Database Export Error
Asked by Thomas Reilly:

Good Afternoon,

I'm receiving the following error when I attempt to export the current database (I'm moving the database to a new server with a newer version of Confluence).

com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.ImportExportException: Couldn't backup database data. at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.impl.AbstractXmlExporter.backupEntities(AbstractXmlExporter.java:239) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.impl.AbstractXmlExporter.backupEverything(AbstractXmlExporter.java:104) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.impl.FileXmlExporter.backupEverything(FileXmlExporter.java:96) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.impl.AbstractXmlExporter.doExport(AbstractXmlExporter.java:97) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.impl.FileXmlExporter.doExport(FileXmlExporter.java:54) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.DefaultImportExportManager.exportAs(DefaultImportExportManager.java:122) at sun.reflect.GeneratedMethodAccessor3398.invoke(Unknown Source) at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:43) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:601) at org.springframework.aop.support.AopUtils.invokeJoinpointUsingReflection(AopUtils.java:307) at org.springframework.aop.framework.ReflectiveMethodInvocation.invokeJoinpoint(ReflectiveMethodInvocation.java:182) at org.springframework.aop.framework.ReflectiveMethodInvocation.proceed(ReflectiveMethodInvocation.java:149) at org.springframework.transaction.interceptor.TransactionInterceptor.invoke(TransactionInterceptor.java:106) at org.springframework.aop.framework.ReflectiveMethodInvocation.proceed(ReflectiveMethodInvocation.java:171) at org.springframework.aop.framework.JdkDynamicAopProxy.invoke(JdkDynamicAopProxy.java:204) at com.sun.proxy.$Proxy105.exportAs(Unknown Source) at com.atlassian.confluence.importexport.actions.BackupAction.execute(BackupAction.java:63) at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:168) at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:35) at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:165) at


Answers:
author: AnnWorley
body: If you are using MySQL this article could help: [Can't create XML backup due to backupEntities Couldn't backup database data](https://confluence.atlassian.com/confkb/can-t-create-xml-backup-due-to-backupentities-couldn-t-backup-database-data-776821980.html)

I am a little concerned that it sounds like you plan to import the XML backup into a newer version of Confluence. There are database schema changes between versions that can prevent smooth imports. As our [guide](https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/upgrading-confluence-4578.html) mentions:
> XML backups should not be used to upgrade Confluence.

Please use this method to move your existing instance to the new server: [Migrating Confluence Between Servers](https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/migrating-confluence-between-servers-184150.html) and then follow [Upgrading Confluence](https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/upgrading-confluence-4578.html) to upgrade. Or else upgrade in place and then move to the new server.