# Importing databases and tables with phpMyAdmin

> Learn how to import a SQL file into a database using phpMyAdmin in cPanel, to restore a backup or move data in.

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

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Importing loads a `.sql` file back into a database - restoring a backup, or bringing in a database from somewhere else. This guide shows how to import with phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

## Before you start

- You need the `.sql` file you want to import, often created by [exporting](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/exporting-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin) a database. phpMyAdmin also accepts a file compressed as `.zip`, `.gz` or `.bz2`.
- The database you are importing into must already exist. If it does not, [create one first](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/how-to-create-a-mysql-database-in-cpanel).

Open phpMyAdmin from the **Databases** section of cPanel.

## Import a SQL file

1. In the left-hand panel, click the database you want to import into. Double-check you have picked the right one - importing adds to, and can overwrite, whatever is already there.
2. Click the **Import** tab at the top.
3. Under **File to import**, click **Choose File** and select your `.sql` file from your computer.

   ![The phpMyAdmin Import tab, with the Choose File button highlighted under File to import](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/8c/82/8c82459d949e7095dc754d5fca1cc931910091ef.png)

4. Leave the other settings at their defaults. The **Format** is detected automatically as **SQL**, and **utf-8** is the right character set for almost every file.
5. Scroll down and click **Import**.

phpMyAdmin uploads and runs the file, then shows a green success message telling you how many queries ran. Your imported tables appear under the database in the left-hand panel.

:::warning
If your `.sql` file contains tables with the same names as those already in the target database, importing will overwrite that data. Import into an empty database, or take an [export](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/exporting-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin) first, if you are unsure.
:::

## If your file is too large

The upload limit through phpMyAdmin is **50 MiB**, shown next to the Choose File button. If your `.sql` file is bigger than that, importing through the browser will time out or fail. Instead, [import the database over SSH](/knowledgebase/cpanel-databases/how-to-import-a-large-mysql-database-via-ssh), which has no such limit.

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/importing-databases-and-tables-with-phpmyadmin · © Kualo Ltd._