
This plugin can handle serialized data as an SQL file and ensure you achieve your desired exporting results in no time.
BlogVault
It can also help you make backups and offers staging solutions for your website. BlogVault also offers key features like managing, restoration, and different valuable functions.
3. Backing up a database with SSH
Both the above listed methods are great for exporting the WordPress database, but they don’t work effectively for exporting large database files.
Different plugins create a database of the backup and add it to the existing database, which can grow larger and larger. Choosing SSH for sites with large databases is a great option. But you require decent technical expertise and experience to handle the export.
You also need to be well versed in using SQL to attempt using SSH with finesse. You must be familiar with the mysqldump command to help you achieve the desired results.
The command generates a SQL file containing that list of available SQL commands. You can generate an exact copy of the database by running the SQL commands available in the file.
You must ensure that you have vital details before starting the process.
- The database username.
- Database name.
- The database password.
You can easily export your large database using the mysqldump command as shown below:
mysqldump -u username -p databasename > wp-database-backup.sql
4. Exporting WordPress Database with WP-CLI
For different operations in WP Admin, a specific command performs the same action in WP-CLI. It is practical for installation configuration, exporting the database, and plugin updates.
- Download WP-CLI.
- Install.
- Login to the server using SSH. You can use the details of the cPanel user, root user, or domain user.
Steps to backup a WordPress Database with WP-CLI Command
You can perform the following steps to backup a WordPress database using the WP-CLI command:
ssh username@wordpress-ip-address
2. Next, change the directory to the WordPress root directory using the following command:
cd /var/www/html/wordpress
3. Next, backup the WordPress database to your current directory using the following command:
wp db export
4. To backup the WordPress database to a specific location, run the following command:
wp db export /backup/wp-backup.sql
Now, you know how to export your WordPress database using different effective methods. Let’s briefly look at how to restore a WordPress database from an exported file.
Restoring a WordPress Database from an Exported Database File
You can restore the database, but first, you need to visit the phpMyAdmin console. The approach can work whether you have an existing database or not.
You need to visit the screen that showcases the database tables as described. Then select all the tables, or you can use the Check All button if available.
If it’s a new database, no previous table will be available. Click on the With Selected drop down menu and select drop. Confirm the operations and wait for some time. Hover to the import tab once the operation completes and select the backup file.
You can finalize the operations by clicking Go, which can help you restore your WordPress database from an exported file.
Try the WordPress SSO -Single Sign On SAML Login Security Plugin
Improve your WordPress site security even further with our WordPress SSO plugin.
- Secure your WordPress logins with WP Cloud SSO. It is a WordPress SSO Single Sign On.
- Login to WordPress (WP) using Azure AD, Azure B2C, Okta, ADFS, Keycloak, OneLogin, Salesforce, Google Apps (G Suite), Shibboleth, Ping, Auth0 and other IdPs.
- SAML SP (Service Provider) that establishes a trust between our WordPress SSO plugin and IDP to securely authenticate and enable SSO.
- WordPress Single Sign On.
- Protect Your Website with auto redirect to IdP.
- Apply it in WordPress multiple Environments Support and Migration (Dev, Staging, Prod).
Thank you for reading How to Export WordPress Database (Several Options Available)
How to Export WordPress Database (Several Options Available) Conclusion
Now that you know the required details about exporting a WordPress database. It’s time to export or import your database based on your requirements.
Whether you want to make the off site backup for security reasons or you want a specific data segment for your business operations, you can easily import data within no time. You can also transfer your old website database and import it into your new website with no hassles.
Ensure that you follow the result oriented steps and escape the troubles of data loss, migration, or inaccessibility.
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