sqlmysqlrenamealter

Rename a column in MySQL

I am trying to rename a column in MySQL community server 5.5.27 using this SQL expression:

ALTER TABLE table_name RENAME COLUMN old_col_name TO new_col_name;

I also tried

ALTER TABLE table_name RENAME old_col_name TO new_col_name;

But it says:

Error: check the Manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version

Solution

  • Use this query:

    ALTER TABLE tableName CHANGE oldcolname newcolname datatype(length);

    The RENAME function is used in Oracle databases.

    ALTER TABLE tableName RENAME COLUMN oldcolname TO newcolname datatype(length);

    @lad2025 mentions it below, but I thought it'd be nice to add what he said. Thank you @lad2025!

    You can use the RENAME COLUMN in MySQL 8.0 to rename any column you need renamed.

    ALTER TABLE table_name RENAME COLUMN old_col_name TO new_col_name;

    ALTER TABLE Syntax:

    RENAME COLUMN:

    • Can change a column name but not its definition.
    • More convenient than CHANGE to rename a column without changing its definition.