How to Export WordPress Database Safely

What do WordPress backups and migrations have in common? They both require you to export your site and handle files or tables with care. 

Backups and migrations are hotbeds for data losses if not done correctly. For example, if you don’t take a complete backup, your restore will be incomplete. If you don’t store your backup safely, your backup could be compromised—and poof… everything is gone. You’ve spent a lot of time and effort building your site and you can’t risk losing it all. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through different ways to export your WordPress database. Whether you’re doing regular backups or moving your site to a new server, you’ll find useful tips to help you get it right.

TL;DR: BlogVault is the ultimate plugin you need for all your WordPress database export needs, whether for backups, migrations, or any other purpose. It’s one plugin for all your site maintenance needs. 

What does it mean to export a WordPress database?

Exporting a database means creating a copy of the database’s data. This copy is usually saved in a specific format, such as SQL, which is used by most database management systems. By doing so, you ensure that you have a reliable version of your database that can be utilized in multiple scenarios.

One of the most common reasons for exporting a database is to create a backup. Backups are essential safety measures that help mitigate the risk of data loss in case something goes wrong—whether due to a server failure, hacking attempt, or user error. For instance, having an up-to-date export allows you to restore your entire website to its previous state with minimal disruption.

Exporting a database is also incredibly useful for migrating data from one server or hosting provider to another. Maybe you’re upgrading your server or moving to a host with better features. 

Additionally, exporting the database allows you to share it with another person or team, facilitating collaboration. 

Even maintenance tasks such as upgrading the database software or cleaning up old data become much safer with a backup at hand. 

Pro tip: If you’re looking for an easy way to migrate your site or take a backup, try BlogVault. It  offers an incredibly simple and user-friendly interface for backups and migrations, ensuring all your data is safe with just a few clicks. It provides comprehensive backup solutions by taking full, daily backups of your entire site the first time and then in increments. Your backups are also stored securely on cloud servers. So, your server resources are left untouched. Additionally, BlogVault’s hassle-free, one-click migration feature guarantees zero downtime and efficient site transfers, making it the go-to solution for reliable and easy site management.

Option 1: Export WordPress database using a backup plugin 

Using a plugin to export your WordPress database is a straightforward and efficient method. This is especially true if you’re looking for a solution that requires minimal technical knowledge. 

BlogVault is a powerful plugin that simplifies the process of backing up and migrating your WordPress site. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features designed to make WordPress management a breeze. 

In this section, we’ll guide you through the steps to export your WordPress database using the BlogVault plugin.

1. Create an account: Navigate to BlogVault and click Sign up at the top. Then, add your email address and create a password. Pick a subscription to continue.

2. Add a site: Copy and paste your site’s URL into the given fields. Then, add the admin username and password to initiate sync.

Note: The first two steps and the time it takes is only necessary the first time. After the first sync, you can go straight to the next step. 

3. Access backup details: Once BlogVault is activated, go to the BlogVault dashboard. Give it a few minutes for it to fully sync and assess your site. Then, in the Backups section, click Details.

4. Initiate export: At the top of the backup details page, find and click the Download Backup icon. This will open a window where you can customize what you want to download.

5. Deselect files: In the download window, you will see options for files and database. Deselect the file options if you’re only interested in exporting the database. 

6. Select backup version: If you’re an existing user, you can choose the version you want to export. Otherwise, you will automatically have the latest version picked. 
7. Export database: After customizing your download options, click the Download Backup button. The export process will start, and you will be prompted to download the SQL file to your computer.

Why should you choose BlogVault?

We’ve tested a lot of WordPress backup plugins and BlogVault has reigned superior for multiple reasons:

• One-click backups and restores
• Automatic daily backups
• Incremental backups to save storage and bandwidth
• WooCommerce specific backups
• Secure offsite storage on cloud servers
• Easy site migrations with zero downtime
• Staging environment for testing changes
• Supports multisite networks
• Real-time backup for WooCommerce sites
• Detailed backup history and logging
• Multi-user support with role-based access
• Site performance monitoring and uptime tracking
• Seamless integration with popular web hosts

Option 2: Export WordPress database from phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a popular web-based tool that makes it easy to manage MySQL databases. This method is not as easy as exporting anything with a plugin. But it is highly effective for users with cPanel access or similar control panel environments. In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps to export your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin.

1. Go to phpMyAdmin: First, log in to your web hosting control panel (such as cPanel) and locate the phpMyAdmin icon. Click on it to open phpMyAdmin. Alternatively, if your host doesn’t provide cPanel, you can often find the phpMyAdmin dashboard by simply appending /phpmyadmin to your site URL. you will need the credentials to log in, which are not the same as your wp-admin. 

2. Select your database: In phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of databases on the left-hand side. Click on the name of the database associated with your WordPress site to select it.
3. Navigate to the Export tab: After selecting your database, click on the Export tab at the top of the phpMyAdmin interface. This will bring you to the export options screen.

4. Select export method: On the export screen, choose the Custom option under the Export Method section. This option allows you to customize the export settings.
5. Select format: In the format dropdown menu, select SQL as the format for your export file. This ensures that your database backup is compatible with other MySQL database systems. If you would prefer it in CSV format, you can do that too. 
6. Select all the tables: Scroll down to the Tables section and make sure all tables are selected. This ensures that the entire database, including all its tables, will be exported.

7. Click export: Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Go button. Your database export will start, and you will be prompted to download the SQL file to your computer.

Note: Not all web hosting providers offer phpMyAdmin. For instance, if you’re using a web host like Cloudways, you won’t find phpMyAdmin but  Adminer, which you can use to manage your database operations, including exporting your WordPress database. 

Option 3: Using SSH to export WordPress database

Exporting your WordPress database using SSH is a powerful and efficient method. But it is not as easy as backing up your databse with BlogVault. It only works if you are comfortable working with the command line. This approach is particularly useful for those who have SSH access to their server and prefer a direct, no-nonsense way of managing their database. Below are the steps to export your WordPress database using SSH.

1. Log into your server via SSH: Open your terminal or command prompt and enter the following command to connect to your server via SSH. Use the following command

ssh username@your_server_ip

Replace `username` with your actual server username and `your_server_ip` with your server’s IP address. Press Enter.

2. Execute the mysqldump command: Once connected, you need to execute the following `mysqldump` command to create a backup of your database:

mysqldump -u your_database_user -p your_database_name > C:\Backups\wordpress_backup.sql

Replace `your_database_user` with your database username, `your_database_name` with the name of your WordPress database, and `wordpress_backup.sql` with the desired name for your backup file. Replace “C:\Backups” with the path that you want to use. Press Enter once you’re done.

3. Enter your database password: After running the command, you will be prompted to enter your database password. Type in the password and press Enter. The command will now run and create a backup file of your database.
4. Verify the backup file: To ensure that the backup file has been created successfully, type the following command to list the files in your directory:

ls -lrt

You should see a file named `wordpress_backup.sql` in the list of files. This confirms that your database export was successful.

5. Download the exported file: Once you confirm that the export has been successful, download the file to your local drive.  

Understanding your exported database

When you export your WordPress database, you’re essentially creating a comprehensive backup of the core elements that make up your website. This exported file is a wealth of important data that is crucial for restoring or migrating your site. Here’s a detailed look at what your exported database includes:

• The export file contains all your content, such as blog posts, static pages, and any custom post types you’ve created (e.g., portfolios, testimonials). This ensures that every piece of content remains intact during restoration or migration.
• Every comment left by your site visitors is included, along with metadata such as the commenter’s name, email, URL, and the date and time they posted the comment. This helps maintain the integrity of discussions on your site.
• The database also stores important site configurations, including general settings (site title, tagline), reading settings (home page display), writing settings (default post category), and discussion settings (comment moderation rules). These settings are essential for keeping your site functioning as expected.
• Your entire user database is included, featuring details like usernames, passwords (hashed for security), email addresses, and user roles. This ensures that all your registered users, their roles, and capabilities are preserved.
• Categories, tags, and any custom taxonomies you’ve set up are part of the export. This helps in organizing your content and maintaining its structure when you restore or migrate your site.
• Many plugins store their settings and data in the WordPress database. Your export will include this information, ensuring that your plugins continue to work as configured after the database is restored or migrated.
• Theme options and customizations set up through the WordPress Customizer or theme settings panels are stored in the database. This keeps your site looking and functioning the same way once the database is restored.
• Although the actual media files (images, videos) are stored in the wp-content/uploads folder, your database contains attachment details like file URLs, alt text, and metadata. This ensures that media references in your posts and pages are maintained.
• Metadata includes extra information associated with your content, such as custom fields, SEO settings, and more. This metadata is crucial for preserving the additional layer of information that enhances the functionality and presentation of your content.

Final thoughts

There are many ways to export your WordPress database, and thankfully, most of them are straightforward. Whether you prefer backup plugins, command-line methods,  web-based interfaces like phpMyAdmin, or those provided by your hosting provider, you have several reliable options at your disposal. However, we highly recommend using BlogVault for its comprehensive suite of features.

BlogVault simplifies the entire process, ensuring that your backups and migrations are not only easy but also secure and efficient. With its user-friendly interface, automatic daily backups, and seamless migration capabilities, BlogVault stands out as the ultimate tool for managing your WordPress database.

FAQs

How do I export my WordPress database?

You can export your WordPress database using several methods, including phpMyAdmin, command-line tools such as SSH, or specialized plugins like BlogVault. phpMyAdmin allows you to navigate to the Export tab and select the appropriate options for export. Using SSH, you can execute the mysqldump command. BlogVault abstracts these complexities with a user-friendly interface for quick and efficient database exports.

How do I export a WordPress database to CSV?

To export your WordPress database to a CSV file, you can use phpMyAdmin. After logging into phpMyAdmin and selecting your database, go to the Export tab, choose the Custom export method, and select CSV as the format. Pick the tables you wish to include in the CSV file, then click the Go button to generate and download the file.

How to copy a WordPress database?

You can copy a WordPress database using phpMyAdmin or a tool like BlogVault. In phpMyAdmin, you first need to export the database by going to the Export tab and saving it as an SQL file. Then, import this SQL file into a new database by using the Import tab. With BlogVault, you can easily back up your database and restore it to a new location, effectively creating a copy of your database.

Can you export an entire WordPress site?

Yes, you can export an entire WordPress site, which typically involves exporting both the database and the site files. Plugins like BlogVault make this process simple by handling both aspects simultaneously. You can also manually export the database via phpMyAdmin and download your site files via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager.

How do I test the export?

Import the SQL file into a new database using phpMyAdmin or a local development environment like MAMP, WAMP, or XAMPP to test your database export with a local installation of WordPress. After importing, inspect the new database to ensure that all tables and data are intact. For a more comprehensive test, try restoring the export to a staging site to verify that everything works as expected, including posts, pages, and plugins.