Export your database for backup or migration.
Quick Method
- DirectAdmin → MySQL Management
- Click + icon next to database
- Choose format:
- Download as SQL - Plain text, larger
- Download as GZ - Compressed, smaller
Alternative: phpMyAdmin
More export options:
- MySQL Management → phpMyAdmin
- Select database
- Click Export tab
- Choose:
- Quick: All tables, SQL format
- Custom: Select specific tables/options
- Click Go
Export Formats
- .sql - Standard, works everywhere
- .sql.gz - Compressed SQL, smaller downloads
- .csv - For spreadsheets (phpMyAdmin only)
- .xml - For data exchange (phpMyAdmin only)
Large Databases
If download fails:
- Use .gz format (smaller)
- Export tables separately via phpMyAdmin
- Create backup via SSH if available
- Use DirectAdmin full backup instead
What's Included
- Table structure
- All data
- Indexes
- Not included: Users/privileges
File Sizes
- Empty database: ~1KB
- Small site: 1-10MB
- Medium site: 10-100MB
- Large site: 100MB+
