> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.digitalfyre.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing & Exporting a Database

You can import and export MySQL and PostgreSQL databases directly from Plesk — useful for migrations, backups, or moving data between environments.

## MySQL — via phpMyAdmin

### Exporting

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open phpMyAdmin">
    Go to **Databases** in Plesk and click the **phpMyAdmin** icon next to your database.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Export">
    Click the **Export** tab at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export">
    Leave the format as **SQL** and click **Export**. The file will download to your computer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Importing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open phpMyAdmin">
    Go to **Databases** in Plesk and click the **phpMyAdmin** icon next to your database.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Import">
    Click the **Import** tab at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose File">
    Click **Choose File**, select your `.sql` file, and click **Import**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Importing a database will overwrite existing data if table names conflict. Export a backup first if the database already contains data.
</Warning>

## MySQL & PostgreSQL — via Plesk

For both database types, Plesk provides built-in export and import tools as an alternative to phpMyAdmin.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Databases">
    Log in to Plesk and click **Databases** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Database">
    Click the name of the database you want to export or import.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export or Import">
    Use the **Export Dump** or **Import Dump** buttons to download or upload a database file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  For large databases, the Plesk dump method is more reliable than phpMyAdmin, which can time out on large files.
</Info>