How to add one column to a DB table with Laravel migrations?

Question

I'm using Laravel migration files to help set up a MariaDB schema for my project. It works fine for the initial table setup of the schema, but after it has been created, how (if it's even possible at all) can I add one field to a migration file and have just that one field be created in the DB without affecting any of the existing fields/data?

As an example, let's say I have an up method like the following:

public function up()
{
    Schema::create('test_table', function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->increments('id');
        $table->string('name');
        $table->timestamps();
    });
}

And then I want to add a desc field as follows:

public function up()
{
    Schema::create('test_table', function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->increments('id');
        $table->string('name');
        $table->string('desc')->nullable();
        $table->timestamps();
    });
}

If I run php artisan migrate after adding the desc field, will it work as intended, or will it mess up pre-existing stuff? I'm afraid to try without knowing what will happen, and I wanted to check first.

Also, I tried looking at the Laravel documentation for an answer to this question (https://laravel.com/docs/5.7/migrations), but couldn't find anything relevant.
Thanks.

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 14 '18 at 15:11

Normally, you should create new migration where you just add new field. Method up should look like this:

public function up()
{
    Schema::table('test_table', function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->string('desc')->nullable()->after('name');
    });
}

Notice that you don't use here Schema::create but Schema::table to update existing table.

Of course if you haven't deployed your app and can start from scratch you can modify existing migration, but assuming you are not sure, the best way is to create new migration where you only modify existing table.

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 17 '18 at 11:48

You should do this in terminal run command

php artisan make:migration add_desc_field_in_test_table --table=test_table

Then, in the up() function in your migration file, create the field:

public function up()
{
    Schema::table('test_table', function (Blueprint $table) {
        $table->string('desc')->nullable();
    });
}

It will not mess the current table structure. It will just add the column desc in test_table.

How to add one column to a DB table with Laravel migrations?

2 Answers2