# SQL, how to update a table structure

> Learn how to change a SQL table structure with the ALTER TABLE command, adding a new column with ADD COLUMN or removing one with DROP COLUMN.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2020-04-01 | Topics: [Database](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/database/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/sql-update-table-structure/

We can alter an existing table structure using the `ALTER TABLE` command, followed by the alteration you want to make:

```js
ALTER TABLE people ADD COLUMN born_year INT;
```

This will add a new column with empty values:

```
 age |  name  | born_year 
-----+--------+-----------
  37 | Flavio |          
   8 | Roger  |          
```

To drop a column:

```js
ALTER TABLE people DROP COLUMN born_year;
```

This will result in:

```
 age |  name  
-----+--------
  37 | Flavio
   8 | Roger
```