---
title: "How to Export a Database using phpMyAdmin"
description: "When you export a database, you are creating a backup file of the database. This backup file is usually a .sql file (a text file), and can be used to copy and import the database onto another server...."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/server/databases/export-database-using-phpmyadmin/
date: 2011-12-07
modified: 2021-08-16
author: "Brad Markle"
categories: ["Working with Databases"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Export a Database using phpMyAdmin

When you **export** a **database**, you are creating a backup file of the database. This backup file is usually a .sql file (a text file), and can be used to copy and [import the database](/support/server/databases/import-database-using-phpmyadmin/) onto another server. In this article we’ll show you how to export your database.

1. **Log into phpMyAdmin** If you are an InMotion Hosting customer: [Log into your cPanel](/support/edu/cpanel/how-to-log-into-cpanel/) and click the **phpMyAdmin** icon under the *Databases* heading. If you are not an InMotion Hosting customer and do not use cPanel, please contact your hosting provider for more help.
2. [![Select database to export](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-db-1024x491.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-db.png) Click on the database you are working with in the left menu
3. [![Click on Export option](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-export.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-export.png) Click **Export** in the tabs along the top of the screen.
4. [![Export method](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-export-type.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-export-type.png) The export option that we are providing instructions for is the **Quick** method. Click on the radial button for **Quick**. If you want more complete control, then click on **Custom**. You will need to be familiar with the exporting MySQL databases in order to use these options. If you are not, then please consult with an experienced database administrator or developer.
5. [![Select the file format](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-file-format.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_select-file-format.png) Next, you will need to click on the format of the export file. By default, it should be on **SQL**, so you don’t need to change anything.
6. [![Click on go](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_click-on-go.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phpmyadmin_export_click-on-go.png) Click on the **Go** button in order to perform the export.
7. You will be prompted to either open or save the file. Please select the option to save the file and then save the somewhere you’ll remember (such as directly on your desktop).

Congratulations, you have just exported a copy of your database!