How to Import and Export Databases in Plesk

Importing and exporting databases is essential for migrating websites, restoring data, and creating backups. This guide covers importing and exporting MySQL databases using phpMyAdmin in Plesk.

Importing a Database via phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to Plesk.
2. Go to Databases.
3. Click the database you want to import data into.
4. Click Webadmin (phpMyAdmin).
5. Click the Import tab.
6. Click Choose File and select your .sql or .sql.gz backup file.
7. Under Format, ensure SQL is selected.
8. Click Go to start the import.
9. Wait for the import to complete. A success message will appear.

Exporting a Database via phpMyAdmin

1. In Plesk, go to Databases.
2. Click the database you want to export.
3. Click Webadmin (phpMyAdmin).
4. Click the Export tab.
5. Select Quick for a standard export, or Custom for more options (selecting specific tables, adding compression).
6. Under Format, select SQL.
7. Click Go. The database backup will be downloaded to your computer.

Importing a Database Using the Plesk Dump Tool

1. In Plesk, go to Databases.
2. Click the database name.
3. Click Import Dump.
4. Upload a .sql dump file from your computer.
5. Click OK to import.

Important Notes

• Importing a database will overwrite existing tables with the same names.
• phpMyAdmin has an upload limit (typically 50 MB or higher). For larger databases, contact your hosting provider about importing via SSH.
• Always export a backup before importing new data.
• When migrating a database, ensure the character set matches (use utf8mb4 for modern applications).

Troubleshooting

"File too large" error during import:

• Compress the SQL file to .sql.gz before importing.
• Split the file into smaller chunks.
• Contact your hosting provider to increase the upload limit.

"SQL query error" during import:

• The SQL file may contain syntax errors or may be from a different MySQL version.
• Check the error message in phpMyAdmin for details.