When your database names follow patterns like test_db1 and test_db2, phpMyAdmin automatically creates collapsible groups (in this case named "test") in the left navigation panel. While this feature aims to organize related databases, many developers find it counterproductive for:

• Quick database switching during development
• Systems with many similarly-prefixed databases
• When precise database names are crucial

The most permanent solution involves modifying phpMyAdmin's configuration file. Locate your config.inc.php (typically in the phpMyAdmin installation directory) and add:

// Disable database grouping
$cfg['NavigationTreeDbSeparator'] = '';

For temporary changes (useful in shared environments), append this parameter to your URL when accessing phpMyAdmin:

http://your-server/phpmyadmin?server=1&db=&table=&separator=

Developers often encounter these issues during implementation:

• Forgetting to restart the web server after config changes
• Not clearing browser cache (grouping may persist visually)
• Overlooking multiple configuration files in different locations

After making changes, verify the solution worked by:

1. Refreshing phpMyAdmin completely (Ctrl+F5)
2. Checking that all databases appear at the root level
3. Confirming no grouping symbols appear between database names

When working with multiple databases that share common naming prefixes (e.g., test_db1, test_db2), phpMyAdmin automatically groups them under a collapsible parent node in the left sidebar (e.g., "test" group). While this feature helps organize large database collections, some administrators prefer a flat database list view.

The solution involves editing phpMyAdmin's configuration file (config.inc.php):

// Disable database grouping
$cfg['NavigationTreeDbSeparator'] = '';

For older phpMyAdmin versions (pre-4.0), you might need to use:

// Alternative approach for legacy versions
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['hide_db'] = '';

If managing multiple servers with different grouping preferences:

// Apply to specific server only
$cfg['Servers'][1]['NavigationTreeDbSeparator'] = '';
$cfg['Servers'][2]['NavigationTreeDbSeparator'] = '_'; // Keep grouping for this server

For more granular control over grouping behavior:

// Only group databases matching specific patterns
$cfg['NavigationTreeDbSeparator'] = '(?:(^|[^0-9]))(?=[0-9])';

After making changes:

1. Clear your browser cache
2. Restart your web server if changes don't appear immediately
3. Check phpMyAdmin error logs if the interface breaks

For Docker deployments, ensure you're modifying the correct config file as containers may have ephemeral filesystems.