MySQL Results to a File

Question

How do I write the results from a mysql query to file? I just need something quick. Output can be CSV, XML, HTML, etc.

Answer 1

SELECT a,b,a+b 
  FROM test_table
  INTO OUTFILE '/tmp/result.txt'
  FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' OPTIONALLY ENCLOSED BY '"'
  LINES TERMINATED BY '\n'

(the docs show INTO OUTFILE up in the SELECT .. portion which may work as well, but I've never tried it that way) http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/select.html

INTO OUTFILE creates a file on the server; if you are on a client and want it there, do:

mysql -u you -p -e "SELECT ..." >  file_name 

Answer 2

if you have phpMyAdmin installed, it is a nobrainer: Run the query (haven't got a copy loaded, so I can't tell you the details, but it really is easy) and check neer bottom for export options. CSV will be listed, but I think you can also have SQL if you like :)

phpMyAdmin will give CSV in Excels dialect, which is probably what you want...