How to Access phpMyAdmin and Manage Your Databases

Most website applications — WordPress, Joomla, custom PHP apps — store their content in a MySQL database. Plesk includes phpMyAdmin, a free web-based tool for managing that database directly.

1. Create a Database

1. Log into Plesk and go to Databases.
2. Click Add Database.
3. Enter a database name and click OK — Plesk automatically creates a matching database user for you, or you can set a custom username and password.

Save the database name, username, and password somewhere safe — most applications (like WordPress) ask for these during their installation process.

2. Opening phpMyAdmin

From the Databases screen, click the phpMyAdmin icon next to your database. You'll be logged in automatically, without needing to re-enter your database password.

3. Common Tasks in phpMyAdmin

• Browse data: click a table name on the left to view its rows.
• Run a SQL query: use the SQL tab to run custom queries directly.
• Export (backup): select your database, click Export, choose "Quick" and format "SQL," then download.
• Import: select your database, click Import, choose your .sql file, and click Go.

4. Best Practices

• Export a backup of your database before making any manual changes to table data.
• Use a unique, strong password for each database user — never reuse your Plesk password.
• For WordPress sites specifically, consider a dedicated backup plugin in addition to manual exports for scheduled, automated backups.