How to Import and Export WordPress Databases Using the Command Line

February 6, 2019 | by Marc Bacon

Importing and exporting MySQL databases using the command line is extremely easy. It is often more efficient to use the command line instead of a tool such as phpMyAdmin. This is especially true when managing a large number of websites. An existing database and database user is required before importing a database using the examples below. Instructions for creating a database can be found in my post about creating a database using the command line.

Below are examples for importing or exporting a database using traditional MySQL commands as well as magic WP-CLI commands.

Import or Export a WordPress Database Using MySQL Commands

Requirements

  • Access to your server via SSH
  • An existing database (to export) or a database dump file to import

In the examples below, replace USER with your database username and DATABASE with your database name.

Export

mysqldump -u USER -p DATABASE > database.sql

Import

mysql -u USER -p DATABASE < database.sql

Import or Export a WordPress Database Using WP-CLI

Importing and exporting a database can be even easier using WP-CLI. WP-CLI is the command-line interface for WordPress. These commands are extremely efficient as they utilize the database host, name, user, and password credentials set in wp-config.php.

Requirements

  • Access to your server via SSH
  • WP-CLI installed on your server
  • An existing database (to export) or a database dump file to import

Import With WP-CLI

wp db import database.sql

WP-CLI db import documentation

Export With WP-CLI

wp db export --add-drop-table

Note: I usually like any export I create to include statements to drop the table if it exists. This makes importing databases easier. The –add-drop-table in the above adds this option to the export file. Read more in the WP-CLI db export documentation.

Next Steps

The following related articles may also be helpful.