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Data Engineering
MySQL Basics
18. Import and Export Basics
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Data Engineering
May 2026×9 min read

Learn simple CSV import patterns, LOAD DATA, mysqldump backup, and restore commands for MySQL.

18. Import and Export Basics

Driptanil Datta
Driptanil DattaSoftware Developer

Import and Export Basics

Data engineering often starts with moving data in and out of databases. MySQL supports CSV-style imports and command-line backups.

Prepare a table for CSV import

CREATE TABLE customers_import (
  customer_id INT,
  first_name VARCHAR(50),
  last_name VARCHAR(50),
  email VARCHAR(100),
  city VARCHAR(100)
);

Example CSV shape:

customer_id,first_name,last_name,email,city
1,John,Doe,john.doe@example.com,Austin
2,Jane,Smith,jane.smith@example.com,Metropolis

LOAD DATA

LOAD DATA imports a file into a table.

LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE "/path/to/customers.csv"
INTO TABLE customers_import
FIELDS TERMINATED BY ","
ENCLOSED BY '"'
LINES TERMINATED BY "\n"
IGNORE 1 ROWS
(customer_id, first_name, last_name, email, city);

IGNORE 1 ROWS skips the header row.

Export with SELECT INTO OUTFILE

Some MySQL setups allow exporting query results to a file on the server.

SELECT customer_id, first_name, last_name, email, city
FROM customers
INTO OUTFILE "/tmp/customers_export.csv"
FIELDS TERMINATED BY ","
ENCLOSED BY '"'
LINES TERMINATED BY "\n";

This depends on server permissions and the secure_file_priv setting.

Backup with mysqldump

mysqldump is a command-line tool, not a SQL statement.

mysqldump -u root -p companydb > companydb_backup.sql

Back up one table:

mysqldump -u root -p companydb customers > customers_backup.sql

Restore from a dump

mysql -u root -p companydb < companydb_backup.sql

Import/export habits

  • Check column order before importing.
  • Import into a staging table first when the file is messy.
  • Validate row counts after import.
  • Keep backups before destructive migrations or bulk updates.
  • Never commit real credentials or sensitive dumps to source control.