Learn how to create a database in cPanel, set up a database user and grant the required permissions. You will also find the tools for managing existing databases.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to customers whose hosting with cPanel is managed on the new Webland platform (WHMCS).
Do you use Essential Hosting without cPanel? Follow the guide “Essential Hosting: Creating and Managing Databases”.
Do you use the System Configurator or Domain Manager? Sign in at classic.webland.ch. The steps below do not apply to the classic Webland platform.
Requirements
You have an active hosting service with cPanel and database functionality.
You have signed in to cPanel through the client area.
Your hosting plan has capacity for the database you want to create.
1. Open the database section
Open the Databases section in cPanel. Alternatively, use the cPanel search.
Depending on the available features, you will find:
Feature | Purpose |
Manage My Databases | Manage databases, database users and their permissions. |
Database Wizard | Set up a database and user through a guided process. |
phpMyAdmin | Manage tables and content in existing databases. |
Remote Database Access | Allow access from external devices or servers, if supported by your hosting. |
For guided setup, use Database Wizard. The steps below describe manual setup through Manage My Databases.
2. Create a database
Open Manage My Databases.
Under Create New Database, enter the desired database name.
Click Create Database.
Click Go Back to return to the overview.
The database appears under Current Databases.
If cPanel adds an account prefix, it forms part of the full database name. Always use the complete name displayed in cPanel when configuring your application.
3. Create a database user
On the same page, go to Database Users or Add New User:
Enter the desired username.
Set a long, unique password.
Enter the password again in the confirmation field.
Click Create User.
Store the full username, including any displayed prefix, and the password securely.
A database user is a separate login. Use these credentials in your application, not your Webland client area credentials.
4. Assign the user to the database
Creating the database and user is not enough on its own. You must grant the user access to the database:
Open Add User To Database.
Select the user and database.
Click Add.
Select the permissions your application requires.
Click Make Changes.
ALL PRIVILEGES grants all available permissions for the selected database. Use this option if your application requires it.
5. Manage existing databases and users
Under Manage My Databases, you will find:
Current Databases: Existing databases and their assigned users.
Current Users: Existing database users and password management options.
Modify Databases: Available tools for checking and repairing databases.
If you change a database name, username or password, update the corresponding settings in connected applications. Otherwise, your website or another application may lose its database connection.
6. Open phpMyAdmin
Return to the cPanel home page and open phpMyAdmin under Databases.
Select the relevant database to manage its tables and contents.
Continue to create databases and database users through Manage My Databases or Database Wizard so that cPanel associates them correctly.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
My application cannot connect to the database.
Check:
The full database name and username, including any prefixes.
The database user’s password.
The user’s assignment to the correct database.
The granted permissions.
The database server address specified for your hosting.
I cannot create another database.
Check whether you have reached your hosting plan’s database limit. Review the error message displayed.
I cannot find the database section or a particular feature.
Use the cPanel search to check whether the feature is available. If it is missing, contact our support team and specify your hosting plan.
phpMyAdmin does not open.
Sign out of cPanel and open it again through the Webland client area. If the problem continues, contact our support team and include the error message.
Do I need to create a database manually for WordPress?
If you install WordPress through an automatic installation tool in cPanel, the database and user are normally created during installation. Follow the steps in the relevant installation wizard.