Database Search & Replace

[davecoveney]

We've just released our search and replace tool (which was available unofficially for some while from my personal site) which allows you to search and replace any content within your WordPress database.

This is especially useful for anything stored in a widget or settings which will generally be in a serialized array, stored on the database.

It will also be handy if you, for example, change your phone number and need to change all instances across your site.

Incidentally - this is a tool that's rather like a very very sharp knife - incredibly useful, but there's a good chance that careless use could lead to a lot of damage. Treat it with respect and care!

Read more and download the WordPress Database Search and Replace Tool.

[Rarst]

I always wondered why isn't there simple way to do this. Old links getting broken and such - it makes plenty of sense.

Thanks for releasing it, I am sure it will see plenty of use. :)

[andrea_r]

I know I'll be pimping it out all over the place.

one question: is is WP specific or will it find MU tables too? (haven't looked yet)

[mfields]

Just pimped it over in the WordPress Support Forums. Looks like a keeper! Love the disclaimer BTW :)

[davecoveney]

@andrea+r Thanks :o)

We've not tested it yet on a MU install, but I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work in MU, and I used it's predecessor (that didn't pick up config from wp-config.php) on quite a few MU sites.

@rarst @mfields - thanks guys :o) I just hope it doesn't break too many databases! And of course, we've not tested it on any of the madder encodings out there. Should work, but no promises.... One chap has submitted some code which may help on some things, but we need to check and test it before it can go out and there's only enough time in a day.

[andrea_r]

Yeah, I figured it probably would. Seems like a good one for the MU crowd as well. There's frequent cases of doing search & replace on the db in some cases, so... BONUS. :D

[davecoveney]

The only thing to remember is that for migration you have to do several search and replace runs - especially on MU.

I've documented it to some degree, as you know, and at some point I'll probably write some kind of single click migration tool.