---
title: "Import a database"
url: "https://inleed.com/helpcenter/import-database"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-11-06"
category: "Web hosting"
type: "guide"
---

# Import a database

Load an SQL file into a database on your hosting, for example when you move a website here. You do it in DirectAdmin or in phpMyAdmin.

## Before you start

- The database must exist. Create it first if it doesn’t.  
  [Create a database and a database user](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/create-database)
- Tables with the same name are overwritten. Export the database first if it holds anything you want to keep.  
  [Export a database](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/export-database)

## How to import it

### A. In DirectAdmin

The shortest way.

1. Log in to [DirectAdmin](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/log-in-to-directadmin), open **Databases** and click **Manage** next to the database.

2. Choose the SQL file under **Import** and start the import.

### B. With phpMyAdmin

When the file is 64 MB or smaller.

1. Log in to [DirectAdmin](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/log-in-to-directadmin), open **Databases** and click **phpMyAdmin**.

2. Click the database in the list.

3. Open the **Import** tab.

4. Choose the file under **Browse your computer**.

   The file can be at most 64 MB.

5. Click **Import**.

## How to know it worked

The tables show under the database in phpMyAdmin.

## Good to know

- Is the file too big? Upload it to your hosting and ask [support](mailto:support@inleed.se) to import it.
- Does the database come from another website? Check that the website’s settings have the right database name, user and password.  
  [My website can’t connect to the database](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/cant-connect-to-database)

## Related guides

- [Export a database](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/export-database)
- [Create a database and a database user](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/create-database)
- [Move a WordPress site to Inleed](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/move-wordpress-to-inleed)