Importing a Large SQL File in TablePlus and Sequel Ace (Mac)
The two most popular Mac database GUIs both stall on big dumps. The import-from-file trick for each, and when to just use the CLI they ship with.
TablePlus and Sequel Ace are the go-to MySQL GUIs on macOS. Both are happy with everyday queries and both choke when you paste a huge dump into a query tab. The trick is the same in each: import from the file, never paste.
TablePlus
- Connect to your database and select it
- File → Import → From SQL Dump… (or right-click the database → Import)
- Choose the .sql file — TablePlus streams it rather than loading it into a query editor
- Watch the progress bar; let it finish without switching tabs
Pasting hundreds of MB into the editor will hang the app. Always use File → Import → From SQL Dump so it reads from disk.
Sequel Ace
- Select the target database in the sidebar
- File → Import…
- Pick the .sql file and confirm the encoding is UTF-8 (utf8mb4)
- Sequel Ace reads the file directly — leave it running until complete
Sequel Ace is the maintained successor to Sequel Pro; if you're still on Sequel Pro, the import dialog is the same but it struggles more with very large files and newer MySQL auth.
When the GUI still gives up
For multi-GB dumps, drop to the command line — it's faster and won't run out of app memory:
mysql -u root -p your_database < ~/dump.sqlOr split it for the GUI
Break the dump into smaller files each GUI can import comfortably, in order.
Open SQLSplitFrequently Asked Questions
How do I import a large SQL file in TablePlus?
Use File → Import → From SQL Dump and select the .sql file from disk. Don't paste a large dump into a query tab — that loads it into memory and hangs the app. The import dialog streams the file instead.
Why does Sequel Ace freeze on a big import?
Pasting the SQL into a query window loads it all into memory. Use File → Import and point it at the file so it reads from disk. For multi-GB dumps, the mysql command line is more reliable.
Is Sequel Ace better than Sequel Pro for large imports?
Yes. Sequel Ace is the actively maintained successor and handles modern MySQL authentication and larger files better than the now-unmaintained Sequel Pro.