SQL DROP TABLE Statement

When a SQL table must be removed, use the SQL DROP TABLE statement.

For example, you may have a created a temporary table to stored a report. When the report analysis is complete, you may wish the "clean up" the database by removing the table.

Dropping tables have the benefit of:

• reducing confusion
• reducing disk space and resource requirements

The SQL DROP TABLE command is used as follows.

SQL DROP TABLE Statement Syntax

Before executing a DROP statement you may need or want to:

• Backup data
• Remove / drop dependent information such as constraints (foreign keys).

An error condition may occur for a DROP TABLE statement if there are existing constraints such as foreign keys that are dependent on the table.

SQL DROP TABLE Statement Example

The following example drops an existing table named PERSON.