# Exporting databases and tables with phpMyAdmin

> Learn how to export a database or a single table as a SQL file in phpMyAdmin, for backups or moving your data.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/exporting-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin
Updated: 2026-06-11

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Exporting creates a downloadable copy of your database (or a single table) as a `.sql` file - a complete snapshot of its structure and data. It is the simplest way to take a manual backup before making changes, or to move a database to another server. This guide shows how to do it with phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

## Before you start

Open phpMyAdmin from the **Databases** section of cPanel. If it is new to you, [Becoming familiar with databases in phpMyAdmin](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/becoming-familiar-with-databases-in-phpmyadmin) explains the layout.

## Export an entire database

1. In the left-hand panel, click the database you want to back up.
2. Click the **Export** tab at the top.
3. Leave the **Export method** set to **Quick** and the **Format** set to **SQL** - this suits almost every backup.

   ![The database Export tab set to Quick export in SQL format](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/94/9c/949cec63da04ba6cb8b94d3718fbf1e538fb0042.png)

4. Click **Export**. Your browser downloads a single `.sql` file containing every table in the database, ready to keep safe or re-import later.

## Export a single table

If you only need one table rather than the whole database:

1. Click the database to expand it, then click the **table** you want.
2. Open the **Export** tab. The options are the same - **Quick** method and **SQL** format.

   ![The Export tab for a single table, with the Quick method and SQL format selected](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/27/23/2723fd086832daa91b119161b1e814bdf45e6a8c.png)

3. Click **Export** to download that table on its own.

:::tip
Choose **Custom** instead of Quick if you need finer control - for example to select specific tables, add a `DROP TABLE` statement before each `CREATE`, or compress the file as `.zip` or `.gz`. For a routine backup, **Quick** is all you need.
:::

## What to do with the file

Keep the downloaded `.sql` file somewhere safe. You can restore it at any time by following [Importing databases and tables with phpMyAdmin](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/importing-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin). For a very large database, [importing via SSH](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/how-to-import-a-large-mysql-database-via-ssh) is faster and more reliable.

A phpMyAdmin export is ideal for quick, manual backups, but it is not a substitute for your account's full backups. For a complete restore, use the backups in cPanel instead.

If you need a hand, our support team is available 24/7 - just [open a support ticket](/knowledgebase/getting-started/how-to-create-a-support-ticket-in-mykualo).


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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/exporting-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin · © Kualo Ltd._