How To Search And Replace Across The MySQL Database Via cPanel?

There are several scenarios where someone might need to edit or perform a search and replace operation on MySQL database tables. The reasons for editing MySQL database can be website migration, updating URLs, migrating to HTTPS, fixing errors, replacing content, etc.

To search and replace across a MySQL database via cPanel, follow these steps:

Step 1: Access phpMyAdmin in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel: Use your username and password to access your cPanel account.
2. Open phpMyAdmin: Scroll down to the “Databases” section and click on phpMyAdmin.

Step 2: Select the Database

1. Choose Your Database: In phpMyAdmin, locate the list of databases on the left-hand side. Click on the database where you want to perform the search and replace operation.
2. Backup Your Database (Optional but recommended): Before making any changes, it’s wise to back up your database. You can do this by selecting Export at the top menu and saving the file to your local computer.

Step 3: Execute the Search and Replace Query

1. Go to the SQL Tab: Once your database is selected, click the SQL tab at the top of the phpMyAdmin interface.
2. Enter the SQL Query: In the query box, enter the following SQL command and click the ‘Go’ button.

UPDATE table_name
SET column_name = REPLACE(column_name, ‘old_value’, ‘new_value’);

• Replace table_name with the name of the table you want to update.
• Replace column_name with the name of the column where the search and replace should occur.
• Replace 'old_value' with the text you want to search for.
• Replace 'new_value' with the text you want to replace it with.

For example, if you want to replace all instances of “oldsite.com” with “newsite.com” in the wp_posts table under the post_content column, the query would look like this:

UPDATE wp_posts
SET post_content = REPLACE(post_content, ‘oldsite.com’, ‘newsite.com’);

Clicking the Go button will execute the query. phpMyAdmin will now search for the old value and replace it with the new one.

Step 4: Review the Changes

1. Check the Results: After running the query, review your website or relevant database entries to ensure the search and replace operation works correctly.
2. Restore from Backup if Necessary: If something goes wrong, you can restore your database using the backup you created earlier.

Step 5: Repeat for Other Tables (If Necessary)

If you need to perform the search and replace across multiple tables or columns, repeat the process, adjusting the table_name and column_name values as needed.

Remember:

• To be cautious when performing database operations, as they can affect your website’s functionality.
• Always back up your database before making significant changes.
• Consider using a WordPress plugin like Better Search Replace for more complex or extensive search and replace operations, especially if you’re dealing with serialized data.