There is a wide choice of tools for working with MySQL databases. We recommend:

• phpMyAdmin
• SqlYog Community Edition
• the mysql command line
• the control panel at your ISP

You can easily backup (or 'export') the database using any GUI tool, including phpMyAdmin or SqlYog. Or you can use a MySQL utility called mysqldump from the command line.

To backup a database named 'browsercrm' run:

mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] browsercrm > browsercrm_dump.sql
(there must be no space between -p and the password)

Or, to backup and zip as a gzip file:

mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] browsercrm | gzip > browsercrm_dump.sql.gz

See the MySQL manual for mysqldump

If you are on a Webhost or ISP and don't have shell access, your ISP will likely have a control panel section for making and downloading MySQL backups.

To restore a database from a file 'browsercrm_dump.sql' to a database 'browsercrm' run:

mysql -u [username] -p[password] browsercrm < browsercrm_dump.sql

there must be no space between -p and the password.

Or, to restore from a gzip file:

gunzip browsercrm_dump.sql.gz
mysql -u [username] -p[password] browsercrm < browsercrm_dump.sql