# Migrating Access Databases to MySQL

The easiest way to migrate your Access database to MySQL is to export a MySQL-compatible SQL file using MDB Viewer and then upload this file using the wonderful Open Source app Sequel Pro.

For a general introduction to SQL files, see Exporting as SQL.

### Step by Step

In MDB Viewer:

- Click the "Export SQL" button if you want to export all tables or select some tables in the sidebar and choose "Export selected tables to SQL…" from the File menu
- Select the "MySQL" format, and choose whether to export data, structure, or both

In Sequel Pro:

- Connect to the MySQL server
- Select the target database from the database popup
- Select "Import…" in the File menu
- Open the SQL file created with MDB Viewer (using UTF-8 encoding)

### Access Types vs. MySQL Types

Access Type | MySQL Type
--- | ---
Boolean | BOOLEAN
Byte | INTEGER
Integer | INTEGER
Long Integer | INTEGER
GUID | TEXT
Decimal | DOUBLE
Money | DOUBLE
Float | DOUBLE
Double | DOUBLE
Date/Time | DATETIME
Text | VARCHAR
Memo | LONGTEXT
Ole | LONGBLOB

When exporting for MySQL, backticks are used to quote table and column names. Therefore table names containing spaces etc. work just fine.