Managing your database with phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is the web based tool in cPanel that lets you view and edit the MySQL or MariaDB databases behind your site. You use it to browse tables, run SQL queries, fix a single value, or export a full backup, all without a command line. This guide shows how to open it and perform the most common tasks safely.

Opening phpMyAdmin in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel (usually https://yourdomain.com/cpanel or the URL in your welcome email).
2. Scroll to the Databases section.
3. Click phpMyAdmin. It opens in a new tab and signs you in automatically, so you do not need to enter database credentials.
4. In the left sidebar you will see every database your cPanel account owns. Click a database name to expand its tables.

If you are not sure which database belongs to your site, open the site configuration file (for WordPress this is wp-config.php) and look for the DB_NAME value.

Browsing and editing data

Select a database in the left sidebar, then click a table to see its rows. From here you can:

• Browse: view rows page by page and use the Search tab to filter by column value.
• Edit: click the pencil icon next to a row, change a field, then click Go to save.
• Insert: use the Insert tab to add a new row.
• Structure: view or change column types, indexes, and keys. Only change structure if you understand the impact on your application.

Every edit is written to the live database immediately, so take a backup first (see below) before changing anything on a production site.

Running an SQL query

Click the SQL tab at the top, type your statement, and click Go. This is handy for common maintenance tasks. For example, to update a WordPress site URL after a domain change:

UPDATE wp_options
SET option_value = 'https://newdomain.com'
WHERE option_name IN ('siteurl', 'home');

Note that your table prefix may differ from wp_. A SELECT query is safe to run and only reads data, but UPDATE and DELETE permanently change rows, so double check the WHERE clause before you run them.

Exporting a backup

A database export is the fastest way to protect yourself before any risky change.

1. Select the database in the left sidebar.
2. Click the Export tab.
3. Leave the method on Quick and the format on SQL, then click Go.
4. Save the downloaded .sql file somewhere safe. It contains the full structure and data.

Importing a database

1. Create or select the target database, then click the Import tab.
2. Click Choose File and pick your .sql file.
3. Click Go and wait for the success message.

If your file is larger than the upload limit, compress it as .sql.gz or import it in smaller parts. On our LiteSpeed and CloudLinux servers you can also raise the limit through PHP settings, or reach our team at /contact-us.html for help with very large imports.

Working safely

A few habits prevent most phpMyAdmin accidents:

• Always export a backup before editing structure or running write queries.
• Test destructive queries with a SELECT first to confirm which rows match.
• Never edit the wrong site's database. On dedicated SEO hosting each account is isolated, which keeps your data separate. Learn more about our SEO web hosting and browse other cPanel and technical guides.

For deeper reference on cPanel tools, see the official cPanel documentation.