In the previous tutorial, we looked at adding a new column after an existing column in MySQL. That tutorial showed you how to add a new column at any position in a table, except the first.

In this tutorial, we’re adding a new column to the beginning of a table using the ALTER TABLE … ADD COLUMN … FIRST syntax.

MySQL Series Overview

Adding a New First Column in a MySQL Table

MySQL allows you to add a new column to the beginning of a table. Use the ALTER TABLE … ADD COLUM query to add a new column. Then put the FIRST modified after the column name to make it the new, first column of that table.

Here’s an example of adding a new uuid column to the beginning of the table. This new uuid column pushes all other columns to their position:

ALTER TABLE users  
  ADD COLUMN uuid VARCHAR(50) FIRST;

You may add more than one column to your table and combine the positions as you want. For example, add a new column to the beginning and add another column after a given column in the table.

ALTER TABLE users  
  ADD COLUMN uuid VARCHAR(50) FIRST
  ADD COLUMN fullname VARCHAR(150) NULL AFTER lastname
  ADD COLUMN updatedon DATETIME;

The statement above adds the following fields to the users table:
- a new first uuid column - a fullname column after the existing lastname column - an updatedon column at the end, as the new last column in the table

That’s it!

Mentioned Resources

• Future Studio tutorial on adding a new MySQL column after an existing one