---
name: "drop_table"
section: "7l"
platform: "linux"
package: "postgresql-client"
version: "7.2.1-2woody8"
release: "Debian 3.0 (Woody)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/drop_table/7l"
---

# drop\_table(7l)

remove a table

## NAME

DROP TABLE - remove a table

## SYNOPSIS

```
DROP TABLE name [, ...]

```

### INPUTS

- *name*

  The name of an existing table to drop.

### OUTPUTS

- **DROP**

  The message returned if the command completes successfully.

- **ERROR: table "***name***" does not exist**

  If the specified table does not exist in the database.

## DESCRIPTION

**DROP TABLE** removes tables from the database. Only its owner may destroy a table. A table may be emptied of rows, but not destroyed, by using **DELETE**.

If a table being destroyed has secondary indexes on it, they will be removed first. The removal of just a secondary index will not affect the contents of the underlying table.

### NOTES

Refer to **CREATE TABLE** and **ALTER TABLE** for information on how to create or modify tables.

## USAGE

To destroy two tables, films and  distributors:

```
DROP TABLE films, distributors;

```

## COMPATIBILITY

### SQL92

SQL92 specifies some additional capabilities for DROP TABLE:

```
DROP TABLE table { RESTRICT | CASCADE }

```

- **RESTRICT**

  Ensures that only a table with no dependent views or integrity constraints can be destroyed.

- **CASCADE**

  Any referencing views or integrity constraints will also be dropped.

  **Tip:** At present, to remove a referenced view you must drop it explicitly.