---
name: "DROP_ACCESS_METHOD"
section: "7"
platform: "linux"
package: "postgresql"
version: "18.6-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/DROP_ACCESS_METHOD"
---

# DROP\_ACCESS\_METHOD(7)

remove an access method

## NAME

DROP\_ACCESS\_METHOD - remove an access method

## SYNOPSIS

```
DROP ACCESS METHOD [ IF EXISTS ] name [ CASCADE | RESTRICT ]
```

## DESCRIPTION

**DROP ACCESS METHOD** removes an existing access method. Only superusers can drop access methods.

## PARAMETERS

IF EXISTS

Do not throw an error if the access method does not exist. A notice is issued in this case.

*name*

The name of an existing access method.

CASCADE

Automatically drop objects that depend on the access method (such as operator classes, operator families, and indexes), and in turn all objects that depend on those objects (see Section 5.15).

RESTRICT

Refuse to drop the access method if any objects depend on it. This is the default.

## EXAMPLES

Drop the access method heptree:

```
DROP ACCESS METHOD heptree;
```

## COMPATIBILITY

**DROP ACCESS METHOD** is a PostgreSQL extension.

## SEE ALSO

CREATE ACCESS METHOD ([**CREATE\_ACCESS\_METHOD**(7)](/CREATE_ACCESS_METHOD/7.md))