Making connection to a CiviCRM Database on a new WP site on same host / server

[databell]

I have a client who has a CiviCRM install on their host and I'm currently redesigning their site on the same host and the same server and the same user account. Only difference is this is a fresh WP install in another folder with a new WP database.

I installed the CiviCRM plugin successfully. I go to Settings-->CiviCRM Installer Check Requirements and everything seems to be good, but now it wants me to install CiviCRM and this is where I'm a bit afraid. My feeling is if I click that button, it will overwrite all the data in my database and start from scratch. I'm new to Civi, so I'm wondering is that what is about to happen? And if so, how can I avoid it? I can create another DB, but why not use the pre-existing one?

[Hershel]

You should not use the same CiviCRM DB b/c two different WordPress installs connecting to the same CiviCRM can cause problems. I would create a fresh database and install a fresh, empty CiviCRM just for testing.

For the record, however, reinstalling won't overwrite any data--it would tell you that the tables already exist and stop there.

[databell]

Good to know. Kind of frustrating I have to create the new DB. I suppose I could import the data into it?

[Hershel]

Yes you could do that.