# Changing the MySQL collation settings in phpMyAdmin

> Change the collation of a MySQL database, table or column in phpMyAdmin to fix sorting, comparison or character errors.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/databases/changing-the-mysql-collation-settings-in-phpmyadmin/

**Collation** defines how MySQL sorts and compares text. It determines case sensitivity, accent sensitivity, and character set rules. Sometimes you may need to change collation to ensure consistent behavior across tables or to support specific languages.

## Why Change Collation?

- To fix errors when joining tables with different collations.
- To support special characters (e.g., accented letters, non‑Latin scripts).
- To enforce case‑insensitive or case‑sensitive comparisons.
- To standardize collation across a database.

## Changing Collation for a Database

1. Log in to **cPanel → phpMyAdmin**.
2. In the left sidebar, select the database.
3. Click the **Operations** tab.
4. Under **Collation**, choose the desired collation (e.g., `utf8_general_ci`, `utf8mb4_unicode_ci`).
5. Click **Go**.  This sets the default collation for new tables in the database. Existing tables are not automatically updated.

## Changing Collation for a Table

1. In **phpMyAdmin**, select the database → click the table.
2. Click the **Operations** tab.
3. Under **Table options → Collation**, select the new collation.
4. Click **Go**.  This updates the table’s default collation. Existing columns remain unchanged.

## Changing Collation for a Column

1. In **phpMyAdmin**, select the database → click the table.
2. Click the **Structure** tab.
3. Locate the column → click **Change**.
4. In the **Collation** dropdown, select the new collation.
5. Click **Save**.  This updates how MySQL stores and compares values in that column.

> **Note:**
- **utf8mb4_unicode_ci** is recommended for modern applications (supports full Unicode, including emojis).
- Changing collation does not automatically convert existing data; it only changes how MySQL interprets it.
- Always **back up your database** before making collation changes.
- Mixing collations across tables can cause query errors.