Django change Model's field type from CharField to JSONField

Question

I am using Django 1.11 , I have been using CharField in Models, and dumping data in it using json.dumps(). I am using mysql database.

I want to change CharField to JSONField, according to this answer. Is there any way so that I can modify my field type without loosing the data?

Please note that the data in CharField is json dumped.

What? Django has had migrations built in since 1.7. How have you created your database without using them? — Daniel Roseman, Mar 14 '18 at 10:03
Obviously I am using them, i didn't get what you want to know. — Rakmo, Mar 14 '18 at 10:04
You asked how to change the type of a field. That is what migrations are for. — Daniel Roseman, Mar 14 '18 at 10:05
Is it safe to change to JSONField from CharField ? I won't loose any data for sure? — Rakmo, Mar 14 '18 at 10:08
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](https://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/166808/discussion-between-omkar-deshpande-and-daniel-roseman). — Rakmo, Mar 14 '18 at 10:09
Well, I'm pretty sure it will be OK, but that's why I said to try it. Run it on development and see what happens. — Daniel Roseman, Mar 14 '18 at 10:09

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 14 '18 at 10:54

If you want to completely control the process write custom migration:

1) add new field of type JSONField null=True

3) check everything was copied ok

4) remove old field

5) handle field rename eventually

1 Answers1