How to Export or Import a PostgreSQL Database Using CSV, Excel, or Dump

With dbForge Studio, data migration becomes effortless, enabling developers to focus on higher-value tasks while ensuring data accuracy and operational efficiency. The Studio provides an easy way to quickly populate PostgreSQL databases with data from almost any external source.

Automating data export/import maintains consistency, reduces manual effort, and minimizes errors, when handling large volumes of data or repetitive tasks.

A salient feature of the PostgreSQL Import/Export tool, built into dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL, supports file transfer between the most frequently used data formats (TXT, XLS, XML, CSV, JSON, etc.) and allows saving templates for recurring export and import jobs.

With the tool, you can easily:

  • Migrate data from other servers
  • Customize import and export jobs
  • Save templates for recurring scenarios
  • Populate new tables with data
  • Export and import data to popular data formats
  • Automate and schedule data export and import from the command line

Supported file formats

MS Excel
MS Excel
SQL
SQL
HTML
HTML
JSON
JSON
XML
XML
CSV
CSV
ODBC
ODBC
DBF
DBF

How to export data from a PostgreSQL database

Data export is one of the most frequently used processes when working with databases. It can be a powerful and useful tool that allows database administrators to export tables and entire databases without much effort. There are many different ways to go about exporting data in PostgreSQL. Now, let us take a closer look at some of the most popular ones.

Using dbForge Studio to export data

pg_dump command to export PostgreSQL databases

pg_dump allows you to extract a PostgreSQL database into a script file or other archive file. It is used for backing up purposes. The basic syntax looks like this: 

pg_dump [connection-option...] [option...] [database_name]

In this syntax, database_name specifies the name of the database to be dumped. The rest of the options control the content and format of the output. For more information about the options, feel free to turn to the official PostgreSQL documentation.

Export Postgres database to SQL file

Export a PostgreSQL dump:
The easiest way

If you need to restore a PostgreSQL database from a dump, you do not necessarily have to deal with complex queries. Fortunately, there are modern tools like dbForge Studio that can shorten the Postgres dump and restore process to just a few clicks:

  1. Click Database and select Execute Large Script.
  2. The Execute Script Wizard opens.
  3. Choose the corresponding connection and database.
  4. Browse the SQL dump file that you are willing to execute.
  5. Select the SQL file encoding from the list.
  6. Click Execute.
Postgresql restore from dump

Export PostgreSQL data to CSV: An example

Exporting data from PostgreSQL to .csv has never been easier. The Studio will walk you through the process and do the majority of the work for you. In order to export only a part of the PostgreSQL data to a .csv file follow these three simple steps:

  1. Select the data that you are going to export.
  2. Right-click the selected area.
  3. Click Export Data.
Export data from PostgreSQL to CSV

PostgreSQL data export

PostgreSQL Export formats

PostgreSQL export to 14 widely used formats

The Data Export functionality helps tune the export operations as you see fit and export data from PostgreSQL to the most popular formats:

  • HTML
  • Text
  • MS Excel
  • MS Excel 2007
  • Google Sheets
  • MS Access
  • RTF
  • PDF
  • XML
  • JSON
  • CSV
  • ODBC
  • DBF
  • SQL

Data Export Wizard helps perform export tasks in just a few clicks.

Select data to be exported

Select data to be exported

When performing export tasks with the tool you can select

  • PostgreSQL Server connection
  • a database
  • a schema
  • table(s)

you want to be exported.

Thus, the tool makes it possible to transfer data across different servers and IDEs.
Customizable view

Set table grid options

With dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL, you can set table grid options for exported data.

You can configure:
  • Header text color and background
  • The width and color of borders
  • The text color and background of rows

For convenience, you can make even and odd rows look different.

Configurable data format

Configure data formats

By setting data format representation, you can encourage and deliver unified data standards within your company.

You can also assign data types for columns:
  • Integer
  • Date
  • Time
  • String
  • Float
  • Currency
  • DateTime
  • Boolean
Exporting rows

Select rows to be exported

It is not necessary to export the whole table. You can select to export all rows, export the selected rows only, or export the range of rows.

The selective export feature mitigates data transfer and greatly saves time.

Errors handling

Handle possible export errors

You can specify errors processing behavior and logging options:

  • Prompt a user for an action
  • Ignore all errors
  • Abort at the first error
You can also select to create a log file with a report and set a path to it.
Data Pump for SQL Server - Import Output

Save templates

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL allows you to save export options templates for recurring export scenarios.

Waste no time configuring options over and over again: use templates to apply options to any number of export jobs.

Data Export from the Command Line

Export data from the command line

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL supports the command-line interface can automate recurring tasks and enhance productivity, while reducing manual effort and the likelihood of errors.

  • Automate regular data export operations using pre-configured templates
  • Export data from multiple tables into a single file, or each table per individual file
  • Save the command-line settings as a .bat file for easy reuse
  • Schedule the batch file execution using Windows Task Scheduler

How to import data into a PostgreSQL database?

If you are working with Postgres, you might need a way to get your data into your database. Fortunately, there is more than one way to do that: there are many modern and convenient IDEs out there that can fulfill the needs of the pickiest users. Now, let us talk about some of the solutions.

Using dbForge Studio to import data

Load an import file using an IDE

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL stands in line with the most convenient and user-friendly tools that can be of use while importing SQL files:

  1. Right-click the table to fill it with imported data.
  2. Select Import Data.
  3. Select the file to import and specify its format.
  4. Click Import.
Import SQL file to PostgreSQl

Import a Postgres database from a CSV file

In dbForge Studio, you can import an entire database from a file to PostgreSQL. The algorithm for this process will look like this:

  1. Right-click the database to fill it with imported data.
  2. Point to Tools and select Import Data.
  3. Select the file to import and specify its format and click Next.
  4. Choose the existing tables as a destination for import.
  5. Click Import.
PostgreSQL Export Table to CSV

PostgreSQL data import

PostgreSQL import from 10 commonly used formats

With the Data Import functionality, you can import data from the most popular formats to PostgreSQL:

  • Text
  • MS Excel
  • MS Excel 2007
  • MS Access
  • Google Sheets
  • JSON
  • XML
  • CSV
  • ODBC
  • DBF

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL helps perform import jobs in just a few clicks.

PostgreSQL Export

Import to a new table

When performing a data import operation in the Studio, you can select to import to a different:

  • PostgreSQL Server connection
  • database
  • schema

You can also import data to a new or existing table.

Thus, the tool makes it possible to transfer data between different databases and servers.
Import to a new table

Customize import options

With the Data Import functionality, you can set import options according to your needs.

Custom settings depend on the data import format selected.

For convenience, you can set a range of rows or columns to be imported.

Customizable import options

Manage data formats

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL can help introduce and sustain data standards within your organization.

With the tool, you can adjust:
  • Null string
  • Thousand separator
  • Decimal separator
  • Date and Time format

You can set options for each column separately.

Configurable data format

Configure mapping options

Column mapping allows you to configure how your records should be stored in the target destination for maximum performance and efficiency.

If you are importing data into a new table, the tool will automatically create and map all the columns. If you are importing data into an existing table, the columns with the same names will already be mapped, the rest you can map manually.

Mapping Options

Choose a data import mode

With dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL, you can choose a data import mode according to the needs of your project:

  • Append
  • Update
  • Append\Update
  • Delete
  • Repopulate
You can also select to import data in a single transaction.
Data Import Modes

Manage data import output

With the tool, you can select options to manage the data import script output:

  • Open the data import script in the internal editor
  • Save the data import script to a file
  • Import data directly to the database.

The tool also allows to automatically add a timestamp to the file name and select a folder to save the file to.

Data Import Output

Handle possible import errors

With the Data Import functionality, you can customize error handling behavior and logging options according to the needs of your project.

Managing error processing helps significantly save database development, administration, and maintenance time.

Import Errors handling

Save import templates

The tool allows saving your import options as a template in order to speed up repetitive data import jobs. You can then re-use the template as many times as you want.

It is also possible to share templates with the team to save time and ensure data standardization.
Saving Import Templates

Import data from the command line

The tool supports the command-line interface that automates data import from tables or views into popular data formats.

  • Support reusable import templates to save and apply predefined import settings
  • Support scheduling and batch processing to automate repetitive data import tasks
  • Export data from multiple tables into a single file
  • Define error handling options, such as ignoring errors or stopping the operation on encountering an issue
Import data from the command line

Video tutorial:
How to export and import data in PostgreSQL databases

Check this video and see how you can import and export your SQL data effortlessly, with dbForge Studio at hand.

Conclusion

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL has advanced built-in features for exporting and importing data for different cases and scenarios. The data import and export functionality provided in the Studio significantly facilitates the migration of Postgres data between databases. Boost your productivity and accelerate your results with dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL. This IDE will help you with everything from connecting to a database and working with Postgres tables and views to dropping the ones that you do not need anymore.

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL

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Availability in the editions of dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL

Feature

Professional
Standard
Express
Data export to 14+ file formats
Yes
Yes
Partial Support
Data import from 10+ file formats
Yes
Yes
Partial Support

* CSV format has no restrictions for data export and import, for other formats only first 50 rows are processed. User templates are not supported.