How can I view/modify data in my MySQL database?

phpMyAdmin is the primary tool for viewing, editing, and managing your MariaDB/MySQL databases on Ultra Web Hosting. It provides a web-based interface where you can browse tables, run queries, import and export data, and make changes without needing command-line access.

01. Accessing phpMyAdmin

1. Log into cPanel at my.ultrawebhosting.com
2. Go to Databases > phpMyAdmin
3. Select your database from the left sidebar. Your databases are prefixed with your cPanel username (e.g., username_dbname).

If you are not sure which database your site uses, check your site's configuration file. For WordPress, look in wp-config.php for the DB_NAME constant. For other applications, check their config file for database connection settings.

02. Browsing and Editing Data

After selecting a database, you will see a list of all its tables. Click any table name to view its contents.

• Browse - Shows the data in a paginated table format. You can sort by clicking column headers.
• Edit a row - Click the pencil icon next to any row to edit its values. Make your changes and click "Go" to save.
• Delete a row - Click the X icon next to a row. You will be asked to confirm before deletion.
• Insert a new row - Click the "Insert" tab at the top to add a new record to the table.

03. Running SQL Queries

Click the SQL tab (at the database level or table level) to run custom queries. This is useful for bulk operations that would be tedious to do row by row.

Example queries:

-- Find all WordPress posts with a specific title
SELECT * FROM wp_posts WHERE post_title LIKE '%keyword%';

-- Update a WordPress site URL
UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = 'https://newdomain.com'
WHERE option_name IN ('siteurl', 'home');

-- Count rows in a table
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM wp_posts WHERE post_status = 'publish';

04. Searching Your Database

phpMyAdmin has a built-in search feature:

1. Select your database from the sidebar
2. Click the "Search" tab
3. Enter your search term
4. Select which tables to search (or select all)
5. Click "Go"

This is especially useful for WordPress migrations when you need to find and replace old URLs throughout the database. However, for WordPress URL changes, we recommend using the WP-CLI search-replace command or a plugin like Better Search Replace, since WordPress stores serialized data that simple SQL find-and-replace can break.

05. Exporting Data

To download a copy of your database:

1. Select the database (or a specific table) from the sidebar
2. Click the "Export" tab
3. Choose "Quick" for defaults or "Custom" for options like compression and format
4. Click "Go" to download the SQL file

For importing data, use the "Import" tab and upload your SQL file. See How to Import Into a MySQL Database for details.

For backing up your entire database via cPanel (without phpMyAdmin), see How to Back Up Your Website.

06. Safety Tips

• Always back up before editing - Export the database or table before making changes
• Use SELECT before UPDATE/DELETE - Preview which rows will be affected
• Do not drop tables unless you are certain - Dropping a table deletes it and all its data permanently
• Be careful with WordPress wp_options - Changing siteurl or home incorrectly can lock you out of your site
• Do not edit the user table passwords directly - Use the application's password reset feature instead, as most apps hash passwords in specific ways

Quick Recap

1. Access phpMyAdmin from cPanel > Databases > phpMyAdmin
2. Click a table to browse, edit, or delete rows
3. Use the SQL tab for custom queries and bulk operations
4. Export before editing - There is no undo
5. Run SELECT first - Always verify your target rows before UPDATE or DELETE

Managing your databases with confidence · Last updated March 2026 · Browse all PHP/MySQL articles