Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a web-based tool for working directly with your MySQL databases. From here you can browse tables, run SQL queries, and edit individual rows — all without installing anything on your computer.

Opening phpMyAdmin

Log into cPanel.
In the Databases section, click phpMyAdmin.
phpMyAdmin opens in a new tab, already signed in with your account's database privileges.

Note phpMyAdmin only shows databases that belong to your cPanel account. You do not need to enter a separate username or password — cPanel logs you in automatically.

Navigating the Left Pane

The panel on the left lists every database on your account. Click a database name to expand it and reveal its tables. Click a table to select it and load its structure and data in the main area on the right. The breadcrumb at the top of the page always shows where you are, for example Database » Table.

Browsing Data

With a table selected, click the Browse tab to see its rows. phpMyAdmin shows the data in a familiar grid:

Use the page controls at the bottom to move through large tables.
Click a column header to sort by that column.
Click Edit beside any row to change its values, or Delete to remove it.

Running SQL Queries

The SQL tab lets you run any query directly. Select a database or table first so the query runs in the right place, then type your statement and click Go. For example:

SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = 'siteurl';

Results appear below the query box. Update and delete statements report how many rows were affected.

Tip Add a LIMIT clause when exploring a large table so you do not load thousands of rows at once, for example SELECT * FROM wp_posts LIMIT 50;.

Searching, Editing, and Inserting Rows

phpMyAdmin gives you point-and-click tools for the most common tasks:

Search — With a table selected, click the Search tab to find rows matching a value without writing any SQL.
Edit — From the Browse view, click Edit on a row, change the fields, and click Go to save.
Insert — Click the Insert tab to add a new row by filling in each column.

The Operations Tab

The Operations tab (available on both databases and tables) handles maintenance jobs such as renaming a table, changing its storage engine or collation, copying a table, and running table checks. It is also where phpMyAdmin exposes Check table, Repair table, and Optimize table — see Repairing & Optimizing Databases.

Exporting and Importing

The Export and Import tabs let you download a database to a SQL file and load one back in. Because there are a few options worth understanding, we cover this in detail on its own page: Importing & Exporting Databases.

Warning Edits you make in phpMyAdmin are applied to your live database immediately and cannot be undone. There is no confirmation step for a saved change. Always export a backup of the database before editing rows or running an update or delete query.