Converting MariaDB / MySQL database tables from MyISAM to InnoDB

Overview

As covered in our InnoDB and MyISAM comparison, InnoDB offers a number of advantages over the older MyISAM table format.

If you have an older website, some of your tables could still be using the MyISAM format. To determine what format your website is currently using, you can use our support article to determine what database format your website is using.

To convert to the newer InnoDB format, you can follow the instructions below. Alternatively, Conetix provides this at no cost for customers on Managed WordPress, Managed Joomla or Managed Drupal plans or a once-off $49 fee for all other customers.

Instructions

1. Login to the Conetix Control Panel or Plesk based server.
2. On the right hand side, click on Databases:
   
3. This will then display a list of databases. If you have more than one, you may need to verify which database is associated with your website (eg, by checking the wp-config.php or similar).
4. Within the database you wish to convert the tables for, click on PHPMyAdmin:
   
5. To determine the tables to convert and create the commands required, open the SQL editor:
   
6. Update the database name in the query below to generate a list of tables to convert:
   SELECT CONCAT('ALTER TABLE ',TABLE_NAME,' ENGINE=InnoDB;')
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES
WHERE ENGINE='MyISAM' AND table_schema = '<DATABASENAME>';
   
7. Click Go. This should generate an ALTER TABLE statement for each table to convert:
   
8. Copy all of the ALTER TABLE statements and place back into the SQL and click Go.
9. You should then receive a confirmation for each table that the conversion was a success:
   
10. Check your website for any errors (including reviewing the error logs) to confirm it’s working as expected.