Sometimes you need to change some text in a MySQL table. For example, imagine you want to correct a spelling mistake or a reference in all your WordPress posts without having to change them one by one.
Here’s how to do it with a raw SQL command. This works only on a single table – repeat this for each table:
update `wp_posts` set `post_content` = replace(post_content, 'Old Text', 'New Text')
Note the use of standard ticks and back ticks here. First we’ll select the table in question (in this case wp_posts), then we’ll issue the find and replace query by selecting the column in the table (post_content), followed by the replace command.
As soon as MySQL comes back all references will have changed from “Old Text” to “New Text”.
Careful here: there is no undo function! Once executed, all changes are live instantly. Make a backup copy of your database before you do anything!