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Importing databases with BigDump

Updated

Most databases are too large to import through phpMyAdmin. As an alternative, you can use BigDump. This tool processes the database in small chunks, allowing you to restore or migrate even very large SQL files without problems.

 

Database export

1. Log in to phpMyAdmin at your previous web host.

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2. Navigate to the database (not the table) that you want to export and click on 'Export'. Then check the following settings:

  • Choose the 'Custom - display all possible options' method (not "Quick").
  • All the tables that you want to export are selected.
  • The 'Save output to a file' option is checked.
  • The 'Compression' is set to 'None'.
  • The export is saved as SQL.
  • The 'Structure and data' option is checked. In the latest versions of phpMyAdmin, the Structure and Data options are no longer displayed as separate checkboxes under 'Format-specific options'.
  • The option 'Add DROP TABLE / VIEW / PROCEDURE / FUNCTION / TRIGGER' is checked.
  • Under 'Data creation options', 'Syntax to use when inserting data' has 'neither of the above' selected.

3. Click on 'Go' or 'Start'. A download prompt will appear with your database file. Save the file to a location where you can easily access it later.

 

Database import

1. Create a database for your backup and remember the database login details.

2. Download BigDump.

3. Extract the bigdump.php file and open it in a plain text editor, such as Notepad. Avoid using Microsoft Office or similar programs.

4. At the top of the file, locate the following (or a similar) section of code:

// Database configuration
  
$db_server   = 'localhost';
$db_name     = '';
$db_username = '';
$db_password = '';

Replace this section with the text below, make sure it is complete, and then save the changes.

// Database configuration
 
$db_server   = 'localhost';
$db_name     = 'database_name'; // Enter the name of the database you created in DirectAdmin here.
$db_username = 'database_user'; // Enter the username associated with this database here.
$db_password = 'password'; // Enter the password for the database user here.

5. Upload the edited bigdump.php file to your website's /public_html/ folder.

6. Also upload the previously exported SQL file to the /public_html/ folder.

7. Next, navigate to:

https://yourdomain.com/bigdump.php

Replace yourdomain.com with your own domain.

8. You will now see a list of files. Find the SQL file and click on 'Start Import'.

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9. When the import is complete, you will see the message “Congratulations: End of file reached, assuming OK." This confirms that your database was successfully imported. At this point, you can safely delete both bigdump.php and the SQL file from the /public_html/ folder.

If an error message appears instead, please contact us. Be sure to include the exact error message and the domain name so we can assist you more efficiently.