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Start your free trialJames Ingmire
11,901 PointsMoving an already existing database to a Wordpress.org site?
Is it possible and if so are there any links to a tutorial?
Thank you in advance.
5 Answers
Joe Hirst
Courses Plus Student 6,489 PointsHi James,
Is the existing database a WP database, or just a pre existing one that you’re trying to put into your Wordpress install?
Matt Campbell
9,767 PointsThis isn't going to work. The database keys aren't going to be the same as those generated by WordPress so it's not going to happen.
You're going to have to convert the old database into a WordPress database which means changing over the all the keys to match what WordPress will want to see.
James Ingmire
11,901 PointsThis take a while i'am guessing? Around 700 members in the old database. Do you know of any articles available to read regarding the process, or would you recommend not using WordPress and learn about databases from scratch, I've got a few months before building begins, if so again do you know any good places to start to gain the knowledge to do this kind of stuff, Treehouse?
Thanks for reply.
Matt Campbell
9,767 PointsIf you don't want to input the information again, you have two choices:
1) Build something custom revolving around the custom database structure.
2) Work out what WordPress will and can use, delete what it won't and can't and then run search and replaces converting what's left into the corresponding WordPress format. You'll need to know your way around mySQL and have some patience, back up after every run and do it a little at a time.
James Ingmire
11,901 PointsJust a pre existing one. Thanks
Joe Hirst
Courses Plus Student 6,489 PointsOkay, gotcha!
Assuming you have the database downloaded, if you navigate to your “phpMyAdmin” through your web host or localhost and log in (Depending on where you are working). You should have a list of databases in front of you.
From here, you can either edit, change, create a database etc.. Click the “databases” tab (it should be one of the first tabs at the top of your phpMyAdmin page) you should see the option to create a new database now. Go ahead and create a new database. After that, click the database you have just created in the list below the “create a database” area.
Now, you will be inside your new database. from here you can select “import” and follow the import instructions for the database you are importing to Wordpress.
While i’m not 100% sure what your overall goal is with this database, I may be able to help you further depending on your needs. I hope this at least helps you get your database where it needs to be.
Here is a comprehensive link to transferring databases in Wordpress, it might be of further help.
James Ingmire
11,901 PointsThanks very much yea that's some good info and can work with the process you described. Ultimate goal is to create a new WordPress site with the existing customers from the old non wp-site. So presume once the database is connected then i can use a plugin on the site to connect the two, first time properly using wp so bit of a beginner on this one:( Many thanks again.
James Ingmire
11,901 PointsHi Colin, just user and password details. Thanks
Colin Marshall
32,861 PointsColin Marshall
32,861 PointsWhat is in the database that you wish to use with WordPress? Users? Posts?