Learn to change MySQL collation settings in phpMyAdmin

MySQL provides language flexibility with various character sets for data storage and processing. For operations like string comparison, MySQL uses collations to establish equality and sorting order rules. 

Adjusting collations is essential when working with specific character sets in string data. Utilize the phpMyAdmin tool in cPanel for this task.

Changing the default collation for a database

To modify the default collation for a database, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Open phpMyAdmin:

• For the Jupiter theme, navigate to the Tools page, and in the Databases section, click on phpMyAdmin.

• In the Paper Lantern theme, on the cPanel home page under the DATABASES section, click phpMyAdmin.

3. Open the phpMyAdmin administration page in a new window, then select the desired database by clicking its name in the left pane.

4. On the top menu bar, click Operations.

5. In the Collation section, choose your preferred collation for the database, then click Go.

It's important to note that this adjustment only applies to new tables; existing tables will retain their current collation settings.

Changing the collation for a table

To modify the collation for a database table, adhere to the following steps:

1. Access cPanel by logging in.

2. Access phpMyAdmin by following these steps:

• If you are utilizing the Jupiter theme, go to the Tools page, and within the Databases section, click on phpMyAdmin.

• If you are employing the Paper Lantern theme, navigate to the cPanel home page's DATABASES section and click on phpMyAdmin.

3. Open the phpMyAdmin administration page in a new window.

4. In the left pane, click the + icon next to the name of the database containing the desired table to expand and reveal the tables.

5. Click the name of the specific table you wish to modify.

6. On the top menu bar, select Operations.

7. Under Table options, navigate to the Collation list box, choose your preferred collation for the table, and click Go.