Troubleshooting Incorrect Format Parameter Errors in PHPMyAdmin

As you try to import your production MySQL database into your local XAMPP test environment using PHPMyAdmin, you may encounter an error message indicating that a parameter is in an incorrect format. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if you're trying to troubleshoot the issue on your own.

The error message in question typically appears as follows: 'Error > Incorrect format parameter?' with no indication of which specific parameter is at fault.

To resolve this issue, it's essential to identify which parameter is causing the problem. In PHPMyAdmin version 4.8.1 (and possibly other versions), you can access the URL parameters by clicking on the 'Variables' tab located under the 'Status' section of your database. Here, you'll find a list of variables and their current values.

In this case, it's likely that one or more of these variables are set to an incorrect format. To correct the issue, you'll need to ensure that each variable is set correctly according to the PHPMyAdmin documentation.

For example, if you're using MySQL 4.6.6deb4 (which is compatible with MySQL 4.8.1), you may need to adjust the 'sql_mode' variable to reflect the correct settings for your database.

Another possible cause of the error is an incorrect PHP extension configuration. In this case, make sure that the necessary extensions such as mysqli, curl, and mbstring are installed and enabled in your PHP setup.

In addition to reviewing the URL parameters and PHP extensions, you may also want to check the server version and ensure that it's compatible with your PHPMyAdmin installation. For example, if you're using MariaDB 10.1.33, you'll need to ensure that your PHPMyAdmin installation is compatible with this version.

By following these troubleshooting steps and reviewing the URL parameters, PHP extensions, and server version, you should be able to resolve the 'Incorrect format parameter' error in PHPMyAdmin and successfully import your production MySQL database into your local XAMPP test environment.

Phpmyadmin url parameters