map values from checkbox field into category field using SQL In a project I have a checkbox field called gradeLevels with 3 options (k-5,6-8, and 9-12). 

Due to design changes, I need to convert this field into a category field. I've made a new category with the same names (k-5,6-8, and 9-12), but I already have data in all of the entries that uses the old checkbox field.

I poked around in mysql and listed all the columns in craft_fields table, but I don't see the newly created categories field in the list, or any categories/entries field for that matter. I'm guessing associations are stored in a different manner?

Is there a possible way using mysql to map all the string values in the check box fields into the corresponding category in the categories field?
FeedMe plugin imports categories, so you could create an xml template file that outputs your entries and their checkbox values(separated by commas), then use FeedMe to import that file back in and map those checkboxes to your categories. They just have to match spelling, otherwise FeedMe will create a new category

FeedMe

Something like:

&lt;xml&gt;
  &lt;blog&gt;
    {% for entry in entries %}
      &lt;entry&gt;
        &lt;title&gt;{{ entry.title }}&lt;/title&gt;{# required for import #}
        &lt;category&gt;&lt;![CDATA[{% for option in entry.checkboxFieldHandle %}{{ option }}, {% endfor %}]]&gt;&lt;/category&gt;
      &lt;/entry&gt;
    {% endfor %}
  &lt;/blog&gt;
 &lt;/xml&gt;