# Create MySQL databases and import them with phpMyAdmin

> Create a database and user in cPanel or Plesk, connect your application, and import or export data with phpMyAdmin, including large dumps and collation errors.

Difficulty: Beginner

Most PHP applications, from WordPress to shops and forums, keep their data in a **MySQL or MariaDB** database. This guide creates one in **cPanel** or **Plesk**, connects your application to it and shows how to import and export data with **phpMyAdmin**.

## Before you start

- Your control panel login; see [log in to your control panel](/guides/log-in-to-your-control-panel).
- For an import: the `.sql` dump of your database, exported from the old host.

## Step 1: Create the database and its user

**cPanel**

1. Open **Manage My Databases** (or **Database Wizard**, which walks you through the same steps).
2. Under **New Database**, enter a name and select **Create Database**.
3. Under **Add New User**, create a user with a strong password (use the password generator).
4. Under **Add User to Database**, choose the user and the database, select **Add**, then tick **ALL PRIVILEGES** and save.

cPanel prefixes database and user names with your account name, for example `account_shop` and `account_shopuser`. Database names can have at most 63 characters, including the prefix.
**Plesk**

1. Open **Databases** and select **Add Database**.
2. Enter the database name and choose the database server (MySQL or MariaDB).
3. Create a database user with a strong password in the same form.
4. Select **OK**. The database list shows the connection details for your application.

## Step 2: Connect your application

Enter the details in your application's configuration file. For WordPress, these are the lines in `wp-config.php`:

```php
define( 'DB_NAME', 'account_shop' );
define( 'DB_USER', 'account_shopuser' );
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'the-strong-password' );
define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' );
```

Use `localhost` as the host unless your panel shows another database server.

**Verify:** the application opens without a database error.

## Step 3: Import data with phpMyAdmin

1. Open **phpMyAdmin** from your panel (cPanel: **phpMyAdmin**; Plesk: the **phpMyAdmin** link next to the database).
2. Select your database in the left column.
3. Open the **Import** tab, choose your `.sql` file (or a compressed `.sql.gz`) and select **Import** (or **Go**).

The page shows the maximum file size. It is set by the PHP limits `upload_max_filesize` and `post_max_size` of your hosting account.

**Verify:** the tables appear in the left column and phpMyAdmin reports that the import finished successfully.

## Step 4: Export data

Select the database, open the **Export** tab, keep the **Quick** method and the **SQL** format, and select **Export** (or **Go**). Keep the downloaded file in a safe place; for regular copies use the panel's backups as well ([back up and restore your hosting account](/guides/hosting-backup-restore)).

## Troubleshooting

**`#1044 - Access denied for user`.** The user is not linked to the database or lacks privileges. Repeat the last step of Step 1.

**`#1046 - No database selected`.** Select the database in the left column before you import.

**`#1062 - Duplicate entry` during import.** The database already contains the data. Import into an empty database, or drop the existing tables first if you are sure.

**`Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci'`.** The dump comes from MySQL 8 and the server runs MariaDB, which does not have that collation. Export again with a compatible setting, or replace `utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci` with `utf8mb4_unicode_ci` in the dump file before importing.

**The file is larger than the maximum.** Compress it (`gzip dump.sql`), split it, or ask us to help with the import. Raising the PHP upload limit ([PHP version and settings](/guides/hosting-php-version-settings)) helps only within your plan's limits.

**WordPress shows "Error establishing a database connection".** The details in `wp-config.php` do not match; see [fix WordPress errors](/guides/fix-wordpress-errors).

## Next steps

- Set the PHP version your application needs: [PHP version and settings](/guides/hosting-php-version-settings).
- Keep copies: [back up and restore your hosting account](/guides/hosting-backup-restore).

## Frequently asked questions

### Which database host do I use in my application?

Usually localhost, because the database runs on the same hosting server. If your panel shows a different database server address, use that one.

### Why does my database name have a prefix?

cPanel adds your account name and an underscore to every database and user, for example account_shop. Use the full name, with the prefix, in your application.

### My dump file is too big for phpMyAdmin. What now?

Compress it as .sql.gz, which phpMyAdmin imports directly, split it into smaller parts, or import it from the command line if your account has SSH access. Our team can also help with a large import.

### Can I connect to the database from my own computer?

Only if your panel offers remote database access for your plan. Allow only your own IP address, and prefer an SSH tunnel where SSH is available.

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Source: <https://hyperdc.com/guides/products/hosting-databases-phpmyadmin>\
Updated: 2026-10-15