How to Export Data from MySQL into a CSV File?

Are you having difficulty performing MySQL export to CSV operation because there is too much confusion? You have just landed at the right post. We give you an easy, stepwise guide in 5 different ways to do just that.

MySQL is offered under two different editions- the open-source MySQL community server and the proprietary Enterprise server. However, the raw format of MySQL export tables is supported by a limited number of applications. Therefore, it is often beneficial to export MySQL table to CSV format.

Methods to Perform MySQL Export to CSV

Performing MySQL export to CSV files is a common task carried out by database administrators and developers. In this guide, we share five different methods to export MySQL table to CSV file format. These methods include using command-line tools such as mysqldump, as well as using graphical user interfaces such as phpMyAdmin and MySQL Workbench.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which method to use largely depends on the specific requirements of the task at hand. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to successfully perform MySQL output to CSV file format, regardless of the method you choose.

• Using the command line
• Using mysqldump
• Using MySQL Workbench
• Using phpMyAdmin
• Using the CSV engine

1. Using Command Line

It is extremely easy to use the command line to perform MySQL export to CSV. You do not need to download any additional software. We have written an in-depth article also on MySQL export database command line.

You will also learn how to perform MySQL export to CSV using the command line under the following conditions:

• Exporting selected columns of a table
• Exporting tables with a timestamp
• Export with Column Headers
• Handling NULL Values

To be able to perform MySQL export to CSV, do as follows:

Step 1

• Navigate to the database which has the table you want to export using the following command:

USE dbName

Here, dbName must be replaced with the name of your database.

• If your MySQL server has been started with –secure-file-priv option, you must use:

SHOW VARIABLES LIKE "secure_file_priv"  

This command will show you the directory that has been configured. You can only store your output file in this directory.

Step 2

• Select all the data from the table and specify the location of the output file.

TABLE tableName 
INTO OUTFILE 'path/outputFile.csv'
FIELDS TERMINATED BY ','
OPTIONALLY ENCLOSED BY '"'
ESCAPED BY ''
LINES TERMINATED BY 'n';

• Make sure to use the .csv extension for your output file.
• The ORDER clause can be used to arrange the data according to a particular attribute.
• The LIMIT clause is used to restrict the number of rows to be copied into the output file.

a. Exporting Selected Columns of a Table

• To do this you can use the SELECT statement to specify the columns you want to export.
• You may additionally use the WHERE clause to use specific conditions and filter the results.

SELECT columnName, ….
FROM tableName
WHERE columnName = 'value';

b. Exporting Tables with a Timestamp

You may want to add a timestamp to the exported file, to do that you must use a MySQL prepared statement.

Use the following command to export to a CSV file, and add a timestamp for the time the file was created:

SET @TS = DATE_FORMAT(NOW(),'_%Y_%m_%d_%H_%i_%s');
SET @FOLDER = '/var/lib/sql-files/';
SET @PREFIX = 'employees';
SET @EXT    = '.csv';
SET @CMD = CONCAT("SELECT * FROM tableName INTO OUTFILE '",@FOLDER,@PREFIX,@TS,@EXT,
"' FIELDS ENCLOSED BY '"
' TERMINATED BY ',' 
ESCAPED BY '"'",
"LINES TERMINATED BY 'n';");
PREPARE statement FROM @CMD;
EXECUTE statement;

c. Export with Column Headers

It is often convenient to add column headers to the output file to better identify and analyze the data. To do this, you must use the UNION statement.
Use the following command to add column headers:

(SELECT 'columnHeading', ...)
UNION
(SELECT column, ...
FROM tableName
INTO OUTFILE 'path-to-file/outputFile.csv’'
FIELDS ENCLOSED BY '"' 
TERMINATED BY ','
ESCAPED BY '"'
LINES TERMINATED BY 'n')

d. Handling NULL Values

If your results contain NULL values, they will appear as ‘N’ in the exported file instead of NULL. This may lead to confusion and thus, you may want to replace this ‘N’ string with a string like NA (not applicable) that makes more sense.
Use the following command to do it:

SELECT column, column, IFNULL(column, 'NA')
FROM tableName INTO OUTFILE 'path-to-file/outputFile.csv'
FIELDS ENCLOSED BY '"'
TERMINATED BY ','
ESCAPED BY '"' 
LINES TERMINATED BY 'n');

2. Using mysqldump

mysqldump is a utility tool provided by MySQL server that enables users to export tables, databases, and entire servers. Moreover, it is also used for backup and recovery. Here, we will discuss how mysqldump can be used to perform MySQL export to CSV.

• Use the following command in a command prompt/terminal:

mysqldump -u [username] -p -t -T/path/to/directory [database] [tableName] --fields-terminated-by=,

• The given command will create a copy of the table specified by tableName at the location you define using the -T option.
• The name of the file will be the same as that of the table and will have a .txt extension. This marks the completion of MySQL export to CSV operation using mysqldump.

3. Using MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench provides an Import/Export Wizard which allows you to export our database/ tables to a specified format using a graphical user interface. The wizard supports JSON and CSV formats to be able to seamlessly perform MySQL export to CSV operation.

To download MySQL Workbench, click here. 

You can follow the given simple steps to operate MySQL export to CSV data transfer.

Step 1

• Use the left bar “schemas” tab to locate the table you want to export.

In this example, we will be exporting the employee’s table in the classic model’s database.

Step 2

• Right-click using your mouse on the table and select “Table Data Export Wizard” to get the following screen.
• Select the columns you want to export.

Step 3

• Click on Next.
• Browse to the directory where you want to save the output file.
• Choose the CSV format option.

Step 4

• Click on Next.
• Your data will start exporting.
• You can track the process through the logs.

 4. Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin provides a graphical user interface to export your MySQL table in different formats. Apart from CSV, it supports other formats such as XML, JSON, YAML, and many others. Using phpMyAdmin your users can output your tables in MySQL to CSV files, as depicted in the steps below.

To download phpMyAdmin, click here.

To use phpMyAdmin to export data, follow these steps:

Step 1

• Log in to phpMyAdmin using a user that has required permissions.
• Navigate to the database which contains the source table as shown.

Step 2

• Choose the table from the database.
• Click on Export in the top bar.

Step 3

• Choose the CSV format from the format dropdown menu. This marks the completion of MySQL export to CSV operation.

• Click on Go.
• Select the save file option when prompted. This step will export your MySQL to CSV format for seamless data integration and analysis.

5. Using CSV Engine

The CSV storage engine stores data in text files using comma-separated values format and is always compiled into the MySQL server. It is important to note that this method to perform MySQL export to CSV can only be used if the table does not have an index or an AUTO_INCREMENT constraint.

ALTER TABLE tableName ENGINE=CSV;

This command changes the format of the database to CSV. It can then directly be copied to another system easily. Before wrapping up, let’s take a look at the use of CSV as well.

Why CSV?

CSV is a standard and lightweight format with several benefits such as its simplicity, flexibility, and compatibility with a wide range of applications. Features of CSV are as follows:

• CSV stands for comma-separated value and is a widely accepted format.
• CSV files have the added advantage of being human-readable.
• Being plain text, they can easily be imported into any application.
• Better at organizing large data.

Performing MySQL export to CSV can be beneficial when dealing with large datasets. With CSV, you can effectively organize and navigate through extensive data sets, making it easier to extract meaningful insights and perform data manipulations.

Conclusion

You now have learned 5 methods to perform MySQL export to CSV in your arsenal. If you are comfortable with writing queries using the command-line or mysqldump utility tool will prove to be the simplest way.

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Have you used any of these methods for exporting MySQL to CSV? Have any further queries? Reach out to us in the comments section below.