When working with phpMyAdmin 3.4.3, many users encounter a frustrating scenario: after executing a complex query that filters and groups data (e.g., reducing 30K rows to 7K via GROUP BY), the export function unexpectedly exports the original unfiltered dataset instead of the query results.

The root cause lies in how phpMyAdmin's export feature traditionally works - it exports table data rather than query results. This behavior becomes problematic when:

• Running aggregation queries (COUNT, SUM, GROUP BY)
• Applying complex WHERE conditions
• Using JOIN operations that modify the result set

For non-coders, here's the step-by-step workflow:

1. Execute your query in the SQL tab
2. After results appear, look for the "Query results operations" panel below
3. Click "Export" (not the main Export tab!)
4. Select CSV format and configure options:

   Format: CSV
   Columns separated with: ,
   Columns enclosed with: "
   Columns escaped with: \
   Lines terminated with: Auto
   Replace NULL with: NULL
   

5. Check "Save as file" and click Go

To persist the filtered data as a new table:

CREATE TABLE filtered_results AS
SELECT [your_columns], COUNT(*) as count
FROM original_table
WHERE [your_conditions]
GROUP BY [your_grouping_columns];

Then export this new table normally via phpMyAdmin's Export tab.

• For large exports, increase PHP memory limits in php.ini
• If timeout occurs, try exporting in smaller chunks using LIMIT
• Verify character encoding matches your database collation

For advanced users needing more control:

// PHP script alternative
$result = mysqli_query($conn, "SELECT [...]");
$fp = fopen('export.csv', 'w');
while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    fputcsv($fp, $row);
}
fclose($fp);

Many developers face this frustrating scenario: after crafting a complex query that filters a large table down to a manageable subset, phpMyAdmin keeps exporting the ENTIRE original table instead of just your filtered results. This happens specifically in phpMyAdmin 3.4.3 when:

• Working with tables containing 10K+ rows
• Using GROUP BY, WHERE, or other filtering clauses
• Trying to export through the GUI interface

The export function in older phpMyAdmin versions sometimes references the base table rather than your current query results. Here's what's happening behind the scenes:

// What you expect:
EXPORT (SELECT * FROM big_table WHERE conditions LIMIT 7000)

// What actually happens:
EXPORT (SELECT * FROM big_table) // Ignores your filters!

Follow these precise steps in phpMyAdmin 3.4.3:

1. Execute your query in the SQL tab
2. After results appear, look for "Query results operations" below the results grid
3. Click "Export" (not the main Export tab!)
4. Select CSV format
5. Check "Save generated file"
6. Uncheck "Put columns names in the first row" if not needed

For developers who need more control, here's a PHP script template:

// Replace these with your actual credentials
$connection = mysqli_connect("localhost","user","password","database");

// Your exact query from phpMyAdmin
$query = "SELECT grouped_field, COUNT(*) 
          FROM large_table 
          WHERE conditions 
          GROUP BY grouped_field";

$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

// CSV headers
header('Content-Type: text/csv');
header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="filtered_export.csv"');

// Output CSV
$output = fopen('php://output', 'w');
while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    fputcsv($output, $row);
}
fclose($output);

When dealing with 30K+ row tables:

• Increase PHP memory_limit to at least 128M
• Set max_execution_time to 300 seconds
• For very large exports, consider using mysqldump instead

In phpMyAdmin's SQL tab, you can run:

CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE filtered_results AS
SELECT grouped_field, COUNT(*) as count
FROM large_table
WHERE your_conditions
GROUP BY grouped_field;

Then export this temporary table normally through the Export tab.