Adding a new column to a MySQL table will put it at the end of the table. When adding a new column to a table you sometimes want to place it at a given position, next to an existing column in the table.

MySQL allows you to place a new column after an existing one using the AFTER <column-name> syntax. Read on to get more details.

MySQL Series Overview

Add a New Field After an Existing Column in a MySQL Table

Use the ALTER TABLE … ADD COLUMN syntax in MySQL to add a new column. This command supports the AFTER keyword telling MySQL to add a new column after an existing one.

Here’s a sample SQL query that adds a new fullname column after the existing lastname:

ALTER TABLE users  
  ADD COLUMN fullname VARCHAR(150) NULL AFTER lastname;

You can add multiple columns in a single statement and combine the creation with the AFTER syntax as well. Every new column defines their position using AFTER:

ALTER TABLE users  
  ADD COLUMN uuid VARCHAR(50) NULL AFTER id
  ADD COLUMN fullname VARCHAR(150) NULL AFTER uuid;

That’s it!