Add a new column to existing table in a migration

Question

I can't figure out how to add a new column to my existing database table using the Laravel framework.

I tried to edit the migration file using...

<?php

public function up()
{
    Schema::create('users', function ($table) {
        $table->integer("paid");
    });
}

In terminal, I execute php artisan migrate:install and migrate.

How do I add new columns?

Answer 1

To create a migration, you may use the migrate:make command on the Artisan CLI. Use a specific name to avoid clashing with existing models

for Laravel 3:

php artisan migrate:make add_paid_to_users

for Laravel 5+:

php artisan make:migration add_paid_to_users

You then need to use the Schema::table() method (as you're accessing an existing table, not creating a new one). And you can add a column like this:

public function up()
{
    Schema::table('users', function($table) {
        $table->integer('paid');
    });
}

and don't forget to add the rollback option:

public function down()
{
    Schema::table('users', function($table) {
        $table->dropColumn('paid');
    });
}

Then you can run your migrations:

php artisan migrate

This is all well covered in the documentation for both Laravel 3:

• Schema Builder
• Migrations

And for Laravel 4 / Laravel 5:

• Schema Builder
• Migrations

Edit:

use $table->integer('paid')->after('whichever_column'); to add this field after specific column.

Answer 2

I'll add on to mike3875's answer for future readers using Laravel 5.1 and onward.

To make things quicker, you can use the flag "--table" like this:

php artisan make:migration add_paid_to_users --table="users"

This will add the up and down method content automatically:

/**
 * Run the migrations.
 *
 * @return void
 */
public function up()
{
    Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
        //
    });
}

Similarily, you can use the --create["table_name"] option when creating new migrations which will add more boilerplate to your migrations. Small point, but helpful when doing loads of them!

Answer 3

If you're using Laravel 5, the command would be;

php artisan make:migration add_paid_to_users

All of the commands for making things (controllers, models, migrations etc) have been moved under the make: command.

php artisan migrate is still the same though.

Answer 4

You can add new columns within the initial Schema::create method like this:

Schema::create('users', function($table) {
    $table->integer("paied");
    $table->string("title");
    $table->text("description");
    $table->timestamps();
});

If you have already created a table you can add additional columns to that table by creating a new migration and using the Schema::table method:

Schema::table('users', function($table) {
    $table->string("title");
    $table->text("description");
    $table->timestamps();
});

The documentation is fairly thorough about this, and hasn't changed too much from version 3 to version 4.

Answer 5

laravel 5.6 and above

in case you want to add new column as a FOREIGN KEY to an existing table.

Create a new migration by executing this command : make:migration

Example :

php artisan make:migration add_store_id_to_users_table --table=users

---

In database/migrations folder you have new migration file, something like :

2018_08_08_093431_add_store_id_to_users_table.php (see the comments)

<?php

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;

class AddStoreIdToUsersTable extends Migration
{
    /**
     * Run the migrations.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function up()
    {
        Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {

            // 1. Create new column
            // You probably want to make the new column nullable
            $table->integer('store_id')->unsigned()->nullable()->after('password');

            // 2. Create foreign key constraints
            $table->foreign('store_id')->references('id')->on('stores')->onDelete('SET NULL');
        });
    }

    /**
     * Reverse the migrations.
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function down()
    {
        Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {

            // 1. Drop foreign key constraints
            $table->dropForeign(['store_id']);

            // 2. Drop the column
            $table->dropColumn('store_id');
        });
    }
}

---

After that run the command :

php artisan migrate

---

In case you want to undo the last migration for any reason, run this command :

php artisan migrate:rollback

---

You can find more information about migrations in the docs

Answer 6

you can simply modify your existing migration file, for example adding a column in your table, and then in your terminal typing :

$ php artisan migrate:refresh

Answer 7

this things is worked on laravel 5.1.

first, on your terminal execute this code

php artisan make:migration add_paid_to_users --table=users

after that go to your project directory and expand directory database - migration and edit file add_paid_to_users.php, add this code

public function up()
{
    Schema::table('users', function (Blueprint $table) {
         $table->string('paid'); //just add this line
    });
}

after that go back to your terminal and execute this command

php artisan migrate

hope this help.

Answer 8

First rollback your previous migration

php artisan migrate:rollback

After that, you can modify your existing migration file (add new , rename or delete columns) then Re-Run your migration file

php artisan migrate

Answer 9

Although a migration file is best practice as others have mentioned, in a pinch you can also add a column with tinker.

$ php artisan tinker

Here's an example one-liner for the terminal:

Schema::table('users', function(\Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint $table){ $table->integer('paid'); })

(Here it is formatted for readability)

Schema::table('users', function(\Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint $table){ 
    $table->integer('paid'); 
});